Introduction

During my journey as a security enthusiast, I recently identified a minor vulnerability related to a weak password policy that could lead to unauthorized access. This write-up provides a detailed breakdown of the issue, including technical steps, the impact of the vulnerability, and the solutions implemented to address it.

The Vulnerability

A weak password policy occurs when an application or system allows users to create passwords that are too simple or easy to guess, such as using common phrases or a lack of complexity. This increases the risk of brute force or dictionary attacks, where an attacker attempts to guess a password using automated tools.

How It Worked

Password Creation:
A user attempts to register or update their password, without restrictions on length, complexity, or commonly used passwords.

Weak Password Acceptance:
The system allows passwords like "123456," "password," or simple dictionary words without enforcing strength requirements such as:

• Minimum password length
• Requirement for numbers, symbols, and uppercase letters
• Blocking commonly used passwords

Key Flaw

The system failed to enforce a strong password policy, allowing users to set weak passwords. This flaw increases the likelihood of successful brute force or dictionary-based attacks, where attackers try common passwords.

Technical Details

Vulnerable Endpoint:
https://example.com/account/update-password

Exploitation Steps:

1. Go to the password update or registration page.

2. Enter a simple password, such as "123456" or "password."

3. Observe that the system accepts the weak password without any warnings or constraints.

4. Attackers can now attempt automated attacks with weak passwords, using common password lists or dictionary-based tools.

Result

The lack of a strong password policy allowed weak passwords to be set by users, which in turn could enable:

• Brute force attacks where an attacker tries a large number of common passwords.
• Dictionary attacks targeting weak or common phrases.
• Unauthorized access to user accounts and sensitive information.

Impact

Though weak password policies don't directly lead to immediate security breaches, they greatly increase the risk of attacks. Potential risks include:

• Unauthorized access due to easily guessable passwords.
• Exploitation of user accounts for further attacks, such as spreading malware or stealing personal data.
• Compromise of systems, especially if users re-use the same weak password across multiple platforms.

Resolution

After reporting the vulnerability to the application’s team, the issue was resolved by implementing the following measures:

• Enforced Password Complexity: Users are now required to create passwords with at least 8 characters, including uppercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
• Blacklisted Common Passwords: The system now blocks commonly used passwords like "123456" and "password."
• Password Strength Meter: A password strength meter is displayed to guide users in creating secure passwords.

Lessons Learned

Strong Password Policies:
Implementing a strong password policy is essential to prevent unauthorized access and reduce the risk of brute force attacks.

User Education:
Users should be educated on the importance of creating strong, unique passwords.

Regular Audits:
Regular audits of password policies and security mechanisms help ensure ongoing protection from evolving threats.

Bug Bounty Insights

Even though a weak password policy might seem trivial, it can have significant consequences. Addressing this issue by enforcing better password practices improves overall security and prevents the exploitation of vulnerable accounts.

Conclusion

This experience highlighted the critical role of strong password policies in ensuring secure user authentication. Reporting and fixing vulnerabilities related to weak passwords is essential for safeguarding users and maintaining trust in digital platforms.

Author: Maylo