CVE-2023-46233 : Security Advisory and Response

Understanding CVE-2023-46233

An important vulnerability has been discovered in the crypto-js JavaScript library, making the PBKDF2 function significantly weaker than industry standards.

What is CVE-2023-46233?

The CVE-2023-46233 vulnerability in crypto-js arises due to the PBKDF2 function being 1,000 times weaker than the standard specified in 1993 and 1.3 million times weaker than the current industry standard. This weakness is a result of defaulting to the insecure SHA1 cryptographic hash algorithm and using a single iteration, significantly reducing its strength.

The Impact of CVE-2023-46233

The impact of this vulnerability is high when used to protect passwords or generate signatures. Any system utilizing crypto-js versions prior to 4.2.0 is at risk of exploitation, potentially compromising sensitive data.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-46233

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows for weak cryptographic protection due to the improper implementation of the PBKDF2 function in crypto-js, leading to a significantly reduced security level.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected product is the 'crypto-js' library with versions below 4.2.0. Systems using these versions are susceptible to the weakness in the PBKDF2 function.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to launch attacks such as preimage and collision attacks due to the weakened cryptographic strength of the PBKDF2 function.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

To mitigate the CVE-2023-46233 vulnerability, it is crucial to update the 'crypto-js' library to version 4.2.0 or higher. Additionally, configure the library to use SHA256 with at least 250,000 iterations to enhance security.

Long-Term Security Practices

In the long term, ensure regular security audits are conducted on third-party libraries like 'crypto-js' to identify and address any potential vulnerabilities promptly.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and updates released by the 'crypto-js' maintainers to address and mitigate any future vulnerabilities.