python.pycryptodome.security.insecure-cipher-algorithm.insecure-cipher-algorithm-xor

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Detected XOR cipher algorithm which is considered insecure. This algorithm is not cryptographically secure and can be reversed easily. Use AES instead.

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Defintion

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rules:
  - id: insecure-cipher-algorithm-xor
    message: Detected XOR cipher algorithm which is considered insecure. This
      algorithm is not cryptographically secure and can be reversed easily. Use
      AES instead.
    metadata:
      source-rule-url: https://github.com/PyCQA/bandit/blob/d5f8fa0d89d7b11442fc6ec80ca42953974354c8/bandit/blacklists/calls.py#L84
      cwe:
        - "CWE-327: Use of a Broken or Risky Cryptographic Algorithm"
      owasp:
        - A03:2017 - Sensitive Data Exposure
        - A02:2021 - Cryptographic Failures
      bandit-code: B304
      references:
        - https://stackoverflow.com/questions/1135186/whats-wrong-with-xor-encryption
      category: security
      technology:
        - pycryptodome
      subcategory:
        - vuln
      likelihood: LOW
      impact: MEDIUM
      confidence: MEDIUM
      license: Commons Clause License Condition v1.0[LGPL-2.1-only]
    severity: WARNING
    languages:
      - python
    pattern-either:
      - pattern: Cryptodome.Cipher.XOR.new(...)
      - pattern: Crypto.Cipher.XOR.new(...)

Examples

insecure-cipher-algorithm.py

# cf. https://github.com/PyCQA/bandit/blob/b78c938c0bd03d201932570f5e054261e10c5750/examples/ciphers.py

from Crypto.Cipher import AES
from Crypto.Cipher import ARC2 as pycrypto_arc2
from Crypto.Cipher import ARC4 as pycrypto_arc4
from Crypto.Cipher import Blowfish as pycrypto_blowfish
from Crypto.Cipher import DES as pycrypto_des
from Crypto.Cipher import XOR as pycrypto_xor
from Cryptodome.Cipher import ARC2 as pycryptodomex_arc2
from Cryptodome.Cipher import ARC4 as pycryptodomex_arc4
from Cryptodome.Cipher import Blowfish as pycryptodomex_blowfish
from Cryptodome.Cipher import DES as pycryptodomex_des
from Cryptodome.Cipher import XOR as pycryptodomex_xor
from Crypto.Hash import SHA
from Crypto import Random
from Crypto.Util import Counter

key = b'Super secret key'
plaintext = b'Encrypt me'
# ruleid:insecure-cipher-algorithm-xor
cipher = pycrypto_xor.new(key)
msg = cipher.encrypt(plaintext)
# ruleid:insecure-cipher-algorithm-xor
cipher = pycryptodomex_xor.new(key)
msg = cipher.encrypt(plaintext)

key = b'Sixteen byte key'
# ok:insecure-cipher-algorithm-xor
cipher = AES.new(key, AES.MODE_EAX, nonce=nonce)
plaintext = cipher.decrypt(ciphertext)
try:
    cipher.verify(tag)
    print("The message is authentic:", plaintext)
except ValueError:
    print("Key incorrect or message corrupted")