CVE-2011-4931 in gpw
Summary
by MITRE
gpw generates shorter passwords than required
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4931 affects the gpw password generation utility, which is commonly used in Unix-like operating systems for generating secure passwords. This flaw represents a significant weakness in cryptographic security practices as it directly impacts the strength and effectiveness of password generation mechanisms that organizations rely upon for system protection. The issue stems from the software's inability to produce passwords that meet minimum security requirements, creating a fundamental gap in authentication security measures.
The technical implementation flaw occurs when gpw attempts to generate passwords that fall short of the required minimum length specifications. This vulnerability manifests as a weakness in the password generation algorithm or parameter handling within the utility, where the system fails to enforce adequate entropy requirements or length constraints. The software's design does not properly validate or enforce minimum password complexity requirements, resulting in generated credentials that may be easily compromised through brute force or dictionary attacks. This represents a clear violation of security best practices and cryptographic standards that require sufficient randomness and length to ensure password strength.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple password generation failures, as it creates a cascading effect on system security posture. Organizations relying on gpw for automated password creation may unknowingly deploy weak credentials that provide attackers with easier entry points into their systems. The vulnerability can be exploited by threat actors who recognize the pattern of short passwords, potentially leading to unauthorized access, privilege escalation, or credential compromise across multiple systems. This weakness directly undermines the principle of least privilege and can facilitate lateral movement within networks where weak passwords serve as initial access vectors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-4931 should focus on immediate replacement or patching of affected gpw implementations with versions that properly enforce minimum password requirements. System administrators must conduct comprehensive audits to identify all instances where gpw is used for password generation and verify that generated credentials meet current security standards. The implementation of additional validation checks and entropy monitoring can help detect and prevent weak password generation. Organizations should also consider implementing centralized password policies that enforce minimum length requirements and complexity standards regardless of the generation tool used. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-326, which addresses inadequate encryption strength, and may be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1110.003 for credential stuffing and password spraying attacks that exploit weak credentials. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should include verification of password generation mechanisms to ensure compliance with minimum security requirements and prevent exploitation of this and similar weaknesses.