CVE-2026-24038: Horilla HR has 2FA Bypass through its OTP Handling Logic
Horilla is a free and open source Human Resource Management System (HRMS). In version 1.4.0, the OTP handling logic has a flawed equality check that can be bypassed. When an OTP expires, the server returns None, and if an attacker omits the otp field from their POST request, the user-supplied OTP is also None, causing the comparison userotp == otp to pass. This allows an attacker to bypass two-factor authentication entirely without ever providing a valid OTP. If administrative accounts are targeted, it could lead to compromise of sensitive HR data, manipulation of employee records, and further system-wide abuse. This issue has been fixed in version 1.5.0.
Affected Software
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2026-24038?
CVE-2026-24038 is classified as a high severity vulnerability due to its potential for allowing unauthorized access.
How do I fix CVE-2026-24038?
To fix CVE-2026-24038, upgrade to Horilla HR version 1.5.0 or later where the OTP handling logic has been corrected.
What systems are affected by CVE-2026-24038?
CVE-2026-24038 affects Horilla HR version 1.4.0 and earlier versions.
Can CVE-2026-24038 be exploited remotely?
Yes, CVE-2026-24038 can be exploited remotely, allowing attackers to bypass two-factor authentication.
What impact does CVE-2026-24038 have on user accounts?
CVE-2026-24038 could potentially allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to user accounts by bypassing the two-factor authentication mechanism.