CVE-2022-40722 in Adapter
Summary
by MITRE • 04/25/2023
A misconfiguration of RSA padding implemented in the PingID Adapter for PingFederate to support Offline MFA with PingID mobile authenticators is vulnerable to pre-computed dictionary attacks, leading to a bypass of offline MFA.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/20/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2022-40722 represents a critical security flaw in the PingID Adapter for PingFederate that specifically impacts offline multi-factor authentication implementations. This misconfiguration affects the RSA padding mechanism used to secure authentication tokens, creating a pathway for attackers to bypass the intended security controls. The vulnerability specifically targets the offline MFA functionality that relies on PingID mobile authenticators, which are designed to provide authentication capabilities even when network connectivity is unavailable. The flaw stems from improper implementation of cryptographic padding standards that should have prevented predictable patterns in the authentication process.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through pre-computed dictionary attacks that leverage the misconfigured RSA padding implementation. Attackers can generate and store pre-computed values that correspond to the flawed padding scheme, allowing them to predict or reverse-engineer authentication tokens without requiring the legitimate user's credentials or device. This represents a fundamental breakdown in the cryptographic security model, as the padding mechanism that should provide randomness and unpredictability has been compromised. The vulnerability falls under CWE-327, which addresses the use of weak cryptographic algorithms and improper implementation of cryptographic padding schemes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple authentication bypass, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of organizations relying on offline MFA for critical systems. When offline MFA is compromised, attackers gain unauthorized access to systems that should remain protected even during network outages or connectivity issues. This is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where offline authentication is often used for high-value assets, privileged accounts, or systems requiring continuous access control. The vulnerability affects the integrity of the authentication process by allowing attackers to forge valid authentication tokens that would normally require legitimate device possession and user interaction.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of the PingID Adapter and PingFederate software, reviewing and validating all cryptographic configurations, and implementing additional monitoring controls for authentication events. The mitigation strategy should also include conducting comprehensive security assessments of all offline authentication implementations and establishing more robust key management practices. From an att&ck framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to technique T1550.001 for valid accounts and T1550.002 for use of stolen credentials, as attackers can effectively bypass authentication controls to gain access to protected systems. Organizations should also consider implementing additional authentication layers, such as hardware security modules or more robust token generation mechanisms, to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future implementations.