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[📚] Do not recommend SMS-based MFA #17202

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cbenhagen opened this issue Mar 16, 2025 · 0 comments · May be fixed by #17212
Open

[📚] Do not recommend SMS-based MFA #17202

cbenhagen opened this issue Mar 16, 2025 · 0 comments · May be fixed by #17212
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good first issue Good for newcomers type: documentation Improvements or additions to documentation

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@cbenhagen
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https://firebase.google.com/docs/auth/flutter/multi-factor needs a warning that SMS-based MFA should not be used.

All industry leaders as well as the CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) recommend migrating away from SMS-based MFA. See the CISA memo from Dec 24: https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/2024-12/guidance-mobile-communications-best-practices.pdf

Migrate away from Short Message Service (SMS)-based MFA. Do not use SMS as a second factor for
authentication. SMS messages are not encrypted—a threat actor with access to a telecommunication
provider’s network who intercepts these messages can read them. SMS MFA is not phishing-resistant
and is therefore not strong authentication for accounts of highly targeted individuals

Also see this document by Google: https://cloud.google.com/solutions/modern-password-security-for-system-designers.pdf which states:

Avoid the use of SMS-based MFA. SMS is an insecure technology that is easy to compromise or spoof with
no authentication mechanism or eavesdropping protection. Messages can be hijacked by a malicious app,
or a malicious actor could intercept the message by spoofing the device or by using social engineering to
transfer service to a device they control.

@cbenhagen cbenhagen added good first issue Good for newcomers type: documentation Improvements or additions to documentation labels Mar 16, 2025
@MichaelVerdon MichaelVerdon linked a pull request Mar 19, 2025 that will close this issue
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