M4: Insecure Authentication

Overview

This JSON response provides information about the M4: Insecure Authentication vulnerability, including threat agents, attack vectors, security weakness, technical impacts, and business impacts. It also includes steps on how to prevent insecure authentication and example attack scenarios. The response is SEO optimized for use in a blog or website.

Description

M4: Insecure Authentication is a vulnerability that allows threat agents to exploit authentication vulnerabilities through automated attacks. This can lead to unauthorized access to data, information theft, and reputational damage. The technical impact of poor authentication is the inability to identify the user performing an action request, which makes it difficult to detect the source of an attack or prevent future attacks. To prevent insecure authentication, it is important to avoid weak patterns, reinforce authentication on the server-side, and implement secure authentication measures such as encryption and device-specific authentication tokens. The response also provides example attack scenarios to illustrate the risks associated with insecure authentication.

How to Prevent ?

To prevent insecure authentication, follow these steps: 1. Avoid weak patterns and ensure authentication requirements match that of the web application component. 2. Perform authentication requests server-side and load application data only after successful authentication. 3. Encrypt client-side stored data using a securely derived encryption key. 4. Avoid storing passwords on the device or using spoof-able values for authentication. 5. Implement persistent authentication as opt-in and do not allow 4-digit PIN numbers for authentication passwords. 6. Assume all client-side authorization and authentication controls can be bypassed and re-enforce controls on the server-side. 7. Perform local integrity checks within the mobile app's code to detect unauthorized code changes.

Example Attack Scenarios:

• Hidden Service Requests:  Developers assume that only authenticated users will be able to generate a service request that the mobile app submits to its backend for processing. However, the server code does not verify the identity of the incoming request, allowing adversaries to submit anonymous service requests and execute functionality that affects legitimate users.

• Interface Reliance:  Developers assume that only authorized users will be able to see a particular function on their mobile app. However, the server code does not verify the identity associated with the request, allowing adversaries with low-privilege user accounts to perform remote administrative functionality.

• Usability Requirements:  Due to usability requirements, mobile apps allow for 4-digit PIN numbers as passwords. While the server code correctly stores hashed versions of the passwords, the short length of the passwords makes them vulnerable to brute force attacks. If the password file on the server is compromised, adversaries can quickly deduce users' passwords.