Identification and Authentication Failure - Weak Password Policy
Vulnerability description:
During a security assessment of the website “https://www.dyson.com/”, it was
observed that the platform allows users to set weak passwords, such as “password1”,
during the registration or password reset process. This weak password policy poses a
significant security risk as it increases the likelihood of unauthorized access to user
accounts through brute force or dictionary attacks.
Affected components:
The identification and authentication mechanisms of the website
“https://www.dyson.com/”
are affected by the weak password policy
Impact assessment
The impact of allowing weak passwords includes:
Account compromise: Users with weak passwords are vulnerable to brute force or
dictionary attacks, allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to their accounts.
Data breach: Compromised accounts may contain sensitive personal information or
payment details, leading to data breaches and potential financial loss for users.
Reputation damage: Security vulnerabilities, such as weak password policies, can
erode user trust and confidence in the platform, leading to reputational damage for the
organization.
Steps to reproduce
Attempt to register a new account on the website “https://www.dyson.com/”.
During the registration process, set a weak password, such as “password1”, when
prompted to create a password.
Alternatively, attempt to reset the password for an existing account and set a weak
password during the password reset process.
Proposed mitigation or fix
To address identification and authentication failures due to weak password policies, several measures can be implemented. These include enforcing password complexity requirements, which mandate the use of strong passwords containing a mix of alphanumeric characters, special characters, and meeting minimum length criteria. Real-time password strength validation during registration and password reset processes can prevent the use of weak passwords. Educating users on creating strong passwords and emphasizing the importance of password security through educational materials or prompts during account registration is also crucial. Additionally, implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) provides an extra layer of security, reducing the risk of unauthorized access even if weak passwords are used.