CVE-2014-9970 in jasypt
Summary
by MITRE
jasypt before 1.9.2 allows a timing attack against the password hash comparison.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/06/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9970 affects the jasypt library version 1.9.2 and earlier, representing a significant security flaw that exposes applications to timing attacks during password hash comparison operations. This issue specifically impacts the library's implementation of cryptographic hash verification processes, where the comparison between expected and actual password hashes occurs in a manner susceptible to timing analysis. The vulnerability stems from the library's use of a non-constant time comparison algorithm, which inadvertently reveals information about the password through measurable differences in execution time. Attackers can exploit this weakness by carefully monitoring the time required for authentication responses, potentially deducing the correct password through statistical analysis of timing variations. This flaw directly violates fundamental security principles for cryptographic operations and represents a clear violation of the constant-time algorithm requirements specified in industry standards.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the password hashing and verification components of jasypt, where the library compares computed password hashes against stored values using a comparison method that varies execution time based on the position of mismatched characters. This timing variation creates a side-channel attack vector that allows adversaries to perform brute force attacks with significantly reduced computational overhead compared to traditional methods. The flaw manifests when the library processes authentication requests, particularly during password verification phases, where the time difference between successful and failed comparisons provides attackers with information about the correct password characters. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-203, which specifically addresses the disclosure of information through timing variations, and represents a classic example of how seemingly minor implementation details can create substantial security weaknesses in cryptographic systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-9970 extends beyond simple authentication bypasses, as it enables sophisticated attackers to systematically determine valid passwords through automated timing analysis tools. Applications utilizing vulnerable versions of jasypt become susceptible to credential stuffing attacks, where attackers can leverage timing information to optimize their password guessing efforts. The vulnerability affects any system relying on jasypt for password hashing and verification, including web applications, enterprise systems, and mobile applications that implement the library for secure credential storage. Organizations running affected software may experience unauthorized access to user accounts, data breaches, and potential compromise of sensitive information stored within systems that depend on insecure password comparison mechanisms. This vulnerability also impacts compliance with security standards such as pci dss, which require robust cryptographic implementations that do not expose sensitive information through side channels.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-9970 primarily involve upgrading to jasypt version 1.9.2 or later, where the library implements constant-time comparison algorithms that eliminate the timing attack surface. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all applications and systems utilizing vulnerable versions of the library, followed by immediate remediation through version updates. Additionally, organizations should implement monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous authentication timing patterns, serving as an additional layer of defense. The remediation process should include thorough testing of updated libraries to ensure compatibility with existing applications, while also reviewing other cryptographic implementations within the organization for similar timing attack vulnerabilities. Security controls should be enhanced to include regular vulnerability scanning of dependencies, automated patch management processes, and adherence to security best practices that emphasize constant-time algorithm implementations. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper cryptographic implementation and the necessity of following established security frameworks such as those defined in the mitre att&ck framework, specifically targeting the credential access and defense evasion techniques that leverage timing side channels.