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CWE-328: Reversible One-Way Hash

 
Reversible One-Way Hash
Weakness ID: 328 (Weakness Base)Status: Draft
+ Description

Description Summary

The product uses a hashing algorithm that produces a hash value that can be used to determine the original input, or to find an input that can produce the same hash, more efficiently than brute force techniques.

Extended Description

This weakness is especially dangerous when the hash is used in security algorithms that require the one-way property to hold. For example, if an authentication system takes an incoming password and generates a hash, then compares the hash to another hash that it has stored in its authentication database, then the ability to create a collision could allow an attacker to provide an alternate password that produces the same target hash, bypassing authentication.

+ Time of Introduction
  • Architecture and Design
+ Applicable Platforms

Languages

All

+ Common Consequences
ScopeEffect
Access Control

Technical Impact: Bypass protection mechanism

+ Observed Examples
ReferenceDescription
CVE-2006-4068Hard-coded hashed values for username and password contained in client-side script, allowing brute-force offline attacks.
+ Potential Mitigations

Use a hash algorithm that is currently considered to be strong by experts in the field. MD-4 and MD-5 have known weaknesses. SHA-1 has also been broken.

+ Relationships
NatureTypeIDNameView(s) this relationship pertains toView(s)
ChildOfCategoryCategory310Cryptographic Issues
Development Concepts (primary)699
ChildOfWeakness ClassWeakness Class326Inadequate Encryption Strength
Research Concepts1000
ChildOfWeakness BaseWeakness Base327Use of a Broken or Risky Cryptographic Algorithm
Research Concepts (primary)1000
ChildOfCategoryCategory903SFP Cluster: Cryptography
Software Fault Pattern (SFP) Clusters (primary)888
+ Taxonomy Mappings
Mapped Taxonomy NameNode IDFitMapped Node Name
PLOVERReversible One-Way Hash
+ References
Alexander Sotirov et al.. "MD5 considered harmful today". <http://www.phreedom.org/research/rogue-ca/>.
[REF-7] Mark Dowd, John McDonald and Justin Schuh. "The Art of Software Security Assessment". Chapter 2, "Common Vulnerabilities of Integrity", Page 47.. 1st Edition. Addison Wesley. 2006.
+ Content History
Submissions
Submission DateSubmitterOrganizationSource
PLOVERExternally Mined
Modifications
Modification DateModifierOrganizationSource
2008-09-08CWE Content TeamMITREInternal
updated Relationships, Observed_Example, Taxonomy_Mappings
2008-10-14CWE Content TeamMITREInternal
updated Description
2009-01-12CWE Content TeamMITREInternal
updated Description, References
2009-10-29CWE Content TeamMITREInternal
updated Relationships
2011-06-01CWE Content TeamMITREInternal
updated Common_Consequences
2012-05-11CWE Content TeamMITREInternal
updated References, Related_Attack_Patterns, Relationships
Page Last Updated: May 14, 2012