M10: Insufficient Cryptography

Overview

This article discusses the OWASP top ten vulnerability M10: Insufficient Cryptography. It provides an overview of the threat agents, attack vectors, security weaknesses, technical and business impacts, and ways to prevent this vulnerability. It also includes example attack scenarios and references to external resources.

Description

Insecure cryptography in mobile applications can compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity of sensitive information. Attackers can exploit vulnerabilities in cryptographic mechanisms, algorithms, key management, and implementation flaws to decrypt data, manipulate processes, or gain unauthorized access to information. This can lead to data breaches, unauthorized account access, compromised confidentiality, and tampering of data. To prevent this vulnerability, it is important to use strong encryption algorithms, ensure sufficient key length, follow secure key management practices, implement encryption correctly, securely store encryption keys, use secure transport layer protocols, validate and authenticate parties involved, regularly update security measures, conduct security testing, and follow industry standards and best practices.

How to Prevent ?

To prevent 'Insufficient Cryptography' vulnerabilities in mobile applications, follow these best practices: 1. Use Strong Encryption Algorithms: Implement widely accepted and secure encryption algorithms. 2. Ensure Sufficient Key Length: Select encryption keys with an appropriate length. 3. Follow Secure Key Management Practices: Employ secure key management techniques. 4. Implement Encryption Correctly: Carefully implement encryption and decryption processes. 5. Secure Storage of Encryption Keys: Ensure encryption keys are securely stored. 6. Employ Secure Transport Layer: Use secure transport layer protocols. 7. Validate and Authenticate: Implement strong validation and authentication mechanisms. 8. Regularly Update Security Measures: Stay informed about security updates and recommendations. 9. Conduct Security Testing: Perform thorough security testing. 10. Follow Industry Standards and Best Practices: Stay updated with industry standards. 11. Use Strong Hash Functions: Choose widely recognized and cryptographically secure hash functions. 12. Implement Salting: Always use a strong random salt when hashing passwords. 13. Use Key Derivation Functions (KDFs): Use KDFs for password hashing.

Example Attack Scenarios:

• Scenario #1: Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attacks:  An attacker intercepts the communication between the mobile application and the server. Weak cryptography enables attackers to decrypt, modify, and re-encrypt intercepted data before forwarding it. This can lead to unauthorized access, data manipulation, or injection of malicious content.

• Scenario #2: Brute-Force Attacks:  Attackers systematically try various combinations of keys to find the correct one. Weak cryptography shortens the time required for such attacks, potentially exposing sensitive information.

• Scenario #3: Cryptographic Downgrade Attacks:  Attackers exploit the ability to use weak encryption as a fallback option. They force the application to use weak encryption, making it easier to decrypt intercepted data and launch subsequent attacks.

• Scenario #4: Key Management Vulnerabilities:  Weak key management practices undermine cryptographic system security. Storing keys insecurely or using easily guessable keys allows attackers to gain unauthorized access and decrypt data, leading to data breaches and privacy violations.

• Scenario #5: Crypto Implementation Flaws:  Weak cryptography can result from implementation flaws in the mobile application. These flaws include incorrect usage of cryptographic libraries, insecure key generation, improper random number generation, or insecure handling of encryption-related functions. Attackers exploit these flaws to bypass or weaken encryption protections.