CWE-521: Weak Password Requirements

ID CWE-521

Abstraction Base

Structure Simple

Status Draft

Number of CVEs 191

The product does not require that users should have strong passwords, which makes it easier for attackers to compromise user accounts.

Authentication mechanisms often rely on a memorized secret (also known as a password) to provide an assertion of identity for a user of a system. It is therefore important that this password be of sufficient complexity and impractical for an adversary to guess. The specific requirements around how complex a password needs to be depends on the type of system being protected. Selecting the correct password requirements and enforcing them through implementation are critical to the overall success of the authentication mechanism.

Modes of Introduction

Phase	Note
Architecture and Design	COMMISSION: This weakness refers to an incorrect design related to an architectural security tactic.
Implementation	Not enforcing the password policy stated in a products design can allow users to create passwords that do not provide the necessary level of protection.

Applicable Platforms

Type	Class	Name	Prevalence
Language	Not Language-Specific
Technology	Not Technology-Specific

Relationships

View			Weakness
# ID	View	Status	# ID	Name	Abstraction	Structure	Status
CWE-1000	Research Concepts	Draft	CWE-1391	Use of Weak Credentials	Class	Simple	Incomplete
CWE-1003	Weaknesses for Simplified Mapping of Published Vulnerabilities	Incomplete	CWE-287	Improper Authentication	Class	Simple	Draft

Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)

The Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC™) effort provides a publicly available catalog of common attack patterns that helps users understand how adversaries exploit weaknesses in applications and other cyber-enabled capabilities.

CAPEC at Mitre.org

# ID	Name	Weaknesses
CAPEC-16	Dictionary-based Password Attack	CWE-521
CAPEC-49	Password Brute Forcing	CWE-521
CAPEC-55	Rainbow Table Password Cracking	CWE-521
CAPEC-70	Try Common or Default Usernames and Passwords	CWE-521
CAPEC-112	Brute Force	CWE-521
CAPEC-509	Kerberoasting	CWE-521
CAPEC-555	Remote Services with Stolen Credentials	CWE-521
CAPEC-561	Windows Admin Shares with Stolen Credentials	CWE-521
CAPEC-565	Password Spraying	CWE-521

CVEs Published

Based on CVE published date

CVSS Severity

CVSS Severity - By Year

CVSS Base Score

# CVE	Description	CVSS	EPSS	EPSS Trend (30 days)	Affected Products	Weaknesses	Security Advisories	Exploits	PoC	Pubblication Date	Modification Date
# CVE	Description	CVSS	EPSS	EPSS Trend (30 days)	Affected Products	Weaknesses	Security Advisories	PoC	Pubblication Date	Modification Date