CVE-2022-1236 in growi
Summary
by MITRE • 04/05/2022
Weak Password Requirements in GitHub repository weseek/growi prior to v5.0.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-1236 represents a critical weakness in the authentication security mechanisms of the Growi collaboration platform, specifically affecting versions prior to v5.0.0. This issue stems from insufficient password complexity requirements within the GitHub repository weseek/growi, creating a significant attack surface that could be exploited by malicious actors seeking unauthorized access to user accounts and system resources. The weakness manifests in the platform's inability to enforce robust password policies that would typically be expected in enterprise-grade applications, leaving user credentials vulnerable to brute force attacks, credential stuffing, and other common password-based exploitation techniques.
The technical flaw lies in the absence of mandatory password strength validation within the application's user registration and password update processes. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-521 Weak Password Requirements, which is categorized under the NIST SP 800-63B password strength guidelines. Without proper enforcement of minimum length requirements, complexity rules, and prohibition of commonly used passwords, the system becomes susceptible to automated attack tools that can rapidly test common password combinations or systematically brute force weak credentials. The vulnerability affects the core authentication framework of the platform, potentially compromising all user accounts that have not been migrated to the enhanced password policies introduced in version 5.0.0.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential data breaches, privilege escalation, and system compromise. Attackers leveraging this weakness could gain entry to sensitive documents, collaborate spaces, and administrative functions within the Growi platform, potentially leading to information disclosure, data manipulation, and service disruption. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that Growi is often deployed in enterprise environments where it may contain confidential business information, intellectual property, and sensitive user data. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1110.003 Credential Stuffing, as the weak password requirements make it easier for attackers to successfully compromise accounts through automated credential testing against multiple systems.
Organizations utilizing affected versions of Growi should immediately implement mitigations including mandatory password policy enforcement, account lockout mechanisms, and multi-factor authentication deployment. The most effective remediation involves upgrading to version 5.0.0 or later, which includes enhanced authentication controls and proper password strength validation. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive password audits of existing user accounts, enforce immediate password resets for all users, and implement monitoring for suspicious login activities. Additional defensive measures include deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for credential brute force attempts and establishing automated alerts for multiple failed authentication attempts. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of adhering to security best practices as outlined in NIST SP 800-63B and ISO/IEC 27001 standards for identity and access management controls.