CVE-2023-46233 crypto-js PBKDF2 1,000 times weaker than specified in 1993 and 1.3M times weaker than current standard
The crypto-js library uses weak PBKDF2 defaults, allowing attackers to easily crack protected passwords or forge signatures.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2023-46233?
CVE-2023-46233 is a critical vulnerability in brix crypto-js, published on 25 Oct 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Official description
crypto-js is a JavaScript library of crypto standards. Prior to version 4.2.0, crypto-js PBKDF2 is 1,000 times weaker than originally specified in 1993, and at least 1,300,000 times weaker than current industry standard. This is because it both defaults to SHA1, a cryptographic hash algorithm considered insecure since at least 2005, and defaults to one single iteration, a 'strength' or 'difficulty' value specified at 1,000 when specified in 1993. PBKDF2 relies on iteration count as a countermeasure to preimage and collision attacks. If used to protect passwords, the impact is high. If used to generate signatures, the impact is high. Version 4.2.0 contains a patch for this issue. As a workaround, configure crypto-js to use SHA256 with at least 250,000 iterations.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-46233?
2 open source packages ship an affected version, including crypto-js. It affects 1 product.
| Package | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
crypto-js npm | All versions | 4.2.0 |
crypto-js npm | All versions | 4.2.0 |
Products include Crypto-Js Project Crypto-Js.
How do I fix CVE-2023-46233?
Upgrade crypto-js to 4.2.0 or later.
Is CVE-2023-46233 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-46233 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in brix crypto-js
Sources
Also known as CLSA-2026-1773965917, DEBIAN-CVE-2023-46233, DLA-3669-1, GHSA-xwcq-pm8m-c4vf, MINI-2hqg-prvv-4g83, ROOT-APP-NPM-CVE-2023-46233 and 2 more.