CVE-2011-4973 Auth bypass in n/a

Critical 9.8 Published 15 Feb 2018 Updated 7 Aug 2024

Remote attackers can bypass authentication in mod_nss by using a valid certificate with the password 'password', leading to account takeover.

Exploited in the wild: Not known
Login needed: Not needed
Attackable: Over the internet
Victim action needed: Not needed
Fix: Available

What is CVE-2011-4973?

CVE-2011-4973 is a critical authentication bypass vulnerability in n/a, published on 15 Feb 2018. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

Official description

Authentication bypass vulnerability in mod_nss 1.0.8 allows remote attackers to assume the identity of a valid user by using their certificate and entering 'password' as the password.

Weakness: CWE-287

Which versions are affected by CVE-2011-4973?

It affects 1 product.

Linux distribution packages (12)

`mod_nss` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:5::client	All versions	`0:1.0.8-7.el5`
`mod_nss-debuginfo` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:5::client	All versions	`0:1.0.8-7.el5`
`mod_nss` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:5::server	All versions	`0:1.0.8-7.el5`
`mod_nss-debuginfo` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:5::server	All versions	`0:1.0.8-7.el5`
`mod_nss` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:6::client	All versions	`0:1.0.8-13.el6`
`mod_nss-debuginfo` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:6::client	All versions	`0:1.0.8-13.el6`
`mod_nss` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:6::computenode	All versions	`0:1.0.8-13.el6`
`mod_nss-debuginfo` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:6::computenode	All versions	`0:1.0.8-13.el6`
`mod_nss` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:6::server	All versions	`0:1.0.8-13.el6`
`mod_nss-debuginfo` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:6::server	All versions	`0:1.0.8-13.el6`
`mod_nss` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:6::workstation	All versions	`0:1.0.8-13.el6`
`mod_nss-debuginfo` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:6::workstation	All versions	`0:1.0.8-13.el6`

Products include Mod Nss Project Mod Nss.

How do I fix CVE-2011-4973?

Apply the vendor's patch.

Upgrade, and rotate credentials and sessions that may have been exposed. More about Authentication bypass.

Is CVE-2011-4973 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2011-4973 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Sources

Also known as GHSA-mmjq-r7xw-fqr8, RHBA-2011:1656, RHBA-2013:0009, UBUNTU-CVE-2011-4973.