CVE-2023-46233

crypto-js PBKDF2 1,000 times weaker than specified in 1993 and 1.3M times weaker than current standard

Published Oct 25, 2023 CVSS 3.1 · 9.1 Critical EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
crypto-js is a JavaScript library of crypto standards. Prior to version 4.2.0, crypto-js PBKDF2 is 1,000 times weaker than originally specified in 1993, and at least 1,300,000 times weaker than current industry standard. This is because it both defaults to SHA1, a cryptographic hash algorithm considered insecure since at least 2005, and defaults to one single iteration, a 'strength' or 'difficulty' value specified at 1,000 when specified in 1993. PBKDF2 relies on iteration count as a countermeasure to preimage and collision attacks. If used to protect passwords, the impact is high. If used to generate signatures, the impact is high. Version 4.2.0 contains a patch for this issue. As a workaround, configure crypto-js to use SHA256 with at least 250,000 iterations.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Debian DLA Debian DLA DLA-3669-1 cryptojs security update
EUVD EUVD EUVD-2023-2840 crypto-js is a JavaScript library of crypto standards. Prior to version 4.2.0, crypto-js PBKDF2 is 1,000 times weaker than originally specified in 1993, and at least 1,300,000 times weaker than current industry standard. This is because it both defaults to SHA1, a cryptographic hash algorithm considered insecure since at least 2005, and defaults to one single iteration, a 'strength' or 'difficulty' value specified at 1,000 when specified in 1993. PBKDF2 relies on iteration count as a countermeasure to preimage and collision attacks. If used to protect passwords, the impact is high. If used to generate signatures, the impact is high. Version 4.2.0 contains a patch for this issue. As a workaround, configure crypto-js to use SHA256 with at least 250,000 iterations.
Github GHSA Github GHSA GHSA-xwcq-pm8m-c4vf crypto-js PBKDF2 1,000 times weaker than specified in 1993 and 1.3M times weaker than current standard
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-6753-1 CryptoJS vulnerability
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'yes', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
GitHub_M
Published
Updated
Jun 23, 2026, 5:19 PM
Reserved
Oct 19, 2023, 8:34 PM
Status
Modified
Published
Oct 25, 2023, 9:15 PM
Modified
Jun 23, 2026, 6:17 PM
Severity
Important
Public date
Oct 25, 2023, 12:00 AM