Usage of weak encryption algorithm on a password (RC4)

Overview

• Rule ID: javascript_lang_weak_password_encryption_rc4

• Applicable Languages: Javascript

• Weakness ID: CWE-326

Description

Using RC4 to encrypt passwords is insecure. RC4 is a weak encryption algorithm that can be easily compromised, posing significant security risks. Additionally, employing any form of encryption for passwords is not recommended because encryption is reversible. This means that, with sufficient resources, an attacker could decrypt the passwords and access them in plain text. Hashing is the preferred method for securing passwords, as it is a one-way process that prevents retrieval of the original password.

Remediation Guidelines

• Avoid using RC4 or any encryption algorithm for password storage. Encryption methods are insufficiently secure for protecting passwords and can be reversed to reveal plain text passwords.

• Use a secure hashing algorithm designed specifically for password storage, such as Argon2id. Hashing is a one-way process, providing significantly better security for storing passwords.

  const argon2 = require("argon2");
  const hash = await argon2.hash(req.params.password, { type: argon2.argon2id })
  

References

• OWASP Password Storage Cheat Sheet

• CWE-326: Inadequate Encryption Strength

• OWASP Top 10: A02:2021 - Cryptographic Failures

Configuration

To omit this rule during a scan, and to provide you with continuous 24/7 code-level scanning, you can employ our SAST TOOL