CVE-2012-2146: Elixir can leak information due to weak use of crypto
Summary
CVE-2012-2146: Elixir can leak information due to weak use of crypto. Affects elixir versions < 0.7.1. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
Also tracked for
- elixir · Debian:10
The same CVE-2012-2146 is tracked separately for each ecosystem and vendor. Its fix information is the same; the package and affected versions differ.
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Background
Elixir is a Python package available on PyPI that provides a simple and intuitive way to work with databases. It offers an object-relational mapping (ORM) layer for interacting with databases, making it easier for developers to manage data persistence. However, versions prior to and including 0.7.1 of Elixir have a vulnerability that can lead to information leakage due to weak use of cryptography.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in Elixir arises from its use of Blowfish in CFB (Cipher Feedback) mode without constructing a unique initialization vector (IV). This oversight makes it easier for context-dependent users to obtain sensitive information and decrypt the database. An attacker with access to the encrypted data and knowledge of the encryption algorithm can exploit this weakness to retrieve the original data. The impact of this vulnerability can be significant, as it compromises the confidentiality of the data stored in the database.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
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Workaround
There is no specific workaround mentioned in the advisory. However, users can consider implementing their own encryption mechanism or using an alternative encryption library until they can update to a patched version of Elixir.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Elixir versions prior to and including 0.7.1 have a vulnerability that can lead to information leakage due to weak use of cryptography. It is recommended to update to a patched version of Elixir to mitigate this vulnerability. For further support on vulnerability remediation, you can reach out to DevNack.com.
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FAQ
This vulnerability can lead to information leakage and compromise the confidentiality of the data stored in the Elixir database.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability. Vulert monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities, using Pipfile.lock to analyze dependencies.
While no specific workaround is mentioned in the advisory, users can consider implementing their own encryption mechanism or using an alternative encryption library until they can update to a patched version of Elixir.
To fix this vulnerability, it is recommended to update to a version of Elixir that includes the patch provided in the advisory. The patch ensures that a unique IV is generated for each encryption operation, strengthening the security of the encryption process.
You can refer to the advisory on the GitHub Advisory Database at the following link: https://github.com/github/advisory-database/blob/main/advisories/github-reviewed/2022/05/GHSA-vfcg-5ggc-3rxx/GHSA-vfcg-5ggc-3rxx.json
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