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Description

The use of single-factor authentication can lead to unnecessary risk of compromise when compared with the benefits of a dual-factor authentication scheme.

While the use of multiple authentication schemes is simply piling on more complexity on top of authentication, it is inestimably valuable to have such measures of redundancy. The use of weak, reused, and common passwords is rampant on the internet. Without the added protection of multiple authentication schemes, a single mistake can result in the compromise of an account. For this reason, if multiple schemes are possible and also easy to use, they should be implemented and required.

Modes of Introduction:

– Architecture and Design

 

Likelihood of Exploit: High

 

Related Weaknesses

CWE-287
CWE-654
CWE-309

 

Consequences

Access Control: Bypass Protection Mechanism

If the secret in a single-factor authentication scheme gets compromised, full authentication is possible.

 

Potential Mitigations

Phase: Architecture and Design

Description: 

Use multiple independent authentication schemes, which ensures that — if one of the methods is compromised — the system itself is still likely safe from compromise.

CVE References