CVE-2024-3096 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting PHP versions 8.1.* before 8.1.28, 8.2.* before 8.2.18, and 8.3.* before 8.3.5. This vulnerability allows an attacker to exploit the password verification function (password_verify) when a password stored with password_hash() begins with a null byte (\x00). In such cases, testing a blank string as the password will incorrectly return true, potentially leading to unauthorized access.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 6.5, indicating a medium severity level. The attack vector is classified as network-based, and while the complexity is low, user interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability. The confidentiality impact is high while integrity and availability impacts are none.
Risk to organizations includes the potential for unauthorized access due to flawed password verification logic. As such, organizations using affected versions of PHP should address this vulnerability in their patch cycle urgently.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. The publication date of this CVE is April 29, 2024, and it is crucial to act quickly to mitigate risks associated with this vulnerability.
Vulnerability Details
In PHP version 8.1.* before 8.1.28, 8.2.* before 8.2.18, and 8.3.* before 8.3.5, if a password stored with password_hash() starts with a null byte (\x00), testing a blank string as the password via password_verify() will incorrectly return true. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-20.
The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 6.5, indicating a medium severity level. The affected products include PHP and Debian Linux.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the handling of passwords that start with a null byte. When such a password is verified against a blank string, the verification incorrectly succeeds due to flawed logic in the password verification function.
The attack vector is network-based, indicating that an attacker would need to send crafted requests to the server where PHP is running. The complexity of the attack is low; however, it requires user interaction since the attacker needs to provide a specific password format.
No privileges are required for this attack, which enhances its risk profile. The confidentiality impact is high due to the potential for unauthorized access while integrity and availability remain unaffected.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The risk posed by CVE-2024-3096 is significant for organizations that utilize affected versions of PHP, especially in environments where sensitive data is handled. The ability to bypass authentication through a flaw in the password verification process can lead to unauthorized access to user accounts.
Organizations should assess their exposure and take action accordingly. Given the medium CVSS score of 6.5, it is advisable for organizations to address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle. The potential for exploitation highlights the importance of timely remediation.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The vulnerability affects PHP versions 8.1.* prior to 8.1.28, 8.2.* prior to 8.2.18, and 8.3.* prior to 8.3.5. Organizations should ensure they are using patched versions of PHP to mitigate this security issue.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should update to the latest patched versions of PHP. For PHP 8.1, this means upgrading to version 8.1.28 or later, for PHP 8.2 to 8.2.18 or later, and for PHP 8.3 to 8.3.5 or later. If immediate patching is not possible, consider implementing additional security measures such as input validation and strong access controls.
For more information on penetration testing and how to validate the effectiveness of your security measures, organizations should consider engaging in penetration testing to ensure all vulnerabilities are identified and remediated.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability, organizations should monitor logs for unusual authentication attempts, especially those involving blank password submissions. Additionally, keep an eye out for behavioral anomalies that may indicate an attacker is attempting to exploit this weakness.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of this vulnerability highlights the importance of secure password management practices. It represents a broader trend of vulnerabilities arising from improper handling of user input, which can lead to severe security risks. Security teams should take this incident as a lesson to audit their password handling mechanisms and implement robust validation processes.
For further insights and strategies on enhancing security measures, organizations may refer to our guide on penetration testing methodology and our insights on the latest trends in vulnerability management to better prepare for future threats.
Additionally, organizations should stay informed about potential risks by following our vulnerability exposure trends to ensure they are addressing the most critical security challenges.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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