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OpenCATS EUVDEUVD-2026-33502

| CVE-2026-49490 HIGH
SQL Injection (CWE-89)
2026-05-31 VulnCheck GHSA-6wcv-mwf3-2vmh
8.6
CVSS 4.0 · Vendor: VulnCheck
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Attack ChainAIDerived

Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain

  1. Access
    Obtain low-privilege OpenCATS credentials
  2. Delivery
    Authenticate to Candidates DataGrid
  3. Exploit
    Intercept filter request
  4. Execution
    Inject SQL targeting Tags column
  5. Persist
    Bypass filterable restriction server-side
  6. Impact
    Exfiltrate or modify candidate database records

Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A05:2025 - Injection
ASVS 5.0
V1 - Encoding and Sanitization Parameterized queries, prepared statements
MITRE ATT&CK

2 techniques across 2 tactics: Initial Access, Persistence

The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up.

Exploitation Conditions

Attacker must possess valid authenticated credentials to the OpenCATS web application (CVSS PR:L) and be able to reach the Candidates DataGrid filtering endpoint over the network; the specific trigger is a crafted DataGrid filter request that targets the Tags column, which is normally marked non-filterable in the UI but is not enforced server-side. Exploitation requires OpenCATS at version 0.9.1a or later and does not require user interaction, administrative privileges, or any non-default configuration. The main limiting factor is the authentication requirement - internet-exposed OpenCATS instances without registration controls effectively reduce this to a near-unauthenticated condition, while instances limited to internal SSO meaningfully constrain the attacker pool.

Impact

The CVSS 4.0 vector (AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N) reflects a network-reachable, low-complexity attack requiring low privileges and no user interaction, with high confidentiality and integrity impact and no availability impact - consistent with a classic authenticated SQLi reaching sensitive recruitment data. EPSS data was not provided, and the CVE is not in CISA KEV, so there is no evidence of mass or targeted exploitation yet. Authentication is required (PR:L), which lowers real-world risk versus an unauthenticated SQLi, but OpenCATS deployments commonly grant low-privilege recruiter or interviewer accounts to many internal users, so the bar to obtain qualifying credentials is realistically low. Overall this is a credible priority for any organization running OpenCATS 0.9.1a or later, even without exploitation telemetry.

Exploit ScenarioDerived

An attacker with any valid low-privilege OpenCATS account (for example, a basic recruiter or interviewer login) navigates to the Candidates DataGrid and intercepts the filter request, then modifies it to apply a filter against the non-filterable Tags column containing a SQL payload such as a UNION SELECT. The server-side handler ignores the UI's filterable restriction, concatenates the payload into the underlying query, and returns or modifies arbitrary database contents - exposing candidate PII, resumes, and credentials stored in the ATS. No public exploit identified at time of analysis, but the path is straightforward given the documented bypass.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Why: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9).
No patch listed yet 0.0% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAIv3 – May 31, 2026

SQL injection in OpenCATS 0.9.1a and later allows authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary SQL queries against the backend database by abusing DataGrid filter handling on the Candidates module's Tags column. The flaw bypasses the application's column filterable restrictions, enabling data theft or modification of the recruitment platform's stored candidate records. No public exploit identified at time of analysis, and the issue is not listed in CISA KEV.

Earlier versions of this analysis (2)
v2 May 31, 2026 - 13:29 cvss changed CVSS 8.6

SQL injection in OpenCATS 0.9.1a and later allows authenticated users to execute arbitrary database queries by abusing the DataGrid filter handler for the Candidates module's Tags column. The flaw bypasses the application's column-filterability allowlist, letting any logged-in user reach the underlying database despite the Tags column being marked non-filterable. No public exploit identified at time of analysis, but the vulnerability was reported by VulnCheck and a vendor security advisory has been published on GitHub.

v1 May 31, 2026 - 13:00 CVSS 8.1

Authenticated SQL injection in OpenCATS 0.9.1a and later enables attackers with valid application credentials to bypass DataGrid column filterability restrictions and execute arbitrary SQL queries via crafted filter requests targeting the Tags column of the Candidates DataGrid. The flaw, reported by VulnCheck and tracked in GHSA-gmpc-j6h7-vw74, carries a CVSS 8.1 (high) rating due to high confidentiality and integrity impact on the backend database. No public exploit identified at time of analysis and the vulnerability is not listed in CISA KEV.

RemediationAI

Upstream fix available per the GitHub Security Advisory (GHSA-gmpc-j6h7-vw74); a released patched version is not independently confirmed in the provided data, so administrators should consult the advisory at https://github.com/opencats/OpenCATS/security/advisories/GHSA-gmpc-j6h7-vw74 and apply the latest available OpenCATS release or commit referenced there. As compensating controls while patching, restrict access to the OpenCATS Candidates DataGrid endpoints to trusted networks via reverse proxy or VPN, enforce least-privilege role assignments so fewer accounts can reach the Candidates view, and place a WAF rule in front of the application that blocks SQL metacharacters in DataGrid filter parameters targeting the Tags column - noting the WAF rule may break legitimate searches containing quotes or semicolons. Also rotate database credentials and review query logs for evidence of prior filter-based SQLi against the Tags column.

Affected VersionsENISA

OpenCATS 0 ≤0.9.1a

Affected Packages

euvd opencats no fix

Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)

Affects your stack

Affects 1 package in euvd

Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.

Technical ContextAI · show details

OpenCATS is an open-source candidate Applicant Tracking System (ATS) written in PHP, identified by CPE cpe:2.3:a:opencats:opencats. The root cause is CWE-89 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command), specifically within the DataGrid filtering component used to render and query candidate listings. The Tags column is marked non-filterable in the UI, but the server-side handler fails to enforce that restriction and concatenates attacker-controlled filter parameters into a SQL query, so a crafted filter request targeting Tags reaches the database with unsanitized input.

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  • Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources

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Severity by source

Vendor (VulnCheck) PRIMARY 8.6 HIGH
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N

Primary rating from Vendor (VulnCheck) · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorVendor: VulnCheck

Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
Low
Attack Requirements
None
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Vulnerable system: Confidentiality
High
Vulnerable system: Integrity
High
Vulnerable system: Availability
None
Subsequent system: Confidentiality
None
Subsequent system: Integrity
None
Subsequent system: Availability
None

Lifecycle Timeline

3
Analysis Updated
May 31, 2026 - 13:29 vuln.today
v3 - CVSS changed
Analysis Updated
May 31, 2026 - 13:29 vuln.today
v2 - CVSS changed
CVSS changed
May 31, 2026 - 13:22 NVD
8.1 (HIGH) 8.6 (HIGH)

DescriptionCVE.org

OpenCATS from version 0.9.1a contains an SQL injection vulnerability in DataGrid filter handling that allows authenticated attackers to inject SQL through crafted filters targeting the non-filterable Tags column in the Candidates DataGrid. Attackers can bypass column filterable restrictions by manipulating filter requests to execute arbitrary SQL queries against the database.

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

OpenCATS recruitment platform (versions 0.9.1a and later) contains a SQL injection vulnerability in the Candidates module that could allow authorized users to access and modify sensitive candidate records without restriction. Any organization using this platform faces immediate data breach risk involving confidential recruitment information. No vendor patch is currently available, requiring prompt interim protections.

Business Impact: High
Compensating Controls

No vendor-released patch identified at time of analysis. Implement: (1) Web Application Firewall with SQL injection prevention signatures; (2) database query logging and real-time monitoring for anomalous activity; (3) database service account credentials with minimal required privileges and query scope; (4) principle of least privilege for user access to the Candidates module; (5) data recovery procedures validated through regular backup testing.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.0%
Top 92% exploitable
Social Media
2
Sightings
Data Quality
7 sources
Confidence: High
EUVD NVD CVE.org EPSS Vulnrichment CIRCL GitHub VulDB

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue
Severity HIGH
CISA KEV No
Public POC No
EPSS 0.0%
Patch available No
Active threat No
Deciding rule
HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9)
What every action level means
Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.
Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.
This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.
This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.
Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision
Scheduled
Exploitation
None
System Exposure· derived
Open
Automatable
No
Human Impact
High
Technical Impact
Total

Priority Score

43
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: 0
CVSS: +43
PoC: 0
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

SQL injection exploits the way applications construct database queries by mixing user input directly into SQL statements.

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CVE-2021-25294 CRITICAL POC
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OpenCATS 0.9.4 contains a remote code execution vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary

CVE-2026-49489 HIGH POC
8.4 May 31

SQL injection in OpenCATS through 0.9.7.4 allows authenticated users to extract arbitrary database contents by injecting

CVE-2019-13358 HIGH POC
7.5 Jul 05

lib/DocumentToText.php in OpenCats before 0.9.4-3 has XXE that allows remote users to read files on the underlying opera

CVE-2022-43023 MEDIUM POC
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OpenCATS v0.9.6 was discovered to contain a SQL injection vulnerability via the importID parameter in the Import viewerr

CVE-2022-43022 MEDIUM POC
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OpenCATS v0.9.6 was discovered to contain a SQL injection vulnerability via the tag_id variable in the Tag deletion func

CVE-2022-43021 MEDIUM POC
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OpenCATS v0.9.6 was discovered to contain a SQL injection vulnerability via the entriesPerPage variable. Rated medium se

CVE-2022-43020 MEDIUM POC
6.5 Oct 19

OpenCATS v0.9.6 was discovered to contain a SQL injection vulnerability via the tag_id variable in the Tag update functi

CVE-2023-27293 MEDIUM POC
6.1 Feb 28

Improper neutralization of input during web page generation allows an unauthenticated attacker to submit malicious Javas

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