User Enumeration Vulnerability in Silverstripe Framework: Timing Attack on Login and Password Reset Forms
Summary
GHSA-256q-hx8w-xcqx: Silverstripe Framework user enumeration via timing attack on login and password reset forms. Affects silverstripe/framework versions >= 4.0.0, < 5.3.23. Fixed in 5.3.23. How to fix ↓
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Background
Silverstripe Framework is an open-source content management system (CMS) and framework for building web applications. It provides a robust set of tools for developers to create dynamic websites with ease. However, it has been identified that versions 4.0.0 and above are vulnerable to a user enumeration issue, which can be exploited through timing attacks on the login and password reset forms.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability allows attackers to enumerate valid usernames by measuring the response time of the login and password reset forms. If an attacker submits a request with an invalid username, the response time will differ from that of a valid username, thus revealing whether the username exists in the system. This issue was initially disclosed in a security release for CMS 3 but was not addressed in CMS 4 and later versions. The potential ramifications include unauthorized access attempts and targeted attacks on valid user accounts.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
5.3.23
This is the first release that contains the fix.
composer require silverstripe/framework:5.3.23Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can implement rate limiting on login attempts and password reset requests to reduce the effectiveness of timing attacks. Additionally, consider adding a generic error message that does not disclose whether the username exists or not.
Conclusion
The Silverstripe Framework has a vulnerability that allows user enumeration through timing attacks on login and password reset forms. It is crucial to update to the latest patched version to mitigate this risk. Implementing workarounds can provide temporary relief, but updating is the most effective solution.
See every vulnerability recorded for silverstripe/framework →
FAQ
A timing attack is a type of side-channel attack where an attacker attempts to compromise a system by analyzing the time it takes to execute cryptographic algorithms or respond to requests.
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User enumeration can lead to targeted attacks, where an attacker can focus on valid usernames to attempt unauthorized access, potentially compromising user accounts.
While updating is the best solution, you can implement rate limiting and generic error messages as workarounds to reduce the risk of exploitation.
The CVSS score of this vulnerability is 5.3, indicating a moderate level of severity.
References
Related vulnerabilities
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