CVE-2018-14657 in KeyCloak
Summary
by MITRE
A flaw was found in Keycloak 4.2.1.Final, 4.3.0.Final. When TOPT enabled, an improper implementation of the Brute Force detection algorithm will not enforce its protection measures.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/06/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-14657 resides within the Keycloak identity and access management platform, specifically affecting versions 4.2.1.Final and 4.3.0.Final. This flaw manifests in the implementation of brute force protection mechanisms when Time-based One-Time Password (TOTP) authentication is enabled. The issue represents a critical weakness in the authentication system's ability to defend against automated attack vectors that attempt to guess user credentials through repeated authentication attempts. Keycloak serves as a central authentication server for applications and services, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations relying on its security controls.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from an improper implementation of the brute force detection algorithm within the TOTP authentication workflow. When TOTP is enabled for user accounts, the system should enforce strict rate limiting and account lockout mechanisms to prevent attackers from systematically guessing valid authentication tokens. However, the flawed implementation fails to properly track failed authentication attempts or enforce the necessary protective measures that would normally be triggered after a predetermined number of unsuccessful login attempts. This allows malicious actors to continue attempting authentication without encountering the expected rate limiting or account lockout protections.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential guessing attacks, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of systems relying on Keycloak for authentication. Attackers can leverage this weakness to conduct prolonged brute force attacks against user accounts, potentially leading to account compromise, unauthorized system access, and subsequent data breaches. The vulnerability affects the core authentication flow, meaning that even legitimate users with valid TOTP tokens may be subject to extended attack windows. Organizations using Keycloak with TOTP enabled for sensitive applications face significant risk of unauthorized access, particularly in environments where automated attack tools are deployed.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a variant of CWE-307, which addresses improper restriction of excessive authenticated attempts, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1110.003 for Brute Force Attacks. The flaw demonstrates poor implementation of authentication controls that should normally be enforced at the authentication server level. Mitigation strategies include immediate upgrade to patched versions of Keycloak, implementation of additional network-level protections such as IP address rate limiting, and enhanced monitoring of authentication logs for suspicious activity patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication controls beyond TOTP, as well as establishing more robust account lockout policies that can be enforced independently of the vulnerable TOTP implementation. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of proper authentication flow implementation and the need for comprehensive security testing of authentication mechanisms before deployment in production environments.