Apache Kafka up to 3.7.1/3.8.0 SCRAM incorrect implementation of authentication algorithm

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as problematic was found in Apache Kafka up to 3.7.1/3.8.0. This affects an unknown part of the component SCRAM. Executing a manipulation can lead to incorrect implementation of authentication algorithm. This vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2024-56128. No exploit exists. Upgrading the affected component is advised.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Apache Kafka up to 3.7.1/3.8.0. It has been declared as problematic. This vulnerability affects an unknown function of the component SCRAM. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a incorrect implementation of authentication algorithm vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-303. The requirements for the product dictate the use of an established authentication algorithm, but the implementation of the algorithm is incorrect. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

Incorrect Implementation of Authentication Algorithm in Apache Kafka's SCRAM implementation. Issue Summary: Apache Kafka's implementation of the Salted Challenge Response Authentication Mechanism (SCRAM) did not fully adhere to the requirements of RFC 5802 [1]. Specifically, as per RFC 5802, the server must verify that the nonce sent by the client in the second message matches the nonce sent by the server in its first message. However, Kafka's SCRAM implementation did not perform this validation. Impact: This vulnerability is exploitable only when an attacker has plaintext access to the SCRAM authentication exchange. However, the usage of SCRAM over plaintext is strongly discouraged as it is considered an insecure practice [2]. Apache Kafka recommends deploying SCRAM exclusively with TLS encryption to protect SCRAM exchanges from interception [3]. Deployments using SCRAM with TLS are not affected by this issue. How to Detect If You Are Impacted: If your deployment uses SCRAM authentication over plaintext communication channels (without TLS encryption), you are likely impacted. To check if TLS is enabled, review your server.properties configuration file for listeners property. If you have SASL_PLAINTEXT in the listeners, then you are likely impacted. Fix Details: The issue has been addressed by introducing nonce verification in the final message of the SCRAM authentication exchange to ensure compliance with RFC 5802. Affected Versions: Apache Kafka versions 0.10.2.0 through 3.9.0, excluding the fixed versions below. Fixed Versions: 3.9.0 3.8.1 3.7.2 Users are advised to upgrade to 3.7.2 or later to mitigate this issue. Recommendations for Mitigation: Users unable to upgrade to the fixed versions can mitigate the issue by: - Using TLS with SCRAM Authentication: Always deploy SCRAM over TLS to encrypt authentication exchanges and protect against interception. - Considering Alternative Authentication Mechanisms: Evaluate alternative authentication mechanisms, such as PLAIN, Kerberos or OAuth with TLS, which provide additional layers of security.

The advisory is available at datatracker.ietf.org. This vulnerability was named CVE-2024-56128 since 12/16/2024. The exploitation appears to be difficult. No form of authentication is required for a successful exploitation. The technical details are unknown and an exploit is not available.

Upgrading to version 3.7.2, 3.8.1 or 3.9.0 eliminates this vulnerability.

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Productinfo

Vendor

• Apache

Name

• Kafka

Version

• 3.0
• 3.1
• 3.2
• 3.3
• 3.4
• 3.5
• 3.6
• 3.7
• 3.7.0
• 3.7.1
• 3.8.0

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.apache.org/

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