CVE-2000-0093 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
An installation of Red Hat uses DES password encryption with crypt() for the initial password, instead of md5.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/20/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2000-0093 represents a significant cryptographic weakness in the Red Hat Linux installation process that persisted through the early 2000s. This issue specifically affects systems where the initial password setup utilizes the crypt() function with DES encryption rather than more secure hashing algorithms. The fundamental flaw lies in the choice of cryptographic primitive where DES-based encryption provides inadequate security compared to modern standards. This vulnerability demonstrates a critical oversight in system hardening practices where legacy cryptographic methods were retained despite known weaknesses in their security properties.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the use of the traditional crypt() function which, when configured with DES encryption, produces password hashes that are susceptible to brute force attacks and rainbow table attacks. The DES algorithm's 56-bit key space provides minimal resistance against modern computational capabilities, making password recovery relatively straightforward for attackers with sufficient resources. This weakness specifically impacts the initial password setup phase of Red Hat installations where the system fails to implement proper password hashing mechanisms. The vulnerability directly relates to CWE-327, which addresses the use of weak cryptographic algorithms, and demonstrates poor implementation of secure password storage practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple password security concerns to encompass broader system compromise risks. Systems vulnerable to this issue become susceptible to credential stuffing attacks where attackers can rapidly crack initial passwords using precomputed tables or parallel processing techniques. The weakness creates a persistent security gap that undermines the integrity of the entire system authentication framework, as compromised initial passwords can provide attackers with initial access points. This vulnerability also violates security best practices outlined in the NIST Special Publication 800-63B, which mandates the use of strong password hashing algorithms. The attack surface expands significantly when considering that many systems rely on these initial passwords for administrative access and service authentication.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2000-0093 require immediate implementation of cryptographic upgrades across affected Red Hat installations. Organizations must ensure that all password hashing mechanisms utilize modern algorithms such as SHA-256, SHA-512, or bcrypt instead of the deprecated DES-based crypt() function. The implementation should follow the principle of least privilege by enforcing strong password policies and regular password rotation schedules. System administrators should conduct comprehensive audits to identify all instances where DES encryption is still being used and replace these configurations with secure alternatives. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date cryptographic libraries and ensuring that system installation processes automatically implement secure default configurations. The remediation process should also include comprehensive testing to verify that all authentication mechanisms properly utilize strong cryptographic functions and that legacy DES implementations have been completely eliminated from system configurations.