CVE-2023-40702 in PingOne MFA Integration Kit
Summary
by MITRE • 07/09/2024
PingOne MFA Integration Kit contains a vulnerability where the skipMFA action can be configured such that user authentication does not require the second factor authentication from the user's existing registered devices. A threat actor might be able to exploit this vulnerability to authenticate as a target user if they have existing knowledge of the target user’s first-factor credentials.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-40702 affects the PingOne Multi-Factor Authentication Integration Kit, representing a critical weakness in identity and access management systems that undermines the fundamental security principle of multi-factor authentication. This issue resides within the configuration options available for the skipMFA action, which when improperly set allows attackers to bypass the second factor authentication requirement that should be mandatory for user verification. The vulnerability specifically targets the authentication flow logic where administrators can configure certain conditions that permit user access without requiring second factor validation, creating a significant security gap in the authentication process.
The technical flaw manifests through improper access control configuration where the skipMFA functionality can be manipulated to disable second factor authentication requirements for legitimate users. This represents a classic case of insecure configuration management that violates the principle of least privilege and fails to maintain the security boundaries that should protect against unauthorized access. The vulnerability operates at the application level within the authentication integration framework, where the system should enforce mandatory second factor authentication but instead allows for conditional bypass mechanisms that can be exploited by threat actors who possess valid first factor credentials. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically related to improper access control enforcement where the system fails to properly validate authentication requirements.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of organizations relying on PingOne MFA Integration Kit for their authentication processes. Threat actors who gain knowledge of a target user's first factor credentials can exploit this vulnerability to authenticate as that user without providing second factor authentication, essentially rendering the second factor protection mechanism ineffective. This creates a pathway for unauthorized access to protected systems and data, potentially leading to data breaches, privilege escalation, and lateral movement within networks. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates silently within the authentication flow, making detection difficult and allowing attackers to maintain persistent access without raising immediate security alerts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1566 Initial Access through credential compromise and T1078 Valid Accounts, where attackers leverage legitimate credentials to bypass security controls.
Organizations should immediately review and remediate their PingOne MFA Integration Kit configurations to ensure that the skipMFA action is properly secured and cannot be configured to bypass second factor authentication requirements. The recommended mitigations include implementing strict access control policies for authentication configuration management, conducting regular security assessments of authentication flows, and ensuring that all second factor authentication requirements are enforced regardless of user context or session state. Security teams should also implement monitoring controls that detect unusual authentication patterns or configuration changes that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining defense in depth strategies where multiple layers of security controls work together to protect against various attack vectors. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing automated configuration validation checks to prevent unauthorized modifications to critical authentication parameters that could lead to similar security weaknesses.