CVE Alert: CVE-2025-9475 – SourceCodester – Human Resource Information System

Risk verdict

High risk of remote, unauthenticated file upload leading to potential remote code execution; PoC exists and exploitation is plausible—treat as priority if KEV or EPSS data indicate active exploitation.

Why this matters

Compromise could give an attacker web access to the HRIS, expose or alter personnel records, and enable further server compromise or data exfiltration. The impact spans confidentiality, integrity and availability of sensitive HR data, with potential regulatory consequences and downtime for payroll or personnel processes.

Most likely attack path

An attacker can reach a network-accessible endpoint that accepts file uploads, submit a crafted payload via the unrestricted parameter, and place a malicious script in the web root. No authentication or user interaction is required, enabling rapid development of a web shell or data tampering tool; post-exploitation activities may include lateral movement within the app’s host or adjacent services.

Who is most exposed

Publicly exposed or poorly gated SourceCodester HRIS deployments, especially those hosted on internet-facing servers or shared hosting with web-upload capabilities, are at highest risk; environments lacking strict input validation and upload controls are most vulnerable.

Detection ideas

• Anomalous POSTs to the upload endpoint with suspicious file types or oversized payloads.
• New or modified PHP/.php files appearing in web root shortly after upload attempts.
• Repeated upload attempts from single sources or unusual user-agent strings targeting editemployee_process.php.
• Auth logs showing access to the admin path without valid credentials (where applicable).
• WAF/IDS alerts for unrestricted file upload patterns and known payload signatures.

Mitigation and prioritisation

• Patch or upgrade to fixed version; if unavailable, implement strict input validation and disable unrestricted uploads; use whitelisting of allowed file types and sizes.
• Enforce strong access controls on the upload endpoint; require authentication and least-privilege execution context.
• Implement server-side scanning, sandbox execution for uploads, and disable direct execution of uploaded files; apply web application firewall rules aimed at file upload abuse.
• Deploy in a controlled change window; ensure backups and rollback plans.
• If KEV is true or EPSS ≥ 0.5, treat as priority 1; otherwise maintain high-priority remediation and monitoring until confirmed mitigations are in place.