CVE-2024-55374 Overview
CVE-2024-55374 is an Information Disclosure vulnerability affecting REDCap version 14.3.13. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to enumerate valid usernames through observable discrepancies in the application's response behavior during login attempts. This type of vulnerability, classified as CWE-203 (Observable Discrepancy), enables attackers to distinguish between valid and invalid usernames based on differences in application responses.
Critical Impact
Attackers can enumerate valid usernames without authentication, enabling targeted password attacks, social engineering campaigns, and credential stuffing operations against confirmed user accounts.
Affected Products
- REDCap 14.3.13
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-01-02 - CVE-2024-55374 published to NVD
- 2026-01-06 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-55374
Vulnerability Analysis
This vulnerability exists in the authentication mechanism of REDCap 14.3.13. The application exhibits different behaviors when processing login attempts for valid versus invalid usernames, creating an observable discrepancy that attackers can exploit. This information leakage occurs at the network level without requiring any privileges or user interaction, making it accessible to any remote attacker.
The flaw allows attackers to build a list of valid user accounts within a REDCap installation. While the vulnerability itself does not directly compromise credentials, the enumerated usernames serve as a foundation for subsequent attacks including brute-force password attempts, phishing campaigns targeting specific users, and credential stuffing attacks using compromised passwords from other breaches.
Root Cause
The root cause of CVE-2024-55374 is an observable discrepancy vulnerability (CWE-203) in the login functionality. The application fails to provide consistent responses regardless of whether the submitted username exists in the system. This could manifest through differences in error messages, response times, HTTP status codes, or other behavioral variations that reveal username validity.
Attack Vector
The attack is network-based and requires no authentication or user interaction. An attacker can systematically submit login requests with potential usernames and analyze the application's responses to determine which accounts exist. This reconnaissance phase typically precedes more targeted attacks against confirmed user accounts.
The vulnerability can be exploited through automated tools that submit login requests and compare response characteristics. Common indicators of username validity include distinct error messages (e.g., "Invalid password" vs. "User not found"), measurable timing differences in response delivery, or variations in response headers or content length.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-55374
Indicators of Compromise
- High volume of failed authentication attempts from single IP addresses
- Sequential or patterned login attempts testing common username formats
- Unusual traffic patterns targeting the REDCap login endpoint
- Authentication logs showing rapid-fire login attempts with varying usernames
Detection Strategies
- Monitor authentication logs for abnormal patterns of failed login attempts
- Implement rate limiting detection to identify enumeration attempts
- Deploy web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect automated username probing
- Correlate authentication failures with subsequent targeted attacks against specific accounts
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable detailed logging on REDCap authentication endpoints
- Configure alerts for login failure thresholds exceeding normal baselines
- Monitor for tools commonly used in username enumeration attacks
- Review authentication logs regularly for patterns indicating reconnaissance activity
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-55374
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade REDCap to the latest patched version when available
- Implement rate limiting on authentication endpoints to slow enumeration attempts
- Deploy CAPTCHA or similar controls after multiple failed login attempts
- Configure network-level protections to detect and block automated attacks
Patch Information
Consult the REDCap Official Site for official security patches and updated versions addressing this vulnerability. A proof-of-concept repository is available at GitHub PoC Repository which may provide additional technical context.
Workarounds
- Implement generic error messages that do not distinguish between invalid usernames and incorrect passwords
- Add artificial delays to authentication responses to normalize timing variations
- Configure account lockout policies to limit the effectiveness of enumeration attacks
- Consider implementing multi-factor authentication to reduce the impact of username enumeration
- Deploy IP-based blocking for sources exhibiting enumeration behavior
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
