Use of Client-Side Authentication
Draft Base
Structure: Simple
Description
A client/server product performs authentication within client code but not in server code, allowing server-side authentication to be bypassed via a modified client that omits the authentication check.
Client-side authentication is extremely weak and may be breached easily. Any attacker may read the source code and reverse-engineer the authentication mechanism to access parts of the application which would otherwise be protected.
Common Consequences 1
Scope: Access Control
Impact: Bypass Protection MechanismGain Privileges or Assume Identity
Potential Mitigations 1
Phase: Architecture and Design
Do not rely on client side data. Always perform server side authentication.
Demonstrative Examples 1
ID : DX-153
In 2022, the OT:ICEFALL study examined products by 10 different Operational Technology (OT) vendors. The researchers reported 56 vulnerabilities and said that the products were "insecure by design" [REF-1283]. If exploited, these vulnerabilities often allowed adversaries to change how the products operated, ranging from denial of service to changing the code that the products executed. Since these products were often used in industries such as power, electrical, water, and others, there could even be safety implications.Multiple vendors used client-side authentication in their OT products.
Observed Examples 2
CVE-2022-33139SCADA system only uses client-side authentication, allowing adversaries to impersonate other users.
CVE-2006-0230Client-side check for a password allows access to a server using crafted XML requests from a modified client.
References 2
The Art of Software Security Assessment
Mark Dowd, John McDonald, and Justin Schuh
Addison Wesley
2006
ID: REF-62
OT:ICEFALL: The legacy of "insecure by design" and its implications for certifications and risk management
Forescout Vedere Labs
20-06-2022
ID: REF-1283
Applicable Platforms
Languages:
Not Language-Specific : Undetermined
Technologies:
ICS/OT : Undetermined
Modes of Introduction
Architecture and Design
Implementation
Related Weaknesses