OctoPrint Timing Attack Vulnerability in API Key Authentication

A timing attack vulnerability has been identified in OctoPrint versions through 1.11.5, allowing for the extraction of API keys over the network. This vulnerability arises from the use of character-based comparison in API key validation, which short-circuits upon the first mismatched character. An attacker with network access to an affected OctoPrint instance could potentially extract valid API keys by measuring the response times of denied access responses and guessing the API key characters one by one. The effectiveness of this attack depends on the network's latency and noise. The vulnerability has been patched in OctoPrint version 1.11.6.

Impact

Exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized extraction of API keys, allowing attackers to gain access to the OctoPrint instance with the same privileges as the API key owner.

Remediation

Users can upgrade to OctoPrint version 1.11.6 to address this vulnerability. Instructions for downloading this version are available on the OctoPrint GitHub Releases page.