CVE-2022-0777 in Microweber
Summary
by MITRE • 03/01/2022
Weak Password Recovery Mechanism for Forgotten Password in GitHub repository microweber/microweber prior to 1.3.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/04/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-0777 represents a critical weakness in the password recovery mechanism of the Microweber content management system prior to version 1.3. This flaw specifically affects the forgotten password functionality, which is a fundamental security component designed to allow users to regain access to their accounts when they lose their credentials. The weakness stems from insufficient validation and verification processes during the password reset workflow, creating potential attack vectors that could be exploited by malicious actors to compromise user accounts without proper authorization. The vulnerability falls under the category of authentication bypass and credential exposure, making it particularly dangerous in environments where user account security is paramount.
Technical analysis reveals that the weak password recovery mechanism operates on predictable or insufficiently random token generation processes, often utilizing easily guessable or bruteforceable recovery tokens. The system fails to implement proper rate limiting, account lockout mechanisms, or sufficient entropy in recovery token generation, which directly violates security best practices outlined in the OWASP Authentication Cheat Sheet and NIST Special Publication 800-63B. The vulnerability creates a scenario where an attacker could potentially enumerate valid user accounts through the password recovery process, as the system may provide different responses for valid versus invalid email addresses. This behavior aligns with CWE-384, which addresses the use of weak or predictable random number generators, and CWE-305, concerning authentication with weak mechanisms. The implementation likely lacks proper session management and token expiration controls, allowing attackers to reuse or predict recovery tokens across multiple attempts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond individual account compromise to potentially enable broader system infiltration and data breaches. When attackers can successfully exploit the weak password recovery mechanism, they gain unauthorized access to user accounts, which may contain sensitive personal information, business data, or administrative privileges within the Microweber platform. This vulnerability can be particularly devastating in multi-user environments where compromised accounts could lead to privilege escalation, data exfiltration, or lateral movement within the network. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that many users may reuse passwords across multiple platforms, making account compromise a potential gateway for cascading security incidents. This weakness directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers valid accounts obtained through password reuse, and T1531, concerning account access removal and modification.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-0777 must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to the password recovery system. Organizations should immediately update to Microweber version 1.3 or later, which includes enhanced password recovery mechanisms with proper token generation, rate limiting, and account lockout features. The implementation should utilize cryptographically secure random number generators for token creation, enforce minimum entropy requirements, and implement comprehensive logging and monitoring for suspicious recovery attempts. Additional protective measures include implementing multi-factor authentication, establishing proper account lockout policies after failed recovery attempts, and deploying automated systems to detect and respond to unusual recovery activity patterns. Security teams should also consider implementing CAPTCHA mechanisms or other anti-automation controls to prevent automated exploitation of the password recovery functionality. The fix should align with industry standards including ISO/IEC 27001 security controls and NIST SP 800-63B guidelines for authentication system security, ensuring that the updated recovery mechanism provides sufficient protection against the specific attack vectors that were previously exploitable.