This vulnerability arises because there are no limitations on the number of authentication attempts a user can make. An attacker can exploit this weakness by continuously sending authentication requests, leading to a denial-of-service (DoS) condition. This can overwhelm the authentication system, rendering it unavailable to legitimate users and potentially causing service disruption. This can also allow attackers to conduct brute-force attacks to gain unauthorized access.
Weakness
The product does not implement sufficient measures to prevent multiple failed authentication attempts within a short time frame.
Potential Mitigations
Common protection mechanisms include:
Use a vetted library or framework that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid [REF-1482].
Consider using libraries with authentication capabilities such as OpenSSL or the ESAPI Authenticator. [REF-45]
Related Attack Patterns
- https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/16.html
- https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/49.html
- https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/560.html
- https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/565.html
- https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/600.html
- https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/652.html
- https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/653.html