CVE-2013-1649 in Server
Summary
by MITRE
Open-Xchange Server before 6.20.7 rev14, 6.22.0 before rev13, and 6.22.1 before rev14 uses the crypt and SHA-1 algorithms for password hashing, which makes it easier for context-dependent attackers to obtain cleartext passwords via a brute-force attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-1649 affects Open-Xchange Server versions prior to specific revision numbers, creating a significant security weakness in password protection mechanisms. This issue resides in the server's authentication system where it employs outdated cryptographic algorithms for password hashing, specifically the crypt function and SHA-1 algorithm. The weakness stems from the use of these inherently insecure hashing methods that do not provide adequate protection against modern cryptanalytic attacks. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-327, which addresses the use of weak cryptographic algorithms, and represents a critical flaw in the server's security architecture that directly impacts user authentication integrity.
The technical flaw manifests in the server's password storage implementation where passwords are hashed using the crypt function and SHA-1 algorithm rather than more secure modern alternatives such as bcrypt, scrypt, or PBKDF2. The crypt function, while historically used for password hashing, lacks the necessary computational complexity and salt mechanisms to resist brute-force attacks effectively. SHA-1, despite being a cryptographic hash function, has known weaknesses that make it vulnerable to collision attacks and has been deprecated for security-sensitive applications since 2005. This combination creates a scenario where attackers can systematically attempt to reverse-engineer password hashes through brute-force methods, significantly reducing the time and computational resources required to obtain cleartext passwords from the hashed representations stored in the server's database.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple authentication bypasses, creating substantial risks for organizations relying on Open-Xchange Server for email and collaboration services. Attackers with context-dependent access to the password hash database can leverage the weak hashing algorithms to perform dictionary attacks, rainbow table lookups, and brute-force operations against user credentials. The vulnerability affects all user accounts that utilize the affected server versions, potentially compromising entire user bases if attackers gain access to the password storage mechanisms. This weakness particularly impacts environments where user credentials are not protected by additional security layers such as multi-factor authentication, making the compromise of individual accounts more likely and more damaging to overall organizational security posture.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to patched versions of Open-Xchange Server, specifically versions 6.20.7 rev14, 6.22.0 rev13, and 6.22.1 rev14, to remediate this vulnerability. The recommended mitigation strategy involves implementing strong password hashing mechanisms that utilize modern cryptographic standards including bcrypt, scrypt, or PBKDF2 with sufficient iteration counts. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive password resets for all affected user accounts and implement additional authentication controls such as multi-factor authentication to reduce the risk of credential compromise. The vulnerability's presence in the authentication layer makes it particularly dangerous as it can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive email communications, calendar data, and other collaboration resources stored within the Open-Xchange environment. This issue demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date cryptographic implementations and adheres to ATT&CK technique T1110.003 for Brute Force, highlighting the necessity of robust password protection mechanisms to prevent credential compromise through systematic attack methods.