CVE-2021-41993 in PingID
Summary
by MITRE • 05/01/2022
A misconfiguration of RSA in PingID Android app prior to 1.19 is vulnerable to pre-computed dictionary attacks, leading to an offline MFA bypass when using PingID Windows Login.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-41993 represents a critical security flaw in the RSA authentication implementation within the PingID Android application version 1.18 and earlier. This misconfiguration specifically affects the mobile application's handling of RSA tokens and creates a pathway for attackers to exploit pre-computed dictionary attacks that can ultimately result in an offline multi-factor authentication bypass. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it undermines the fundamental security assumptions of the two-factor authentication system, allowing unauthorized access to protected resources.
The technical root cause stems from improper implementation of RSA cryptographic operations within the Android application's authentication flow. When users employ PingID Windows Login functionality, the Android app generates RSA tokens that should provide strong cryptographic security. However, the vulnerability arises from the application's failure to properly randomize or validate the RSA parameters during token generation, creating predictable patterns that enable attackers to perform pre-computed dictionary attacks. This flaw aligns with CWE-327, which addresses the use of weak cryptographic algorithms or improper implementation of cryptographic functions. The vulnerability specifically impacts the cryptographic strength of the authentication tokens, making them susceptible to offline attacks that do not require real-time network connectivity to the authentication server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple authentication bypass to potentially compromise entire enterprise environments where PingID Windows Login is deployed. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to systems and applications without requiring the legitimate user's password or physical possession of the authentication device. This creates a significant risk for organizations that rely on PingID as part of their multi-factor authentication strategy, particularly in environments where Windows domain authentication is prevalent. The offline nature of the attack means that traditional network-based detection mechanisms may not identify the compromise, as the attack occurs entirely within the mobile application's local environment. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1550.001, which covers the use of valid credentials for lateral movement, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to move laterally within a network after gaining initial access.
The security implications of CVE-2021-41993 are particularly severe given that it affects the foundational security of the authentication process itself. Organizations utilizing PingID Windows Login functionality should immediately implement mitigation strategies including updating to version 1.19 or later of the PingID Android application, which contains the necessary cryptographic fixes. Additionally, security teams should conduct comprehensive audits of their authentication infrastructure to identify any potential exploitation attempts and implement enhanced monitoring for unusual authentication patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper cryptographic implementation in mobile authentication applications and highlights the need for thorough security testing of authentication mechanisms before deployment in production environments. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as adaptive authentication policies and continuous monitoring of authentication events to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain overall security posture against such sophisticated attacks.