CVE-2014-0083 in net-ldap gem
Summary
by MITRE
The Ruby net-ldap gem before 0.16.2 uses a weak salt when generating SSHA passwords.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/26/2024
The ruby net-ldap gem vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0083 represents a critical cryptographic weakness that undermines the security of password hashing implementations within ldap authentication systems. This vulnerability specifically affects versions of the net-ldap gem prior to 0.16.2 and stems from the improper generation of salt values during the creation of SSHA (Salted Secure Hash Algorithm) password hashes. The flaw occurs when the gem generates SSHA passwords using a predictable or insufficiently random salt, which fundamentally weakens the cryptographic protection mechanism designed to prevent rainbow table attacks and other password recovery techniques. SSHA hashing combines a cryptographic hash function with a random salt value to create unique password hashes that should be computationally infeasible to reverse engineer without the original password.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests in the gem's password generation routine where it fails to utilize cryptographically secure random number generation for salt creation. This weakness directly violates established security practices outlined in industry standards such as CWE-330, which addresses the use of insufficiently random values in cryptographic operations, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.003 which covers unsecured credentials. When weak salts are employed in SSHA password generation, attackers can significantly reduce the computational effort required to crack hashed passwords through precomputed tables or brute force methods. The predictable nature of the salt values allows adversaries to perform targeted attacks against specific user accounts, undermining the core security guarantees that SSHA hashing is designed to provide.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple password compromise to affect entire ldap authentication infrastructures that rely on the net-ldap gem for secure credential handling. Organizations using affected versions of the gem face increased risk of credential theft, unauthorized access to ldap directories, and potential lateral movement within network environments where ldap authentication is prevalent. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where ldap is commonly used for centralized authentication and user management, as compromised passwords can lead to widespread access to sensitive systems and data. Attackers leveraging this weakness can efficiently crack multiple password hashes simultaneously, as the weak salt structure eliminates the randomness that would normally make each hash unique and resistant to attack.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-0083 require immediate upgrading of the net-ldap gem to version 0.16.2 or later, which implements proper cryptographic salt generation. System administrators should conduct comprehensive inventory checks to identify all systems utilizing affected gem versions and ensure proper patching across all environments. Additional security measures include implementing multi-factor authentication to reduce the impact of compromised passwords, monitoring authentication logs for suspicious activity, and considering the migration to more modern authentication protocols that do not rely on vulnerable hashing implementations. Organizations should also review their overall cryptographic practices and ensure that all applications utilizing password hashing functions employ properly randomized salt values that meet industry standards for cryptographic security. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper random number generation in cryptographic implementations and the potential consequences of failing to address even seemingly minor weaknesses in security libraries.