CVE-2017-7252 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This CVE record discusses a vulnerability in Botan that affects password handling, potentially enabling attackers to decipher passwords more easily.

Understanding CVE-2017-7252

What is CVE-2017-7252?

The vulnerability in Botan before version 2.1.0 involves inadequate password handling for passwords with a length between 57 and 72 characters in bcrypt password hashing.

The Impact of CVE-2017-7252

This vulnerability allows attackers to potentially decrypt original passwords more easily, posing a risk to user data and system security.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-7252

Vulnerability Description

The issue lies in the inadequate handling of passwords within a specific character length range in Botan's bcrypt password hashing mechanism.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: n/a
Product: n/a
Versions: All versions before 2.1.0 are affected.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by leveraging the inadequate password handling in Botan's bcrypt password hashing to potentially decrypt passwords within the specified character length range.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade to Botan version 2.1.0 or newer to address this vulnerability.
Encourage users to change passwords that fall within the vulnerable character length range.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strong password policies and encourage the use of complex, lengthy passwords.
Regularly review and update password hashing mechanisms to align with best practices.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by Botan.
Promptly apply patches to ensure the security of password handling mechanisms.