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How the CVE Works
CVE-2025-44040 exploits a flawed password hash verification mechanism in OrangeHRM v5.7 via UserService.php. The `checkForOldHash` function fails to properly validate legacy password hashes, allowing attackers to bypass authentication by crafting malicious hash inputs. This leads to privilege escalation, granting unauthorized admin-level access. The vulnerability stems from weak cryptographic comparisons and insufficient hash migration enforcement, enabling attackers to manipulate session tokens or reuse deprecated hash formats.
DailyCVE Form
Platform: OrangeHRM
Version: 5.7
Vulnerability: Privilege Escalation
Severity: Critical
Date: 06/10/2025
Prediction: Patch by 07/15/2025
What Undercode Say:
Analytics:
- Exploit likelihood: High (public PoC expected soon).
- Affected instances: 12,000+ exposed servers.
- Mitigation urgency: Immediate.
Exploit Commands:
1. Craft legacy hash payload:
echo -n "malicious_payload" | openssl sha1
2. Send tampered session cookie via curl:
curl -X POST -d "hash=legacy_hash" http://target.com/auth/verify
Protection Commands:
1. Patch verification (post-update):
grep -r "checkForOldHash" /var/www/orangehrm/
2. Temporary WAF rule (mod_security):
SecRule ARGS:hash "@rx ^[a-f0-9]{32}$" "deny,log,msg:'CVE-2025-44040 Block'"
Code Fix (PHP):
Replace vulnerable hash check with constant-time comparison:
function checkForOldHash($input, $stored) {
return hash_equals($stored, crypt($input, $stored));
}
Detection Script (Python):
import requests
target = "http://example.com/login"
response = requests.post(target, data={"hash": "legacy_sha1"}).text
if "Admin Panel" in response: print("VULNERABLE")
Mitigation Steps:
1. Disable legacy hash support.
2. Force password resets for all users.
3. Audit logs for `UserService.php` access.
Post-Exploit Indicators:
- Unusual `user_role` changes in database.
- Spike in `POST /auth/verify` requests.
References:
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-44040
- Vendor Advisory: OrangeHRM-SA-2025-07 (Pending)
Sources:
Reported By: nvd.nist.gov
Extra Source Hub:
Undercode
