CVE-2019-19766 in Server
Summary
by MITRE
The Bitwarden server through 1.32.0 has a potentially unwanted KDF.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2024
The Bitwarden server vulnerability CVE-2019-19766 identifies a potentially unwanted key derivation function (KDF) implementation within the server software version 1.32.0 and earlier. This flaw resides in the password-based key derivation process that the system employs to transform user passwords into cryptographic keys for encryption operations. The vulnerability specifically affects the server-side implementation where the KDF parameters may not meet modern cryptographic standards for password security.
The technical implementation of the KDF in this version of Bitwarden server demonstrates suboptimal security practices that could potentially weaken the protection of user credentials and encrypted data. The vulnerability stems from the use of a KDF that may employ insufficient computational complexity or inadequate parameter configurations that make the system more susceptible to brute force and dictionary attacks. This weakness directly impacts the server's ability to securely derive encryption keys from user passwords, potentially allowing attackers to more easily recover user data through cryptographic attacks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for organizations relying on Bitwarden server for credential management. The potentially unwanted KDF could enable attackers to perform faster password cracking operations against user accounts, particularly if the system stores user credentials using weak key derivation parameters. The impact extends beyond individual user accounts to potentially compromise the entire credential management infrastructure, especially when combined with other vulnerabilities or attack vectors that may exist within the server environment. Security professionals must consider this weakness as part of a broader threat landscape that could facilitate credential theft and unauthorized access to sensitive information.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of Bitwarden server where the KDF implementation has been corrected to meet current cryptographic standards. The remediation process should involve comprehensive testing to ensure that the updated KDF parameters provide adequate security against modern attack methodologies. Additionally, system administrators should review existing key derivation parameters and consider implementing stronger computational requirements for password hashing to prevent future vulnerabilities. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-327 which addresses the use of weak cryptographic algorithms and potentially vulnerable KDF implementations. The threat landscape for this vulnerability intersects with ATT&CK technique T1212 which focuses on exploitation of cryptographic weakness in credential storage systems. Organizations must also consider implementing additional security controls such as multi-factor authentication and regular security assessments to mitigate the risk of exploitation through weak key derivation functions.