CVE-2016-2379 in Pidgin
Summary
by MITRE
The Mxit protocol uses weak encryption when encrypting user passwords, which might allow attackers to (1) decrypt hashed passwords by leveraging knowledge of client registration codes or (2) gain login access by eavesdropping on login messages and re-using the hashed passwords.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/23/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2379 represents a critical weakness in the Mxit messaging protocol's cryptographic implementation that fundamentally compromises user authentication security. This flaw resides in the protocol's handling of password encryption during the registration and login processes, creating multiple attack vectors that can be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability specifically targets the encryption mechanisms used to protect user credentials, undermining the foundational security assumptions that users and service providers rely upon for secure communication.
The technical implementation flaw stems from the use of weak cryptographic algorithms and improper key management within the Mxit protocol's authentication framework. When users register or log in to the service, their passwords are processed through encryption methods that do not provide adequate protection against reverse engineering or interception attacks. The vulnerability becomes particularly pronounced when attackers can obtain client registration codes, which when combined with the weak encryption implementation, enable the decryption of password hashes. This weakness directly maps to CWE-327, which addresses the use of weak cryptographic algorithms, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 for credential access through network sniffing and credential reuse.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple authentication bypasses, creating a comprehensive security breach that can result in widespread unauthorized access to user accounts. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can eavesdrop on network traffic to capture login messages containing hashed passwords, then reuse these credentials across multiple sessions or systems. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it does not require sophisticated tools or extensive resources to exploit, making it accessible to threat actors with basic network monitoring capabilities. This vulnerability essentially creates a backdoor that allows attackers to compromise user accounts without needing to perform complex password cracking or social engineering attacks, significantly reducing the attack complexity and increasing the likelihood of successful exploitation.
Organizations and security professionals should prioritize immediate remediation of this vulnerability by implementing strong cryptographic standards that comply with industry best practices and regulatory requirements. The mitigation strategy must include upgrading to robust encryption algorithms such as AES-256 with proper key management protocols, implementing secure password hashing mechanisms like bcrypt or PBKDF2, and establishing proper network monitoring to detect and prevent credential interception. Additionally, the implementation of multi-factor authentication should be considered as a compensating control to reduce the overall risk exposure. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of cryptographic implementation reviews and adherence to established security frameworks such as NIST Special Publication 800-57 for cryptographic key management and the OWASP Top Ten for secure coding practices. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and traffic encryption to prevent eavesdropping attacks that could be leveraged to exploit similar weaknesses in other protocols or services.