CVE-2023-46233 in crypto-js
Summary
by MITRE • 10/26/2023
crypto-js is a JavaScript library of crypto standards. Prior to version 4.2.0, crypto-js PBKDF2 is 1,000 times weaker than originally specified in 1993, and at least 1,300,000 times weaker than current industry standard. This is because it both defaults to SHA1, a cryptographic hash algorithm considered insecure since at least 2005, and defaults to one single iteration, a 'strength' or 'difficulty' value specified at 1,000 when specified in 1993. PBKDF2 relies on iteration count as a countermeasure to preimage and collision attacks. If used to protect passwords, the impact is high. If used to generate signatures, the impact is high. Version 4.2.0 contains a patch for this issue. As a workaround, configure crypto-js to use SHA256 with at least 250,000 iterations.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/24/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-46233 affects the crypto-js JavaScript library, specifically its implementation of the Password-Based Key Derivation Function 2 algorithm. This weakness stems from the library's default configuration that employs SHA1 hashing with only a single iteration, creating a significant security gap that undermines the cryptographic protection intended by the PBKDF2 specification. The issue represents a critical deviation from established cryptographic standards where PBKDF2 was originally designed with iteration counts of at least 1,000 to provide adequate resistance against brute force attacks, making the library's implementation approximately 1,000 times weaker than originally intended and 1,300,000 times weaker than current industry recommendations.
The technical flaw manifests in two primary areas that severely compromise security effectiveness. First, the default use of SHA1 hashing algorithm creates a fundamental weakness since SHA1 has been considered cryptographically broken and unsuitable for further use since at least 2005, with practical collision attacks demonstrated in 2017. Second, the implementation defaults to only one iteration of the hashing process, which provides virtually no protection against computational attacks that can quickly reverse the derivation process. This combination creates a scenario where passwords protected by this implementation can be cracked in seconds or minutes using modern computing resources, directly violating the core purpose of PBKDF2 which relies on computational work factor to slow down attackers through iteration counting.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple security domains where crypto-js is commonly deployed. When used to protect passwords, the weakness enables rapid credential compromise through brute force and dictionary attacks, potentially exposing user accounts and sensitive systems. In signature generation contexts, the vulnerability undermines the integrity and authenticity guarantees that PBKDF2 is designed to provide, making systems susceptible to forged signatures and impersonation attacks. The vulnerability affects any application or system that relies on crypto-js for password hashing, key derivation, or cryptographic signature generation, creating widespread potential for security breaches across web applications, mobile apps, and server-side systems that depend on this library for cryptographic operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary fix requires upgrading to crypto-js version 4.2.0 or later, which includes the necessary patch to address the iteration count and hashing algorithm defaults. As a temporary workaround, administrators should explicitly configure the library to use SHA256 hashing with a minimum of 250,000 iterations to achieve security levels comparable to current industry standards. This approach aligns with industry best practices outlined in NIST Special Publication 800-132 and follows the ATT&CK framework's defensive recommendations for cryptographic weakness mitigation. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive audits of their codebases to identify all instances where crypto-js is used, particularly in authentication flows, password storage, and cryptographic signature implementations, ensuring that the patched version or proper configuration is deployed across all affected systems to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.