Low Iteration Count Vulnerability in libjose4j-java: Security Risk for Cryptographic Operations
Summary
CVE-2023-31582: jose4j before v0.9.3 allows attackers to set a low iteration count of 1000 or less. Affects libjose4j-java across 2 version ranges.
< 0.7.12-2
< 0aad8fc75d599a049bba2b3a75f5bcba1009cfaf
Fixed in 0.7.12-2. How to fix ↓
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Background
libjose4j-java is a Java library that provides support for JSON Web Tokens (JWT) and other JOSE (JSON Object Signing and Encryption) standards. It is widely used for secure data transmission and authentication in web applications. The library's functionality includes signing, verifying, encrypting, and decrypting JSON objects, making it essential for maintaining data integrity and confidentiality. However, a vulnerability has been identified that allows attackers to set a low iteration count for cryptographic operations, potentially compromising the security of the data being processed.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability, identified as CVE-2023-31582, allows attackers to set a low iteration count of 1000 or less in cryptographic functions. This low iteration count can significantly weaken the security of the cryptographic operations, making it easier for attackers to perform brute-force attacks and gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. The issue originates from improper validation of iteration counts in the library's implementation, which fails to enforce a minimum threshold for secure cryptographic practices. As a result, applications using affected versions of libjose4j-java may be at risk of data breaches and unauthorized access.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
0.7.12-2
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade libjose4j-javaTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
If immediate upgrading is not feasible, consider implementing a custom validation mechanism in your application to enforce a higher iteration count for cryptographic operations. This can be done by modifying the relevant sections of your code to check the iteration count before proceeding with cryptographic functions. For example:
if (iterationCount < 1000) {
throw new IllegalArgumentException("Iteration count must be greater than 1000");
}
Conclusion
The vulnerability CVE-2023-31582 in libjose4j-java poses a significant security risk due to the ability to set low iteration counts for cryptographic operations. It is crucial for users to upgrade to the fixed version to mitigate potential threats. Implementing workarounds can provide temporary relief, but upgrading is the best long-term solution.
See every vulnerability recorded for libjose4j-java →
FAQ
CVE-2023-31582 is a vulnerability in libjose4j-java that allows attackers to set a low iteration count for cryptographic operations, potentially compromising data security.
The main risk is that a low iteration count can make cryptographic operations vulnerable to brute-force attacks, leading to unauthorized access to sensitive data.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
If you cannot upgrade, implement a custom validation mechanism to enforce a higher iteration count in your cryptographic operations as a temporary workaround.
The CVSS score for CVE-2023-31582 is 7.5, indicating a high severity level.
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