CWE-326: Inadequate Encryption Strength

What is Inadequate Encryption Strength?

• Overview: Inadequate Encryption Strength refers to using an encryption algorithm that is technically valid but not strong enough to protect sensitive data from being easily decrypted by attackers.

• Exploitation Methods:

• Attackers can exploit this vulnerability through brute force attacks, systematically trying all possible keys until the correct one is found.
• Common attack patterns include leveraging computational resources to perform dictionary attacks or rainbow table attacks against weak encryption.

• Security Impact:

• Direct consequences include unauthorized access to sensitive information such as passwords, financial data, or personal details.
• Potential cascading effects might involve further security breaches, such as unauthorized system access or data manipulation.
• Business impact can be severe, leading to loss of customer trust, legal repercussions, and financial losses due to data breaches.

• Prevention Guidelines:

• Specific code-level fixes include using strong encryption algorithms like AES-256, RSA with 2048-bit keys, or Elliptic Curve Cryptography with appropriate key sizes.
• Security best practices involve regularly updating encryption libraries, employing secure key management practices, and staying informed about emerging cryptographic vulnerabilities.
• Recommended tools and frameworks include OpenSSL, Bouncy Castle, and libraries that are regularly audited and updated for security compliance.

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Technical Details

Likelihood of Exploit: Not specified

Affected Languages: Not Language-Specific

Affected Technologies: Not specified

Vulnerable Code Example

Python Example

from Crypto.Cipher import DES

def encrypt_data_vulnerable(data):
    # Using DES for encryption, which is considered weak due to its small key size (56 bits)
    key = b'8bytekey'  # DES requires an 8-byte key
    des = DES.new(key, DES.MODE_ECB)
    # Encrypt the data, but this encryption is not strong enough for sensitive data
    # The data must be padded to a multiple of the block size
    encrypted_data = des.encrypt(data.ljust(8))
    return encrypted_data

Explanation:

• Weak Algorithm: DES is used, which is outdated and insecure due to its 56-bit key size.
• Mode of Operation: ECB mode is used, which is insecure because it does not use an IV and can reveal patterns in the plaintext.
• Padding: The padding method used is not secure or standardized, potentially leading to vulnerabilities.

How to fix Inadequate Encryption Strength?

Fixed Code Example

from Crypto.Cipher import AES
from Crypto.Util.Padding import pad
import os

def encrypt_data_secure(data):
    # Using AES for encryption, which is secure and recommended
    key = os.urandom(16)  # AES-128 requires a 16-byte key
    iv = os.urandom(16)   # Initialization vector for CBC mode
    aes = AES.new(key, AES.MODE_CBC, iv)
    # Pad the data to the block size of AES (16 bytes) and encrypt
    encrypted_data = aes.encrypt(pad(data.encode(), AES.block_size))
    return iv + encrypted_data  # Prepend IV for use in decryption

Explanation:

• Strong Algorithm: AES with a 128-bit key is used, offering a much stronger level of security compared to DES.
• Secure Mode: CBC mode is used with an IV to ensure that the same plaintext will produce different ciphertexts each time, enhancing security.
• Padding: The pad function from Crypto.Util.Padding is used to ensure data length is a multiple of the block size, which is necessary for block ciphers like AES.
• Security: AES is a symmetric encryption algorithm widely recognized for its security and efficiency, making it suitable for encrypting sensitive data.