CVE-2013-5960 in Enterprise Security API
Summary
by MITRE
The authenticated-encryption feature in the symmetric-encryption implementation in the OWASP Enterprise Security API (ESAPI) for Java 2.x before 2.1.1 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 the intended cipher mode in a non-default configuration, a different vulnerability than CVE-2013-5679.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/08/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-5960 affects the OWASP Enterprise Security API (ESAPI) for Java version 2.x before 2.1.1, specifically targeting the symmetric encryption implementation's authenticated encryption feature. This weakness resides in the cryptographic protection mechanisms designed to ensure both confidentiality and integrity of encrypted data. The issue manifests when the system employs non-default cipher mode configurations, creating a scenario where attackers can exploit flaws in the serialization process to manipulate encrypted data without detection. The vulnerability represents a significant concern for applications relying on ESAPI for secure data handling, as it undermines the fundamental security guarantees that authenticated encryption is intended to provide.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient resistance to tampering with serialized ciphertext within the encryption implementation. When data is encrypted using the affected ESAPI version, the serialized representation of the ciphertext becomes vulnerable to manipulation by attackers who can alter the encrypted data in ways that bypass the intended cryptographic protection mechanisms. This occurs particularly when non-default cipher modes are configured, which deviate from the standard security practices and create exploitable gaps in the authentication process. The vulnerability allows attackers to modify ciphertext without triggering integrity checks that should normally detect such alterations, effectively breaking the authenticated encryption model that should prevent unauthorized modifications to encrypted data.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables remote attackers to bypass intended cryptographic protections, potentially leading to data integrity compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The impact extends beyond simple data corruption, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to manipulate encrypted data in ways that might not be immediately detectable, creating a false sense of security while actual data integrity is compromised. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the level of the encryption implementation itself, meaning that any application using the affected ESAPI version could be susceptible to attacks that exploit this flaw. The attack vector requires authentication to the system, but once achieved, the attacker can leverage this weakness to compromise the cryptographic protections that should safeguard sensitive data.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weaknesses in authentication and integrity protection mechanisms, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1552.001 for unsecured credentials and T1071.004 for application layer protocol. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to ESAPI version 2.1.1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the serialized ciphertext tampering issue. Additional defensive measures should include regular security assessments of cryptographic implementations, proper configuration management to avoid non-default cipher modes when possible, and comprehensive monitoring for unauthorized modifications to encrypted data. Security teams should also consider implementing additional integrity checks beyond the built-in authenticated encryption features to provide defense-in-depth protection against similar vulnerabilities that might arise from improper cryptographic implementation practices.