CVE-2026-24034 in horilla
Summary
by MITRE • 01/22/2026
Horilla is a free and open source Human Resource Management System (HRMS). In versions prior to 1.5.0, a cross-site scripting vulnerability can be triggered because the extension and content-type are not checked during the profile photo update step. Version 1.5.0 fixes the issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/30/2026
The CVE-2026-24034 vulnerability affects Horilla, an open source Human Resource Management System, where a cross-site scripting flaw exists in versions prior to 1.5.0. This vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of file extensions and content types during the profile photo update process, creating a security gap that allows malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into the system. The flaw represents a classic input validation weakness that can be exploited through user interaction with the HRMS platform's file upload functionality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when users attempt to update their profile photographs through the web interface. The system fails to properly validate the file extensions and MIME content types of uploaded images, allowing attackers to upload files with potentially dangerous extensions or content that could execute malicious code in the context of other users' browsers. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws where untrusted data is improperly sanitized before being rendered in web pages. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in an HRMS environment where users may have elevated privileges or access to sensitive personnel data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it creates potential for more severe attacks within the HRMS ecosystem. An attacker could exploit this weakness to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or even perform actions on behalf of authenticated users within the system. Given that HRMS platforms typically contain sensitive employee information, this vulnerability could enable data exfiltration or privilege escalation attacks. The attack surface is amplified when considering that HRMS systems often integrate with other enterprise applications, potentially allowing lateral movement within organizational networks. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering attacks through malicious file attachments, and T1059 which involves executing malicious code through script injection.
The remediation for CVE-2026-24034 involves implementing proper file validation mechanisms in the profile photo upload functionality. Version 1.5.0 of Horilla addresses this issue by enforcing strict validation of file extensions and content types during the upload process. Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense including whitelisting allowed file extensions, performing MIME type verification, and implementing Content Security Policy headers to mitigate potential exploitation. Additionally, regular security audits of file upload functionalities should be conducted to ensure that similar validation gaps do not exist in other parts of the application. The fix demonstrates proper input sanitization and validation practices that align with secure coding guidelines and industry standards for preventing cross-site scripting vulnerabilities.