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Password change without identity check

Description​

The system allows a user to change their password without requesting the previous one or enforcing another identity verification mechanism.

Impact​

Gain total control over a user account.

Recommendation​

  • Guarantee that the current password is needed when a password change is requested by users.
  • Use a second authentication mechanism to ensure the password change is performed by the account owner.

Threat​

Authenticated attacker from the Internet.

Expected Remediation Time​

⌚ 15 minutes.

Score​

Default score using CVSS 3.1. It may change depending on the context of the vulnerability.

Base​

  • Attack vector: L
  • Attack complexity: L
  • Privileges required: N
  • User interaction: N
  • Scope: U
  • Confidentiality: N
  • Integrity: L
  • Availability: L

Temporal​

  • Exploit code madurity: X
  • Remediation level: U
  • Report confidence: C

Result​

  • Vector string: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:L/E:X/RL:U/RC:C
  • Score:
    • Base: 5.1
    • Temporal: 5.1
  • Severity:
    • Base: Medium
    • Temporal: Medium

Code Examples​

Compliant code​

The application includes methods to validate the account owner is requesting the password change

public void changePassword(userCredentials, newPassword){
  Password password = userCredentials.password;
  if(isValid(userCredentials.user, password)) {
    Account account = application.resetPassword(newPassword);
    //Code to redirect user and change password not shown
  }
}

Non compliant code​

The application does not validate the user is authorized to reset the password

public void changePassword(userId, newPassword){
  if(isValidUser(userId)) {
    Account account = application.resetPassword(newPassword);
  }
}

Requirements​

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