OpenC3 COSMOS Authentication Bypass Vulnerability Due to Weak Password Requirements

A vulnerability in OpenC3 COSMOS version 6.0.0 allows attackers to bypass authentication by exploiting weak password requirements. The application supports clear-text passwords, which can be brute-forced more easily than hashed passwords, especially since OpenC3 permits passwords as short as eight characters. Additionally, there are undocumented service accounts that can be leveraged for authentication.

Impact

Exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access by bypassing authentication mechanisms, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate application functionalities or access sensitive data.

Reproduction

To reproduce this vulnerability, attempt to log in using a clear-text password. Given the password length allowance, a brute-force attack can be executed to guess the password. The presence of undocumented service accounts can also be used to bypass authentication.

Remediation

It is recommended to eliminate the use of clear-text passwords in the authentication process and to document the existence and management of service account passwords.