Trending...
- IGC Pharma Wins 2 Awards in Phase 1 of NIA's AI PREPARE Challenge, Advancing Alzheimer's Early Prediction Research
- The Ultimate Guide to Buying Historic Luxury Homes in Winter Park, FL Now Available
- New Study Reveals Alarming Cardiac Risks Associated with Electroshock Treatment
SILVER SPRING, Md. - PrAtlas -- Silent Sector, a leading cybersecurity firm specializing in protecting mid-market businesses, has discovered a major flaw in the two-factor authentication (2FA) enrollment process that could leave millions of organizations vulnerable to cyberattacks. The vulnerability lies in the use of QR codes for 2FA, a common security practice across industries, and poses an urgent threat to the security of organizations that rely on this method to protect sensitive accounts.
The vulnerability Silent Sector identified is related to the secret key embedded in QR codes used for 2FA enrollment. When users scan a QR code to link their authentication apps, such as Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator, to access their accounts, the secret key that allows this link never expires. This creates a critical security risk: if a QR code was sent via email, saved to a device, or stored in a repository, hackers could potentially access that code, re-enroll in the 2FA process, and bypass account security measures.
"Many organizations trust QR codes as part of their authentication systems, but this discovery shows a significant gap in security," said Lauro Chavez, Partner and Head of Research at Silent Sector. "The issue is that these QR codes, and the secret keys they contain, can be reused indefinitely. That's a massive risk if they fall into the wrong hands."
More on PrAtlas
The Scale of the Threat
Two-factor authentication, or 2FA, is widely used by businesses and individuals to add an extra layer of security to account logins. The process typically requires users to enter not just a password but also a one-time passcode (OTP), which is generated by an authentication app on a user's phone. This is typically performed after enrolling in the multi-factor authentication process. This process is frequently enabled by scanning a QR code during the initial setup.
Indeed, for the better part of a decade, QR code-based 2FA has been considered a highly secure method because it was believed that the secret key embedded in the code expired after the initial setup. However, Silent Sector's discovery reveals that this is not the case. The secret key embedded in the QR code remains valid indefinitely, allowing a malicious actor to use it to re-enroll and gain access to accounts even if the original user is unaware.
"This vulnerability has the potential to impact millions of businesses worldwide, especially those in the mid-market, which may not have the resources or expertise to deal with such sophisticated threats," Chavez explained. "The ability to reuse these codes without expiration is particularly concerning, as many organizations may not even realize the risk."
To read the remainder of the interview, please visit:
https://bit.ly/3zEuqTs
The vulnerability Silent Sector identified is related to the secret key embedded in QR codes used for 2FA enrollment. When users scan a QR code to link their authentication apps, such as Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator, to access their accounts, the secret key that allows this link never expires. This creates a critical security risk: if a QR code was sent via email, saved to a device, or stored in a repository, hackers could potentially access that code, re-enroll in the 2FA process, and bypass account security measures.
"Many organizations trust QR codes as part of their authentication systems, but this discovery shows a significant gap in security," said Lauro Chavez, Partner and Head of Research at Silent Sector. "The issue is that these QR codes, and the secret keys they contain, can be reused indefinitely. That's a massive risk if they fall into the wrong hands."
More on PrAtlas
- CRH Healthcare Acquires Four Urgent Care Clinics in Georgia
- eCaregivers Launches First-Ever Consumer-Driven Senior Care Platform for Private-Pay Home Care Offering Affordable, Full-Service Agency Experience
- Sidow Sobrino's My Amir in the Running for GRAMMY® Nominations
- Reliance Aerotech Inc. Announces Appointment Of Ron Jordan To Chief Strategy Officer
- Stop Fighting, Start Living. Daryl Dittmer's New Book Offers Roadmap to Personal Power
The Scale of the Threat
Two-factor authentication, or 2FA, is widely used by businesses and individuals to add an extra layer of security to account logins. The process typically requires users to enter not just a password but also a one-time passcode (OTP), which is generated by an authentication app on a user's phone. This is typically performed after enrolling in the multi-factor authentication process. This process is frequently enabled by scanning a QR code during the initial setup.
Indeed, for the better part of a decade, QR code-based 2FA has been considered a highly secure method because it was believed that the secret key embedded in the code expired after the initial setup. However, Silent Sector's discovery reveals that this is not the case. The secret key embedded in the QR code remains valid indefinitely, allowing a malicious actor to use it to re-enroll and gain access to accounts even if the original user is unaware.
"This vulnerability has the potential to impact millions of businesses worldwide, especially those in the mid-market, which may not have the resources or expertise to deal with such sophisticated threats," Chavez explained. "The ability to reuse these codes without expiration is particularly concerning, as many organizations may not even realize the risk."
To read the remainder of the interview, please visit:
https://bit.ly/3zEuqTs
Source: Silent Sector
Filed Under: Technology, Security
0 Comments
Latest on PrAtlas
- New Study Reveals Alarming Cardiac Risks Associated with Electroshock Treatment
- The Ultimate Guide to Buying Historic Luxury Homes in Winter Park, FL Now Available
- And The Winner Is: Special Request Ft Rey T (AKA) Reynard Thomas
- Allegiant Management Group Launches New Website Following Recent Rebranding
- Celebrating 30 Years: 2024 Diversity Visa Lottery Opens Oct. 2, Offering Life-Changing Opportunities for U.S. Immigration
- Quidax Launches $125,000 Crypto Innovation Pitch, Partners with Moonshot for TC Battlefield
- Wagoner Roofing Launches New Website
- L-Strategies LLC terminates Angie Wong Miami Republican Committeewoman's contract with New Federal State of China NFSC
- Sara Abbas Excites Global Listeners With Much-Anticipated Viral Release Of New Single "Love You From A Distance"
- Horion M6APro Series IFPs Achieves Google EDLA Certification
- How to Get a Handicap Placard in California: Simplifying the Process for Disabled Drivers HandicapMD.com Offers Easy Online Certification for Disabled
- Use Bitcoin to Earn Bitcoin - Innovative Layer 2 Solution for Bitcoin
- Dr Joy Dental Clinic Recognized as a Superbrand for 2024
- T&S Communications at the 25th China International Optoelectronic Exposition (CIOE)
- Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies Celebrates New Doctor of Behavioral Health Graduates
- Local Provider Roadrunner Health Services Outperforms Corporate Competitors in New Mexico's Correctional Facilities
- Non Profit Organization "The Breast Cancer Fundraiser" Prepares for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
- Leading Arizona Real Estate Team Rebrands to SPACE, Marking a New Era in Real Estate Innovation
- Office Calgary Inc has Partnered with RingCentral to provide Telecommunications Systems
- Aquia Inc. Wins 5-Year $15-Million USPTO Continuous Authorization to Operate (cATO) Contract