CVE-2024-36049
📋 TL;DR
Aptos Wisal payroll accounting software before version 7.1.6 uses hardcoded credentials in its Windows client to retrieve all usernames and passwords from the database server over an unencrypted connection. This allows attackers in a machine-in-the-middle position to gain read/write access to sensitive payroll data and PII, and impersonate legitimate users in audit logs. Organizations using affected versions of Aptos Wisal are vulnerable.
💻 Affected Systems
- Aptos Wisal payroll accounting
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete compromise of all payroll data and PII, including salary information, personal details, and bank account numbers, with attackers able to modify data, create fraudulent transactions, and cover their tracks by impersonating legitimate users in audit logs.
Likely Case
Unauthorized access to sensitive payroll information and PII, potentially leading to data theft, privacy violations, and financial fraud through manipulation of payroll records.
If Mitigated
Limited exposure if network segmentation and encryption are properly implemented, though the hardcoded credentials remain a persistent risk if the software is not patched.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires network access to intercept unencrypted traffic between client and server. The hardcoded credentials make authentication trivial once traffic is intercepted.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 7.1.6
Vendor Advisory: https://www.redteam-pentesting.de/en/advisories/rt-sa-2023-007/
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download Aptos Wisal version 7.1.6 or later from the vendor. 2. Backup current installation and data. 3. Install the updated version following vendor instructions. 4. Restart the application and verify functionality.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Implement Network Encryption
allForce all database connections to use encrypted protocols like TLS/SSL to prevent credential interception.
Configure database server to require encrypted connections only
Update client configuration to use encrypted database connections
Network Segmentation
allIsolate the payroll system from untrusted networks to limit attack surface.
Implement firewall rules to restrict access to database server
Place payroll system in separate VLAN with strict access controls
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network segmentation to isolate the payroll system from other networks
- Deploy network monitoring and intrusion detection to alert on suspicious database access patterns
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check the Aptos Wisal version in the application's about or help menu. If version is below 7.1.6, the system is vulnerable.Check Version:
Check the application's about dialog or help > about menu in the Windows clientVerify Fix Applied:
Verify the application version shows 7.1.6 or higher after patching. Test database connections to confirm they are encrypted.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual database access patterns
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by successful access
- Database queries accessing user credential tables
Network Indicators:
- Unencrypted database traffic on network
- Unexpected connections to database server from unauthorized IPs
SIEM Query:
source="database_logs" AND (table="users" OR table="passwords") AND action="SELECT" FROM ip NOT IN [authorized_ips]