CWE-324—Use of a Key Past its Expiration Date

Weakness Name

Use of a Key Past its Expiration Date

Description

The product uses a cryptographic key or password past its expiration date, which diminishes its safety significantly by increasing the timing window for cracking attacks against that key.

While the expiration of keys does not necessarily ensure that they are compromised, it is a significant concern that keys which remain in use for prolonged periods of time have a decreasing probability of integrity. For this reason, it is important to replace keys within a period of time proportional to their strength.

Common Consequences

Scope:

Access Control

Impact:

Bypass Protection Mechanism, Gain Privileges or Assume Identity

Notes:

The cryptographic key in question may be compromised, providing a malicious user with a method for authenticating as the victim.

Related Weaknesses

• CWE-298Improper Validation of Certificate ExpirationLow
• CWE-672Operation on a Resource after Expiration or Release