Weak encryption algorithm (RC4) used for password detected.

• Rule ID: javascript_lang_weak_password_encryption_rc4
• Languages: javascript
• Source: weak_password_encryption_rc4.yml

Description

According to OWASP, RC4 is considered a weak encryption algorithm and therefore shouldn't be used.

Moreover, since encryption is reversible, it is possible to retrieve the plaintext value. This makes encryption a bad choice for passwords. Instead, passwords should be hashed.

Remediations

❌ Do not use encryption for passwords, wherever possible.

✅ Use a recommended hashing library such as Argon2id for passwords

  const argon2 = require("argon2");

  const hash = await argon2.hash(req.params.password, { type: argon2.argon2id })

Resources

• OWASP Password Storage Cheat Sheet

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=javascript_lang_weak_password_encryption_rc4

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

bearer scan /path/to/your-project/ --only-rule=javascript_lang_weak_password_encryption_rc4