Weak hashing library (MD5) detected

• Rule ID: java_lang_weak_hash_md5
• Languages: java
• Source: weak_hash_md5.yml

Description

A weak hashing library can lead to data breaches and greater security risk.

Remediations

According to OWASP, MD5 is considered a weak hashing algorithms and therefore shouldn't be used.

❌ Avoid libraries and algorithms with known weaknesses:

  MessageDigest md = MessageDigest.getInstance("MD5");

✅ Use stronger encryption algorithms when storing data.

  MessageDigest md = MessageDigest.getInstance("SHA-256");

Resources

• Java MessageDigest class

Associated CWE

• CWE-327: Use of a Broken or Risky Cryptographic Algorithm

OWASP Top 10

• A02:2021 - Cryptographic Failures

Configuration

To skip this rule during a scan, use the following flag

bearer scan /path/to/your-project/ --skip-rule=java_lang_weak_hash_md5

To run only this rule during a scan, use the following flag

bearer scan /path/to/your-project/ --only-rule=java_lang_weak_hash_md5