What is Broken Authentication and Session Management Second Factor Authentication (2FA) Bypass Vulnerability?

Session variables, for those who are unfamiliar, are server-side variables whose values are related to the current session. This implies that whenever a person visits your website, you may save their username in the session variable as they log in, and it will be available until the session ends or the user logs out. If another user signs in, a new session is started, and the session variable returns a different username for that user.

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a security mechanism that stops an attacker from stealing your account if they know your password. In addition to your standard password, the website you’re attempting to access asks you to enter a second code. This code should have been produced using a Time-based One-Time Password (TOTP) technique. When you enable 2FA, the website usually sends you a string of letters and numbers, or a QR code, which you must scan or input into an app on your phone. It will also provide you with a backup code in case you lose access to your phone.

The application will then generate a new, extra password on a continual basis based on the secret code and the current UNIX timestamp. These extra passwords are typically produced every 30 seconds (think Google Authenticator). The notion is that while an attacker may be able to recover your password through numerous ways, gaining control of the device on which your second code (2FA) is produced is typically impossible. In addition to cellphones, specific hardware devices are available for creating these codes.

For an attacker, the question is whether or not 2FA can be bypassed.

In many circumstances, the answer is ‘yes.’ TOTP isn’t the only way used by websites to implement 2FA. Some people use emails with the code, while others use SMS or phone calls. Because people repeat passwords, the password for a website and the password for an email account are frequently the same words. As a result, an attacker may simply access the email account and view the code. Attackers can also intercept SMS text messages and phone calls using various tactics and gimmicks. TOTP, in my opinion, is the way to go.

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