CVE-2019-20138 : Security Advisory and Response

Nim's HTTP Authentication library, version prior to 2019-12-27, has a vulnerability due to insufficient password hashing.

Understanding CVE-2019-20138

This CVE identifies a weakness in the password hashing mechanism of Nim's HTTP Authentication library.

What is CVE-2019-20138?

The HTTP Authentication library for Nim, before 2019-12-27, lacks secure password hashing as it does not utilize the default algorithm provided by libsodium's crypto_pwhash_str.

The Impact of CVE-2019-20138

This vulnerability could allow attackers to more easily crack passwords, compromising user accounts and potentially leading to unauthorized access.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-20138

Nim's HTTP Authentication library vulnerability details.

Vulnerability Description

The library's weak password hashing implementation exposes user passwords to higher risk of being compromised.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Nim's HTTP Authentication library
Vendor: N/A
Versions: Prior to 2019-12-27

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to perform password cracking attacks more efficiently, potentially gaining unauthorized access to systems.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-20138.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Nim's HTTP Authentication library to version 2019-12-27 or newer.
Encourage users to change their passwords to stronger, unique ones.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strong password policies and encourage the use of password managers.
Regularly review and update password hashing mechanisms to follow best practices.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates for Nim's HTTP Authentication library.
Apply patches promptly to ensure the latest security measures are in place.