CWE Database
/

CWE-322

Back to CWE list

CWE-322

Key Exchange without Entity Authentication

Base
Draft

Description

The product performs a key exchange with an actor without verifying the identity of that actor.

Performing a key exchange will preserve the integrity of the information sent between two entities, but this will not guarantee that the entities are who they claim they are. This may enable an attacker to impersonate an actor by modifying traffic between the two entities. Typically, this involves a victim client that contacts a malicious server that is impersonating a trusted server. If the client skips authentication or ignores an authentication failure, the malicious server may request authentication information from the user. The malicious server can then use this authentication information to log in to the trusted server using the victim's credentials, sniff traffic between the victim and trusted server, etc.

Common Consequences

Scope

Access Control

Impact

Bypass Protection Mechanism

Scope

Confidentiality

Impact

Read Application Data

Potential Mitigations

Architecture and Design

Ensure that proper authentication is included in the system design.

Implementation

Understand and properly implement all checks necessary to ensure the identity of entities involved in encrypted communications.

Applicable Platforms

Not Language-Specific

Security Training

Train your team to recognize and prevent security threats with our comprehensive security awareness program.

Start Training

Vulnerability Scanning

Discover vulnerabilities in your applications and infrastructure before attackers do.

Scan Now