CVE-2013-5679 in ESAPI
Summary
by MITRE
The authenticated-encryption feature in the symmetric-encryption implementation in the OWASP Enterprise Security API (ESAPI) for Java 2.x before 2.1.0 does not properly resist tampering with serialized ciphertext, which makes it easier for remote attackers to bypass intended cryptographic protection mechanisms via an attack against authenticity in the default configuration, involving a null MAC and a zero MAC length.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/25/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-5679 resides within the OWASP Enterprise Security API (ESAPI) for Java version 2.x prior to 2.1.0, specifically affecting the symmetric encryption implementation's authenticated encryption feature. This flaw represents a critical weakness in cryptographic protection mechanisms that undermines the integrity and authenticity guarantees typically expected from properly implemented authenticated encryption schemes. The vulnerability manifests when the system fails to adequately validate the authenticity of serialized ciphertext data, creating an exploitable condition that allows attackers to manipulate encrypted data without detection.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper implementation of message authentication codes within the encryption framework. When the ESAPI encryption module processes ciphertext data, it fails to maintain robust integrity checks that would normally prevent tampering with the encrypted data. The flaw becomes particularly pronounced when the system operates with default configurations that utilize null MAC values and zero-length MAC fields, effectively removing the cryptographic authentication layer that should protect against modification attacks. This implementation error creates a scenario where attackers can manipulate the ciphertext structure while maintaining the appearance of valid encrypted data, thereby bypassing the intended cryptographic protections.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to applications relying on ESAPI for encryption services, as it allows remote attackers to perform authenticated encryption bypass attacks without requiring authentication credentials. The impact extends beyond simple data corruption, as successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized data manipulation, potential information disclosure, and compromise of the confidentiality and integrity assurances that organizations expect from their cryptographic implementations. The default configuration nature of this vulnerability means that even properly configured applications using ESAPI may remain susceptible until the affected version is updated, creating a widespread exposure across systems utilizing this security library.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weaknesses related to insufficient authentication, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the Cryptography category. Specifically, this flaw enables techniques such as ciphertext manipulation and authentication bypass that can be leveraged to compromise encrypted data integrity. Organizations using affected versions of ESAPI should prioritize immediate patching to address this vulnerability, as the default configuration exposes systems to attacks that require no specialized knowledge or access privileges beyond basic network connectivity. The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to ESAPI version 2.1.0 or later, where the authenticated encryption implementation properly validates ciphertext integrity and enforces robust message authentication code verification to prevent tampering attacks.