A critical security vulnerability (CVE-2023-33371) has been discovered in Control ID IDSecure software, version 4.7.26. and prior. The vulnerability stems from the use of a hardcoded cryptographic key utilized to sign and verify JSON Web Token (JWT) session tokens. This opens up the possibility for attackers to sign arbitrary session tokens and bypass authentication, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive information or resources.

The purpose of this long read post is to provide a detailed explanation of the vulnerability, including code snippets, references to original sources, and information on exploiting and mitigating the issue. We will be using simple and clear language to ensure accessibility for readers of varying backgrounds.

Exploit Details

Control ID IDSecure software employs JWTs for maintaining user sessions. JWTs are a widely used standard for securely transmitting information between parties as JSON objects. They can be easily verified and trusted, as they are digitally signed using a secret key. However, in Control ID IDSecure 4.7.26. and prior, a hardcoded cryptographic key is utilized for this purpose. As a result, attackers can use this key to create their own JWTs, effectively bypassing authentication and potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data or resources.

Here's an example of how a JWT is typically created and signed with a secret key

import jwt

payload = {'user_id': 123, 'email': 'johndoe@example.com'}
secret_key = 'mysecretkey'

encoded_jwt = jwt.encode(payload, secret_key, algorithm='HS256')
print(encoded_jwt)

In the case of the vulnerable Control ID IDSecure software, the secret_key is hardcoded, meaning that an attacker could use it to create arbitrary JWTs. The code snippet below demonstrates this:

import jwt

payload = {'user_id': 456, 'email': 'attacker@example.com'}
hardcoded_key = 'hardcoded_key_in_software'

malicious_jwt = jwt.encode(payload, hardcoded_key, algorithm='HS256')
print(malicious_jwt)

Mitigation

To protect systems running Control ID IDSecure 4.7.26. and prior, it is imperative to address the underlying issue causing the vulnerability - the hardcoded cryptographic key. The recommended course of action is to update the software to a version that incorporates proper key management. This involves generating unique keys for each deployment, regularly rotating them, and securely storing them.

Additionally, organizations using the vulnerable software should perform a thorough security audit to ensure that there have been no prior unauthorized access attempts or data breaches as a result of this vulnerability.

Conclusion

It is crucial for organizations and users of Control ID IDSecure 4.7.26. and prior to understand the potential implications of the CVE-2023-33371 vulnerability. By exploiting this security flaw, attackers can bypass authentication measures and gain unauthorized access to sensitive resources by leveraging the hardcoded cryptographic key.

By taking appropriate mitigation steps and implementing proper key management practices, organizations can protect their systems and safeguard sensitive information from potential exploitation by malicious actors.

- Link 1: Official CVE Information
- Link 2: NIST National Vulnerability Database Entry
- Link 3: Security Advisory from Control ID
- Link 4: Practical Guide to JWT and Key Management

Timeline

Published on: 08/03/2023 01:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 08/05/2023 03:47:00 UTC