Common Weakness Enumeration

CWE-307

Allowed

Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts

Abstraction: Base · Status: Draft

API response cwe.mitre.org

The product does not implement sufficient measures to prevent multiple failed authentication attempts within a short time frame.

1024 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.

GHSA-JCMX-9PXW-242G

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:31 – Updated: 2022-05-24 17:31
VLAI
Details

tiki-login.php in Tiki before 21.2 sets the admin password to a blank value after 50 invalid login attempts.

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{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2020-15906"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-307"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2020-10-22T18:15:00Z",
    "severity": "CRITICAL"
  },
  "details": "tiki-login.php in Tiki before 21.2 sets the admin password to a blank value after 50 invalid login attempts.",
  "id": "GHSA-jcmx-9pxw-242g",
  "modified": "2022-05-24T17:31:57Z",
  "published": "2022-05-24T17:31:57Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-15906"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://info.tiki.org/article473-Security-Releases-of-all-Tiki-versions-since-16-3"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/159663/Tiki-Wiki-CMS-Groupware-21.1-Authentication-Bypass.html"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": []
}

GHSA-JF2C-8V4P-MGG2

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-07-21 18:32 – Updated: 2025-07-22 15:32
VLAI
Details

Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts vulnerability in Drupal Mail Login allows Brute Force.This issue affects Mail Login: from 3.0.0 before 3.2.0, from 4.0.0 before 4.2.0.

Severity
9.8 (Critical)
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
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{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2025-7393"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-307"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2025-07-21T17:15:37Z",
    "severity": "CRITICAL"
  },
  "details": "Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts vulnerability in Drupal Mail Login allows Brute Force.This issue affects Mail Login: from 3.0.0 before 3.2.0, from 4.0.0 before 4.2.0.",
  "id": "GHSA-jf2c-8v4p-mgg2",
  "modified": "2025-07-22T15:32:40Z",
  "published": "2025-07-21T18:32:18Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-7393"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.drupal.org/sa-contrib-2025-088"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-JF4V-MHJ5-V7MX

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-11-14 18:30 – Updated: 2023-11-18 03:30
VLAI
Details

An improper restriction of excessive authentication attempts vulnerability [CWE-307] in FortiMail webmail version 7.2.0 through 7.2.4, 7.0.0 through 7.0.6 and before 6.4.8 may allow an unauthenticated attacker to  perform a brute force attack on the affected endpoints via repeated login attempts.

Severity
5.6 (Medium)
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L
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{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2023-45582"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-307"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2023-11-14T18:15:55Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "An improper restriction of excessive authentication attempts vulnerability [CWE-307] in FortiMail webmail version 7.2.0 through 7.2.4, 7.0.0 through 7.0.6 and before 6.4.8 may allow an unauthenticated attacker to\u00a0 perform a brute force attack on the affected endpoints via repeated login attempts.",
  "id": "GHSA-jf4v-mhj5-v7mx",
  "modified": "2023-11-18T03:30:20Z",
  "published": "2023-11-14T18:30:29Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-45582"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://fortiguard.com/psirt/FG-IR-23-287"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-JG8R-5JH2-V2XJ

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-06-26 18:33 – Updated: 2026-09-04 17:47
VLAI
Summary
Payload CMS default account-unlock access allows authenticated users to reset other accounts' lockouts
Details

An Improper Authorization vulnerability exists in PayloadCMS version 3.84.1 due to insufficient access control on the account unlock operation.

Severity
5.3 (Medium)
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:L/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
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{
  "affected": [
    {
      "package": {
        "ecosystem": "npm",
        "name": "payload"
      },
      "ranges": [
        {
          "events": [
            {
              "introduced": "0"
            },
            {
              "last_affected": "3.88.0"
            }
          ],
          "type": "ECOSYSTEM"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2026-11779"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-307"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": true,
    "github_reviewed_at": "2026-09-04T17:47:16Z",
    "nvd_published_at": "2026-06-26T17:16:32Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "An Improper Authorization vulnerability exists in PayloadCMS version 3.84.1 due to insufficient access control on the account unlock operation.",
  "id": "GHSA-jg8r-5jh2-v2xj",
  "modified": "2026-09-04T17:47:16Z",
  "published": "2026-06-26T18:33:59Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-11779"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://fluidattacks.com/es/advisories/stitches"
    },
    {
      "type": "PACKAGE",
      "url": "https://github.com/payloadcms/payload"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:L/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N",
      "type": "CVSS_V4"
    }
  ],
  "summary": "Payload CMS default account-unlock access allows authenticated users to reset other accounts\u0027 lockouts"
}

GHSA-JG8W-WGX2-G7Q4

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-04-15 15:30 – Updated: 2023-04-24 22:41
VLAI
Summary
Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts in calibreweb
Details

Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts in GitHub repository janeczku/calibre-web prior to 0.6.20.

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{
  "affected": [
    {
      "package": {
        "ecosystem": "PyPI",
        "name": "calibreweb"
      },
      "ranges": [
        {
          "events": [
            {
              "introduced": "0"
            },
            {
              "fixed": "0.6.20"
            }
          ],
          "type": "ECOSYSTEM"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2022-2525"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-307"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": true,
    "github_reviewed_at": "2023-04-24T22:41:31Z",
    "nvd_published_at": "2023-04-15T13:15:00Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts in GitHub repository janeczku/calibre-web prior to 0.6.20.",
  "id": "GHSA-jg8w-wgx2-g7q4",
  "modified": "2023-04-24T22:41:31Z",
  "published": "2023-04-15T15:30:15Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-2525"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/janeczku/calibre-web/commit/49e4f540c9b204c7e39b3c27ceadecd83ed60e7e"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://huntr.dev/bounties/9ff87820-c14c-4454-9764-406496254ef0"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [],
  "summary": "Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts in calibreweb"
}

GHSA-JH24-R4RP-JW9M

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 19:03 – Updated: 2022-06-04 00:00
VLAI
Details

It was found that all versions of 3Scale developer portal lacked brute force protections. An attacker could use this gap to bypass login controls, and access privileged information, or possibly conduct further attacks.

Severity
7.3 (High)
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L
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{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2021-3412"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-307"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2021-06-01T14:15:00Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "It was found that all versions of 3Scale developer portal lacked brute force protections. An attacker could use this gap to bypass login controls, and access privileged information, or possibly conduct further attacks.",
  "id": "GHSA-jh24-r4rp-jw9m",
  "modified": "2022-06-04T00:00:41Z",
  "published": "2022-05-24T19:03:43Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-3412"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1928301"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-JHM7-29PJ-4XVF

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-04-16 21:09 – Updated: 2026-04-24 20:53
VLAI
Summary
@node-oauth/oauth2-server: PKCE code_verifier ABNF not enforced in token exchange allows brute-force redemption of intercepted authorization codes
Details

Summary

The token exchange path accepts RFC7636-invalid code_verifier values (including one-character strings) for S256 PKCE flows.
Because short/weak verifiers are accepted and failed verifier attempts do not consume the authorization code, an attacker who intercepts an authorization code can brute-force code_verifier guesses online until token issuance succeeds.

Root cause

  1. lib/pkce/pkce.js (getHashForCodeChallenge) only checks that verifier is a non-empty string before hashing for S256; it does not enforce RFC7636 ABNF (43..128 unreserved chars).
  2. lib/grant-types/authorization-code-grant-type.js compares hash(code_verifier) to stored codeChallenge without validating verifier format/length.
  3. In AuthorizationCodeGrantType.handle, authorization code revocation happens after verifier validation. Invalid guesses fail before revoke, so the same code can be retried repeatedly.

Steps to Reproduce

Setup

  • PKCE authorization code exists with:
  • codeChallengeMethod = "S256"
  • codeChallenge = BASE64URL(SHA256("z")) (verifier is one character, RFC-invalid)
  • Attacker has intercepted the authorization code value.

Reproduction

  1. Send repeated token requests with guessed code_verifier values:
POST /token HTTP/1.1
Host: oauth.example
Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded

grant_type=authorization_code&
client_id=client1&
client_secret=s3cret&
code=stolen-auth-code&
redirect_uri=https://client.example/callback&
code_verifier=<guess>
  1. Observe invalid guesses return invalid_grant.
  2. Continue guessing (a..z).
  3. When code_verifier=z, token issuance succeeds and returns bearer tokens.

Confirmed PoC output

BRUTE_FORCE_SUCCESS { tries: 26, guess: 'z', status: 200, tokenIssued: true }

Impact

An intercepted authorization code can be redeemed by brute-forcing low-entropy verifiers that the server should have rejected under RFC7636.
This weakens PKCE’s protection goal and allows token theft when clients generate short/predictable verifiers.

Recommended Fix

  1. Enforce pkce.codeChallengeMatchesABNF(request.body.code_verifier) in authorization code token exchange before hashing/comparison.
  2. Reject verifier values outside RFC7636 charset/length (43..128 unreserved).
  3. Invalidate authorization codes on failed verifier attempts (or add strict retry limits) to prevent online guessing.
Severity
5.9 (Medium)
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
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{
  "affected": [
    {
      "database_specific": {
        "last_known_affected_version_range": "\u003c= 5.2.1"
      },
      "package": {
        "ecosystem": "npm",
        "name": "@node-oauth/oauth2-server"
      },
      "ranges": [
        {
          "events": [
            {
              "introduced": "0"
            },
            {
              "fixed": "5.3.0"
            }
          ],
          "type": "ECOSYSTEM"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2026-41213"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-1289",
      "CWE-307"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": true,
    "github_reviewed_at": "2026-04-16T21:09:50Z",
    "nvd_published_at": "2026-04-23T19:17:29Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "## Summary\n\nThe token exchange path accepts RFC7636-invalid `code_verifier` values (including one-character strings) for `S256` PKCE flows.  \nBecause short/weak verifiers are accepted and failed verifier attempts do not consume the authorization code, an attacker who intercepts an authorization code can brute-force `code_verifier` guesses online until token issuance succeeds.\n\n\n\n### Root cause\n\n1. `lib/pkce/pkce.js` (`getHashForCodeChallenge`) only checks that `verifier` is a non-empty string before hashing for `S256`; it does not enforce RFC7636 ABNF (`43..128` unreserved chars).\n2. `lib/grant-types/authorization-code-grant-type.js` compares `hash(code_verifier)` to stored `codeChallenge` without validating verifier format/length.\n3. In `AuthorizationCodeGrantType.handle`, authorization code revocation happens **after** verifier validation. Invalid guesses fail before revoke, so the same code can be retried repeatedly.\n\n## Steps to Reproduce\n\n### Setup\n\n- PKCE authorization code exists with:\n  - `codeChallengeMethod = \"S256\"`\n  - `codeChallenge = BASE64URL(SHA256(\"z\"))` (verifier is one character, RFC-invalid)\n- Attacker has intercepted the authorization code value.\n\n### Reproduction\n\n1. Send repeated token requests with guessed `code_verifier` values:\n\n```http\nPOST /token HTTP/1.1\nHost: oauth.example\nContent-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded\n\ngrant_type=authorization_code\u0026\nclient_id=client1\u0026\nclient_secret=s3cret\u0026\ncode=stolen-auth-code\u0026\nredirect_uri=https://client.example/callback\u0026\ncode_verifier=\u003cguess\u003e\n```\n\n2. Observe invalid guesses return `invalid_grant`.\n3. Continue guessing (`a`..`z`).\n4. When `code_verifier=z`, token issuance succeeds and returns bearer tokens.\n\n### Confirmed PoC output\n\n```text\nBRUTE_FORCE_SUCCESS { tries: 26, guess: \u0027z\u0027, status: 200, tokenIssued: true }\n```\n\n## Impact\n\nAn intercepted authorization code can be redeemed by brute-forcing low-entropy verifiers that the server should have rejected under RFC7636.  \nThis weakens PKCE\u2019s protection goal and allows token theft when clients generate short/predictable verifiers.\n\n## Recommended Fix\n\n1. Enforce `pkce.codeChallengeMatchesABNF(request.body.code_verifier)` in authorization code token exchange before hashing/comparison.\n2. Reject verifier values outside RFC7636 charset/length (`43..128` unreserved).\n3. Invalidate authorization codes on failed verifier attempts (or add strict retry limits) to prevent online guessing.",
  "id": "GHSA-jhm7-29pj-4xvf",
  "modified": "2026-04-24T20:53:49Z",
  "published": "2026-04-16T21:09:50Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/node-oauth/node-oauth2-server/security/advisories/GHSA-jhm7-29pj-4xvf"
    },
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-41213"
    },
    {
      "type": "PACKAGE",
      "url": "https://github.com/node-oauth/node-oauth2-server"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ],
  "summary": "@node-oauth/oauth2-server: PKCE code_verifier ABNF not enforced in token exchange allows brute-force redemption of intercepted authorization codes"
}

GHSA-JHV5-CXF2-R67V

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-10-23 21:30 – Updated: 2023-10-30 21:33
VLAI
Details

UVDesk Community Skeleton v1.1.1 allows unauthenticated attackers to perform brute force attacks on the login page to gain access to the application.

Severity
9.8 (Critical)
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
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{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2023-37635"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-307"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2023-10-23T21:15:08Z",
    "severity": null
  },
  "details": "UVDesk Community Skeleton v1.1.1 allows unauthenticated attackers to perform brute force attacks on the login page to gain access to the application.",
  "id": "GHSA-jhv5-cxf2-r67v",
  "modified": "2023-10-30T21:33:39Z",
  "published": "2023-10-23T21:30:58Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-37635"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.esecforte.com/cve-2023-37635-login-bruteforce"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-JJ3X-G5H8-MG65

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-12-05 21:30 – Updated: 2025-12-05 21:30
VLAI
Details

Dell CloudBoost Virtual Appliance, versions 19.13.0.0 and prior, contains an Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts vulnerability. An unauthenticated attacker with remote access could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to unauthorized access.

Severity
7.0 (High)
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:H
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{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2025-46603"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-307"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2025-12-05T19:15:48Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "Dell CloudBoost Virtual Appliance, versions 19.13.0.0 and prior, contains an Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts vulnerability. An unauthenticated attacker with remote access could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to unauthorized access.",
  "id": "GHSA-jj3x-g5h8-mg65",
  "modified": "2025-12-05T21:30:23Z",
  "published": "2025-12-05T21:30:23Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-46603"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000397417/dsa-2025-387-security-update-for-dell-cloudboost-virtual-appliance-multiple-vulnerabilities"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-JJ96-GGR5-64RP

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 03:46 – Updated: 2025-11-05 00:31
VLAI
Details

Beckhoff Embedded PC images before 2014-10-22 and Automation Device Specification (ADS) TwinCAT components do not restrict the number of authentication attempts, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain access via a brute-force attack.

Severity
9.1 (Critical)
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
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{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2014-5414"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-307"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2016-10-05T10:59:00Z",
    "severity": "CRITICAL"
  },
  "details": "Beckhoff Embedded PC images before 2014-10-22 and Automation Device Specification (ADS) TwinCAT components do not restrict the number of authentication attempts, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain access via a brute-force attack.",
  "id": "GHSA-jj96-ggr5-64rp",
  "modified": "2025-11-05T00:31:12Z",
  "published": "2022-05-17T03:46:06Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2014-5414"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://download.beckhoff.com/download/document/product-security/Advisories/advisory-2014-001.pdf"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://download.beckhoff.com/download/document/product-security/Advisories/advisory-2014-002.pdf"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://download.beckhoff.com/download/document/product-security/Advisories/advisory-2014-003.pdf"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/cisagov/CSAF/blob/develop/csaf_files/OT/white/2016/icsa-16-278-02.json"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://ics-cert.us-cert.gov/advisories/ICSA-16-278-02"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/ics-advisories/icsa-16-278-02"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/93349"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}
Mitigation
Architecture and Design
  • Common protection mechanisms include:
  • Disconnecting the user after a small number of failed attempts
  • Implementing a timeout
  • Locking out a targeted account
  • Requiring a computational task on the user's part.
Mitigation MIT-4
Architecture and Design

Strategy: Libraries or Frameworks

  • Use a vetted library or framework that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid [REF-1482].
  • Consider using libraries with authentication capabilities such as OpenSSL or the ESAPI Authenticator. [REF-45]
CAPEC-16: Dictionary-based Password Attack

An attacker tries each of the words in a dictionary as passwords to gain access to the system via some user's account. If the password chosen by the user was a word within the dictionary, this attack will be successful (in the absence of other mitigations). This is a specific instance of the password brute forcing attack pattern.

Dictionary Attacks differ from similar attacks such as Password Spraying (CAPEC-565) and Credential Stuffing (CAPEC-600), since they leverage unknown username/password combinations and don't care about inducing account lockouts.

CAPEC-49: Password Brute Forcing

An adversary tries every possible value for a password until they succeed. A brute force attack, if feasible computationally, will always be successful because it will essentially go through all possible passwords given the alphabet used (lower case letters, upper case letters, numbers, symbols, etc.) and the maximum length of the password.

CAPEC-560: Use of Known Domain Credentials

An adversary guesses or obtains (i.e. steals or purchases) legitimate credentials (e.g. userID/password) to achieve authentication and to perform authorized actions under the guise of an authenticated user or service.

CAPEC-565: Password Spraying

In a Password Spraying attack, an adversary tries a small list (e.g. 3-5) of common or expected passwords, often matching the target's complexity policy, against a known list of user accounts to gain valid credentials. The adversary tries a particular password for each user account, before moving onto the next password in the list. This approach assists the adversary in remaining undetected by avoiding rapid or frequent account lockouts. The adversary may then reattempt the process with additional passwords, once enough time has passed to prevent inducing a lockout.

CAPEC-600: Credential Stuffing

An adversary tries known username/password combinations against different systems, applications, or services to gain additional authenticated access. Credential Stuffing attacks rely upon the fact that many users leverage the same username/password combination for multiple systems, applications, and services.

CAPEC-652: Use of Known Kerberos Credentials

An adversary obtains (i.e. steals or purchases) legitimate Kerberos credentials (e.g. Kerberos service account userID/password or Kerberos Tickets) with the goal of achieving authenticated access to additional systems, applications, or services within the domain.

CAPEC-653: Use of Known Operating System Credentials

An adversary guesses or obtains (i.e. steals or purchases) legitimate operating system credentials (e.g. userID/password) to achieve authentication and to perform authorized actions on the system, under the guise of an authenticated user or service. This applies to any Operating System.

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