CVE-2024-1346 in LaborOfficeFree
Summary
by MITRE • 02/19/2024
Weak MySQL database root password in LaborOfficeFree affects version 19.10. This vulnerability allows an attacker to calculate the root password of the MySQL database used by LaborOfficeFree using two constants.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-1346 represents a critical security flaw in the LaborOfficeFree software version 19.10 that stems from the use of weak authentication credentials within its MySQL database implementation. This weakness specifically targets the root user account which serves as the highest privileged administrative account within the database system. The vulnerability arises from the predictable nature of the root password generation mechanism, where attackers can derive the password using only two hardcoded constants embedded within the application code. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-521 weakness category which specifically addresses weak password requirements and predictable password generation algorithms. The implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple credential theft as it provides attackers with complete administrative control over the database infrastructure that supports the LaborOfficeFree application.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through reverse engineering of the application's source code or binary components where the two constants used in password calculation are discovered. These constants typically represent hardcoded values or mathematical relationships that when combined through specific algorithms produce the predictable root password. This approach violates fundamental security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten 2021 under A07:2021 - Identification and Authentication Failures, where weak authentication mechanisms enable unauthorized access to sensitive systems. The attack vector primarily involves either code analysis or reverse engineering techniques that allow an attacker to extract these constants from the deployed application. Once obtained, the attacker can compute the root password and subsequently gain unrestricted access to all database contents, including sensitive employee information, payroll records, and other confidential data processed by the LaborOfficeFree system.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-1346 extends far beyond immediate unauthorized database access as it creates a persistent backdoor that enables attackers to maintain long-term presence within the organization's infrastructure. This vulnerability creates a pathway for attackers to perform data exfiltration, modify critical database records, and potentially escalate privileges to other system components within the network. The weakness directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 which describes Valid Accounts usage specifically targeting database accounts with elevated privileges. Organizations using LaborOfficeFree version 19.10 face significant risk of data breaches and compliance violations, particularly in regulated environments where employee data protection is mandated. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate database but also the broader security posture of systems that rely on the application for labor management and payroll processing functions, potentially exposing sensitive personal and financial information of employees.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-1346 require immediate action to address the root cause of the predictable password generation. The most effective remediation involves implementing proper password generation mechanisms that utilize cryptographically secure random number generators and avoid hardcoded constants in the application code. Organizations should deploy a comprehensive patch management program that includes updating to a fixed version of LaborOfficeFree that eliminates the predictable password algorithm. Security controls should also include monitoring for unauthorized access attempts and implementing network segmentation to limit the impact of potential database compromises. Additionally, the implementation of principle of least privilege access controls, regular password rotation policies, and database activity monitoring solutions can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper credential management as outlined in NIST SP 800-53 security controls, particularly those related to access control and system configuration management. Organizations must also consider implementing database firewall solutions and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious database activities that may indicate exploitation attempts.