CVE-2023-46233CWE-328CWE-916

crypto-js PBKDF2 1,000 times weaker than specified in 1993 and 1.3M times weaker than current standard

Critical · published October 25, 2023

CVSS v3.1
9.1
EPSS
1%
Percentile
49.8
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

🔥 A mind-blowingly weak password hashing method is lurking in crypto-js versions prior to 4.2.0! Think of PBKDF2 as a vault that only requires a single twist of the lock to open — an invitation for trouble! In a world where vaults should require many turns to keep intruders out, this one is all too easy to crack. If your application relies on this outdated PBKDF2 implementation to protect passwords or generate signatures, an attacker could easily gain access to sensitive information or impersonate users. With the hashing method being 1,000 times weaker than intended, the implications are absolutely devastating!

Put simply

Think of PBKDF2 as a vault that only requires a single twist of the lock to open — an invitation for trouble! In a world where vaults should require many turns to keep intruders out, this one is all too easy to crack. This vulnerability arises from crypto-js defaulting to SHA1 and using just one iteration for PBKDF2, making it incredibly easy to bypass password security measures and execute collision attacks.

What to do

If your application relies on this outdated PBKDF2 implementation to protect passwords or generate signatures, an attacker could easily gain access to sensitive information or impersonate users. With the hashing method being 1,000 times weaker than intended, the implications are absolutely devastating! Upgrade crypto-js to version 4.2.0 immediately to patch this vulnerability. Alternatively, configure it to use SHA256 with at least 250,000 iterations for enhanced security. Don't delay on this one! You've got this! Follow these steps, and you'll bolster your application's defenses in no time! 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS v3.1
9.1 · CRITICAL
Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.00635 · 49.8th percentile
Weaknesses
CWE-328 · Use of Weak Hash; CWE-916 · Use of Password Hash With Insufficient Computational Effort
Published
2023-10-25T20:49Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 25 OCT 20:49Z
    crypto-js PBKDF2 1,000 times weaker than specified in 1993 and 1.3M times weaker than current standard
    cvelistv5