CVE-2016-0783 in OpenMeetings
Summary
by MITRE
The sendHashByUser function in Apache OpenMeetings before 3.1.1 generates predictable password reset tokens, which makes it easier for remote attackers to reset arbitrary user passwords by leveraging knowledge of a user name and the current system time.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0783 resides within the Apache OpenMeetings platform, specifically within the sendHashByUser function that handles password reset operations. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that directly impacts the authentication and authorization mechanisms of the system. The vulnerability affects versions prior to 3.1.1 and demonstrates a fundamental flaw in cryptographic token generation that undermines user account security. The issue stems from the predictable nature of password reset tokens, which creates a significant attack surface for malicious actors seeking unauthorized access to user accounts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the generation of password reset tokens using a predictable algorithm that relies on system time as a primary component. When an attacker knows a valid username and can approximate the system time, they can compute the corresponding password reset token and exploit it to reset arbitrary user passwords. This predictable token generation violates fundamental security principles for cryptographic operations and demonstrates poor implementation of random number generation. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-330, which addresses the use of insufficiently random values in security contexts, and specifically relates to the improper generation of cryptographic tokens that should remain unpredictable and unique for each password reset request.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to user accounts, potentially leading to data breaches, unauthorized communications, and complete compromise of user sessions. Attackers can systematically target multiple user accounts by leveraging the predictable nature of the tokens, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments with numerous user accounts. The attack vector requires only knowledge of valid usernames and approximate system time, which are often readily available through reconnaissance activities, social engineering, or previous successful attacks. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the OpenMeetings platform, as it allows unauthorized users to manipulate authentication mechanisms and potentially gain persistent access to sensitive meeting data and communications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-0783 require immediate deployment of the patched version 3.1.1 or later, which implements proper cryptographic token generation using cryptographically secure random number generators. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as rate limiting for password reset requests, enhanced monitoring for suspicious authentication activities, and multi-factor authentication to provide defense-in-depth. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper cryptographic implementation and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers credential harvesting through social engineering and automated attacks. System administrators should also conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify any other components that might be using similar predictable token generation methods, ensuring that the entire platform maintains robust cryptographic practices throughout all authentication flows.