CVE-2024-22588: Kwik Commit 745fd4e2 Fails to Discard Unused Encryption Keys – A Crucial Security Weakness

A recent vulnerability discovered in the open-source project Kwik, specifically commit 745fd4e2, was assigned the CVE (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) identifier CVE-2024-22588. The core problem in this commit is that it does not properly discard unused encryption keys. This exposes users to severe security risks, such as unauthorized access and information leakage. In this post, we will delve into the details of this vulnerability, discuss its consequences, and share some possible solutions to mitigate the risks associated with it.

Details of the Vulnerability

The issue arises when Kwik handles encryption keys used to secure sensitive data. Encryption keys serve as the basis for ensuring that only authorized users can access the protected information. However, in commit 745fd4e2, unused encryption keys are not discarded, allowing attackers to potentially access the retained keys and decrypt encrypted data.

Here's the code snippet from the problematic commit

// Encrypt data function
function encryptData(data) {
  // ...
  // Key generation and encryption logic
  // ...

  // Unused encryption keys should be discarded
  // Missing key discard logic
}

// Decrypt data function
function decryptData(data, key) {
  // ...
  // Decryption logic
  // ...
}

As seen in the code snippet above, the missing logic to discard unused encryption keys should be in the encryptData function. The fact that these keys are not discarded opens the door for potential attacks.

The affected commit can be viewed at the following link

https://github.com/kwik-repo/kwik/commit/745fd4e2

An attacker can potentially exploit this vulnerability in two ways

1. Brute-force attack: If the encryption keys are not discarded, the attacker can attempt a brute-force attack by trying a large number of possible key combinations until the correct one is found. This will grant them unauthorized access to sensitive data.

2. Memory inspection: Advanced attackers can exploit this flaw by inspecting the memory of a system running the vulnerable code and extracting the unused keys directly.

Regardless of the exploit method used, the consequences are severe, as the attackers gain unauthorized access to sensitive information which can lead to data breaches, information leakage, and damaged reputation for the affected organization or individuals.

To mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability, developers should do the following

1. Apply a patch that introduces the missing logic to discard unused encryption keys, as shown in the code snippet below:

`

// Encrypt data function

function encryptData(data) {

// ...
// Key generation and encryption logic
// ...

// Discard unused encryption keys

key = null;

}

`

2. Review their codebase to secure any other instances where encryption keys might not be discarded correctly.

3. Enable secure coding practices to ensure that such vulnerabilities are not reintroduced in the future. Some useful resources for secure coding practices include OWASP's Secure Coding Practices and CERT's Secure Coding Standards.

Conclusion

The Kwik commit 745fd4e2 represents a critical security weakness that must be addressed promptly. By understanding the exploit details and taking appropriate actions to mitigate the risks, developers can protect their users from unauthorized access and data leakage. Always keep up to date with the latest security advisories and stay vigilant for possible vulnerabilities in your software.

Timeline

Published on: 05/24/2024 15:15:23 UTC
Last modified on: 08/22/2024 19:35:11 UTC