Zitadel allows brute-forcing authentication factors

@@ -740,6 +740,15 @@ SystemDefaults:
       # If this is empty, the issuer is the requested domain
       # This is helpful in scenarios with multiple ZITADEL environments or virtual instances
       Issuer: "ZITADEL" # ZITADEL_SYSTEMDEFAULTS_MULTIFACTORS_OTP_ISSUER
+  Tarpit:
+    # The amount of failed attempts, the tarpit should start.
+    MinFailedAttempts: 5 # ZITADEL_SYSTEMDEFAULTS_TARPIT_MINFAILEDATTEMPTS
+    # The seconds that will be added per step.
+    StepDuration: 1s # ZITADEL_SYSTEMDEFAULTS_TARPIT_STEPDURATION
+    # The failed attempts that are needed to increase the tarpit by one step.
+    StepSize: 5 # ZITADEL_SYSTEMDEFAULTS_TARPIT_STEPSIZE
+    # The maximum duration the tarpit can reach.
+    MaxDuration: 10s # ZITADEL_SYSTEMDEFAULTS_TARPIT_MAXDURATION
   DomainVerification:
     VerificationGenerator:
       Length: 32 # ZITADEL_SYSTEMDEFAULTS_DOMAINVERIFICATION_VERIFICATIONGENERATOR_LENGTH

@@ -70,6 +70,7 @@ type Commands struct {
 	defaultRefreshTokenLifetime     time.Duration
 	defaultRefreshTokenIdleLifetime time.Duration
 	phoneCodeVerifier               func(ctx context.Context, id string) (senders.CodeGenerator, error)
+	tarpit                          func(failedAttempts uint64)
 
 	multifactors            domain.MultifactorConfigs
 	webauthnConfig          *webauthn_helper.Config
@@ -214,6 +215,7 @@ func StartCommands(
 		repo.newHashedSecret = newHashedSecretWithDefault(secretHasher, defaultSecretGenerators.ClientSecret)
 	}
 	repo.phoneCodeVerifier = repo.phoneCodeVerifierFromConfig
+	repo.tarpit = defaults.Tarpit.Tarpit()
 	return repo, nil
 }
 

@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ type SessionCommands struct {
 	getCodeVerifier      func(ctx context.Context, id string) (senders.CodeGenerator, error)
 	now                  func() time.Time
 	maxIdPIntentLifetime time.Duration
+	tarpit               func(failedAttempts uint64)
 }
 
 func (c *Commands) NewSessionCommands(cmds []SessionCommand, session *SessionWriteModel) *SessionCommands {
@@ -60,6 +61,7 @@ func (c *Commands) NewSessionCommands(cmds []SessionCommand, session *SessionWri
 		getCodeVerifier:      c.phoneCodeVerifierFromConfig,
 		now:                  time.Now,
 		maxIdPIntentLifetime: c.maxIdPIntentLifetime,
+		tarpit:               c.tarpit,
 	}
 }
 
@@ -76,7 +78,7 @@ func CheckUser(id string, resourceOwner string, preferredLanguage *language.Tag)
 // CheckPassword defines a password check to be executed for a session update
 func CheckPassword(password string) SessionCommand {
 	return func(ctx context.Context, cmd *SessionCommands) ([]eventstore.Command, error) {
-		commands, err := checkPassword(ctx, cmd.sessionWriteModel.UserID, password, cmd.eventstore, cmd.hasher, nil)
+		commands, err := checkPassword(ctx, cmd.sessionWriteModel.UserID, password, cmd.eventstore, cmd.hasher, nil, cmd.tarpit)
 		if err != nil {
 			return commands, err
 		}
@@ -135,6 +137,7 @@ func CheckTOTP(code string) SessionCommand {
 			cmd.eventstore.FilterToQueryReducer,
 			cmd.totpAlg,
 			nil,
+			cmd.tarpit,
 		)
 		if err != nil {
 			return commands, err

@@ -143,6 +143,7 @@ func CheckOTPSMS(code string) SessionCommand {
 			cmd.getCodeVerifier,
 			succeededEvent,
 			failedEvent,
+			cmd.tarpit,
 		)
 		if err != nil {
 			return commands, err
@@ -183,6 +184,7 @@ func CheckOTPEmail(code string) SessionCommand {
 			nil, // email currently always uses local code checks
 			succeededEvent,
 			failedEvent,
+			cmd.tarpit,
 		)
 		if err != nil {
 			return commands, err

@@ -1037,6 +1037,9 @@ func TestCheckOTPSMS(t *testing.T) {
 				now: func() time.Time {
 					return testNow
 				},
+				tarpit: func(failedAttempts uint64) {
+
+				},
 			}
 
 			gotCmds, err := cmd(context.Background(), cmds)
@@ -1053,6 +1056,7 @@ func TestCheckOTPEmail(t *testing.T) {
 		userID           string
 		otpCodeChallenge *OTPCode
 		otpAlg           crypto.EncryptionAlgorithm
+		tarpit           Tarpit
 	}
 	type args struct {
 		code string
@@ -1073,6 +1077,7 @@ func TestCheckOTPEmail(t *testing.T) {
 			fields: fields{
 				eventstore: expectEventstore(),
 				userID:     "",
+				tarpit:     expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				code: "code",
@@ -1086,6 +1091,7 @@ func TestCheckOTPEmail(t *testing.T) {
 			fields: fields{
 				eventstore: expectEventstore(),
 				userID:     "userID",
+				tarpit:     expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{},
 			res: res{
@@ -1099,6 +1105,7 @@ func TestCheckOTPEmail(t *testing.T) {
 					expectFilter(),
 				),
 				userID: "userID",
+				tarpit: expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				code: "code",
@@ -1117,6 +1124,7 @@ func TestCheckOTPEmail(t *testing.T) {
 				),
 				userID:           "userID",
 				otpCodeChallenge: nil,
+				tarpit:           expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				code: "code",
@@ -1153,6 +1161,7 @@ func TestCheckOTPEmail(t *testing.T) {
 					CreationDate: testNow.Add(-10 * time.Minute),
 				},
 				otpAlg: crypto.CreateMockEncryptionAlg(gomock.NewController(t)),
+				tarpit: expectTarpit(1),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				code: "code",
@@ -1192,6 +1201,7 @@ func TestCheckOTPEmail(t *testing.T) {
 					CreationDate: testNow.Add(-10 * time.Minute),
 				},
 				otpAlg: crypto.CreateMockEncryptionAlg(gomock.NewController(t)),
+				tarpit: expectTarpit(1),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				code: "code",
@@ -1225,6 +1235,7 @@ func TestCheckOTPEmail(t *testing.T) {
 					CreationDate: testNow,
 				},
 				otpAlg: crypto.CreateMockEncryptionAlg(gomock.NewController(t)),
+				tarpit: expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				code: "code",
@@ -1261,6 +1272,7 @@ func TestCheckOTPEmail(t *testing.T) {
 					CreationDate: testNow,
 				},
 				otpAlg: crypto.CreateMockEncryptionAlg(gomock.NewController(t)),
+				tarpit: expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				code: "code",
@@ -1289,12 +1301,39 @@ func TestCheckOTPEmail(t *testing.T) {
 				now: func() time.Time {
 					return testNow
 				},
+				tarpit: tt.fields.tarpit.tarpit,
 			}
 
 			gotCmds, err := cmd(context.Background(), cmds)
 			assert.ErrorIs(t, err, tt.res.err)
 			assert.Equal(t, tt.res.errorCommands, gotCmds)
 			assert.Equal(t, tt.res.commands, cmds.eventCommands)
+			tt.fields.tarpit.metExpectedCalls(t)
 		})
 	}
 }
+
+func expectTarpit(requiredFailedAttempts uint64) Tarpit {
+	return &mockTarpit{
+		requiredFailedAttempts: requiredFailedAttempts,
+	}
+}
+
+type mockTarpit struct {
+	requiredFailedAttempts uint64
+	failedAttempts         uint64
+}
+
+func (m *mockTarpit) tarpit(failedAttempts uint64) {
+	m.failedAttempts = failedAttempts
+}
+
+func (m *mockTarpit) metExpectedCalls(t *testing.T) bool {
+	t.Helper()
+	return assert.Equalf(t, m.requiredFailedAttempts, m.failedAttempts, "tarpit was called with %d failed attempts, but %d were expected", m.failedAttempts, m.requiredFailedAttempts)
+}
+
+type Tarpit interface {
+	tarpit(failedAttempts uint64)
+	metExpectedCalls(t *testing.T) bool
+}

@@ -1091,6 +1091,7 @@ func TestCheckTOTP(t *testing.T) {
 	type fields struct {
 		sessionWriteModel *SessionWriteModel
 		eventstore        func(*testing.T) *eventstore.Eventstore
+		tarpit            Tarpit
 	}
 
 	tests := []struct {
@@ -1109,6 +1110,7 @@ func TestCheckTOTP(t *testing.T) {
 					aggregate: sessAgg,
 				},
 				eventstore: expectEventstore(),
+				tarpit:     expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			wantErr: zerrors.ThrowInvalidArgument(nil, "COMMAND-8N9ds", "Errors.User.UserIDMissing"),
 		},
@@ -1124,6 +1126,7 @@ func TestCheckTOTP(t *testing.T) {
 				eventstore: expectEventstore(
 					expectFilterError(io.ErrClosedPipe),
 				),
+				tarpit: expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			wantErr: io.ErrClosedPipe,
 		},
@@ -1143,6 +1146,7 @@ func TestCheckTOTP(t *testing.T) {
 						),
 					),
 				),
+				tarpit: expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			wantErr: zerrors.ThrowPreconditionFailed(nil, "COMMAND-3Mif9s", "Errors.User.MFA.OTP.NotReady"),
 		},
@@ -1169,6 +1173,7 @@ func TestCheckTOTP(t *testing.T) {
 						eventFromEventPusher(org.NewLockoutPolicyAddedEvent(ctx, orgAgg, 0, 0, false)),
 					),
 				),
+				tarpit: expectTarpit(1),
 			},
 			wantErrorCommands: []eventstore.Command{
 				user.NewHumanOTPCheckFailedEvent(ctx, userAgg, nil),
@@ -1198,6 +1203,7 @@ func TestCheckTOTP(t *testing.T) {
 						eventFromEventPusher(org.NewLockoutPolicyAddedEvent(ctx, orgAgg, 1, 1, false)),
 					),
 				),
+				tarpit: expectTarpit(1),
 			},
 			wantErrorCommands: []eventstore.Command{
 				user.NewHumanOTPCheckFailedEvent(ctx, userAgg, nil),
@@ -1225,6 +1231,7 @@ func TestCheckTOTP(t *testing.T) {
 					),
 					expectFilter(), // recheck
 				),
+				tarpit: expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			wantEventCommands: []eventstore.Command{
 				user.NewHumanOTPCheckSucceededEvent(ctx, userAgg, nil),
@@ -1253,6 +1260,7 @@ func TestCheckTOTP(t *testing.T) {
 						user.NewUserLockedEvent(ctx, userAgg),
 					),
 				),
+				tarpit: expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			wantErr: zerrors.ThrowPreconditionFailed(nil, "COMMAND-SF3fg", "Errors.User.Locked"),
 		},
@@ -1264,11 +1272,13 @@ func TestCheckTOTP(t *testing.T) {
 				eventstore:        tt.fields.eventstore(t),
 				totpAlg:           cryptoAlg,
 				now:               func() time.Time { return testNow },
+				tarpit:            tt.fields.tarpit.tarpit,
 			}
 			gotCmds, err := CheckTOTP(tt.code)(ctx, cmd)
 			require.ErrorIs(t, err, tt.wantErr)
 			assert.Equal(t, tt.wantErrorCommands, gotCmds)
 			assert.Equal(t, tt.wantEventCommands, cmd.eventCommands)
+			tt.fields.tarpit.metExpectedCalls(t)
 		})
 	}
 }

@@ -170,6 +170,7 @@ func (c *Commands) HumanCheckMFATOTP(ctx context.Context, userID, code, resource
 		c.eventstore.FilterToQueryReducer,
 		c.multifactors.OTP.CryptoMFA,
 		authRequestDomainToAuthRequestInfo(authRequest),
+		c.tarpit,
 	)
 
 	_, pushErr := c.eventstore.Push(ctx, commands...)
@@ -183,6 +184,7 @@ func checkTOTP(
 	queryReducer func(ctx context.Context, r eventstore.QueryReducer) error,
 	alg crypto.EncryptionAlgorithm,
 	optionalAuthRequestInfo *user.AuthRequestInfo,
+	tarpit func(failedAttempts uint64),
 ) ([]eventstore.Command, error) {
 	if userID == "" {
 		return nil, zerrors.ThrowInvalidArgument(nil, "COMMAND-8N9ds", "Errors.User.UserIDMissing")
@@ -222,6 +224,7 @@ func checkTOTP(
 	if lockoutPolicy.MaxOTPAttempts > 0 && existingOTP.CheckFailedCount+1 >= lockoutPolicy.MaxOTPAttempts {
 		commands = append(commands, user.NewUserLockedEvent(ctx, userAgg))
 	}
+	tarpit(existingOTP.CheckFailedCount + 1)
 	return commands, verifyErr
 }
 
@@ -374,6 +377,7 @@ func (c *Commands) HumanCheckOTPSMS(ctx context.Context, userID, code, resourceO
 		c.phoneCodeVerifier,
 		succeededEvent,
 		failedEvent,
+		c.tarpit,
 	)
 	if len(commands) > 0 {
 		_, pushErr := c.eventstore.Push(ctx, commands...)
@@ -508,6 +512,7 @@ func (c *Commands) HumanCheckOTPEmail(ctx context.Context, userID, code, resourc
 		nil, // email currently always uses local code checks
 		succeededEvent,
 		failedEvent,
+		c.tarpit,
 	)
 	if len(commands) > 0 {
 		_, pushErr := c.eventstore.Push(ctx, commands...)
@@ -576,6 +581,7 @@ func checkOTP(
 	alg crypto.EncryptionAlgorithm,
 	getCodeVerifier func(ctx context.Context, id string) (senders.CodeGenerator, error),
 	checkSucceededEvent, checkFailedEvent func(ctx context.Context, aggregate *eventstore.Aggregate, info *user.AuthRequestInfo) eventstore.Command,
+	tarpit func(failedAttempts uint64),
 ) ([]eventstore.Command, error) {
 	if userID == "" {
 		return nil, zerrors.ThrowInvalidArgument(nil, "COMMAND-S453v", "Errors.User.UserIDMissing")
@@ -627,6 +633,7 @@ func checkOTP(
 	if lockoutPolicy != nil && lockoutPolicy.MaxOTPAttempts > 0 && existingOTP.CheckFailedCount()+1 >= lockoutPolicy.MaxOTPAttempts {
 		commands = append(commands, user.NewUserLockedEvent(ctx, userAgg))
 	}
+	tarpit(existingOTP.CheckFailedCount() + 1)
 	return commands, verifyErr
 }
 

@@ -1940,6 +1940,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_HumanCheckOTPSMS(t *testing.T) {
 		eventstore        func(*testing.T) *eventstore.Eventstore
 		userEncryption    crypto.EncryptionAlgorithm
 		phoneCodeVerifier func(ctx context.Context, id string) (senders.CodeGenerator, error)
+		tarpit            Tarpit
 	}
 	type (
 		args struct {
@@ -1964,6 +1965,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_HumanCheckOTPSMS(t *testing.T) {
 			name: "userid missing, invalid argument error",
 			fields: fields{
 				eventstore: expectEventstore(),
+				tarpit:     expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:           ctx,
@@ -1979,6 +1981,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_HumanCheckOTPSMS(t *testing.T) {
 			name: "code missing, invalid argument error",
 			fields: fields{
 				eventstore: expectEventstore(),
+				tarpit:     expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:           ctx,
@@ -1996,6 +1999,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_HumanCheckOTPSMS(t *testing.T) {
 				eventstore: expectEventstore(
 					expectFilter(),
 				),
+				tarpit: expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:           ctx,
@@ -2019,6 +2023,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_HumanCheckOTPSMS(t *testing.T) {
 						),
 					),
 				),
+				tarpit: expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:           ctx,
@@ -2088,6 +2093,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_HumanCheckOTPSMS(t *testing.T) {
 					),
 				),
 				userEncryption: crypto.CreateMockEncryptionAlg(gomock.NewController(t)),
+				tarpit:         expectTarpit(1),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:           ctx,
@@ -2169,6 +2175,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_HumanCheckOTPSMS(t *testing.T) {
 					),
 				),
 				userEncryption: crypto.CreateMockEncryptionAlg(gomock.NewController(t)),
+				tarpit:         expectTarpit(1),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:           ctx,
@@ -2239,6 +2246,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_HumanCheckOTPSMS(t *testing.T) {
 					),
 				),
 				userEncryption: crypto.CreateMockEncryptionAlg(gomock.NewController(t)),
+				tarpit:         expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:           ctx,
@@ -2301,6 +2309,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_HumanCheckOTPSMS(t *testing.T) {
 					),
 				),
 				userEncryption: crypto.CreateMockEncryptionAlg(gomock.NewController(t)),
+				tarpit:         expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:           ctx,
@@ -2380,6 +2389,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_HumanCheckOTPSMS(t *testing.T) {
 					sender.EXPECT().VerifyCode("verificationID", "code").Return(nil)
 					return sender, nil
 				},
+				tarpit: expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:           ctx,
@@ -2409,9 +2419,11 @@ func TestCommandSide_HumanCheckOTPSMS(t *testing.T) {
 				eventstore:        tt.fields.eventstore(t),
 				userEncryption:    tt.fields.userEncryption,
 				phoneCodeVerifier: tt.fields.phoneCodeVerifier,
+				tarpit:            tt.fields.tarpit.tarpit,
 			}
 			err := r.HumanCheckOTPSMS(tt.args.ctx, tt.args.userID, tt.args.code, tt.args.resourceOwner, tt.args.authRequest)
 			assert.ErrorIs(t, err, tt.res.err)
+			tt.fields.tarpit.metExpectedCalls(t)
 		})
 	}
 }
@@ -3115,6 +3127,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_HumanCheckOTPEmail(t *testing.T) {
 	type fields struct {
 		eventstore     func(*testing.T) *eventstore.Eventstore
 		userEncryption crypto.EncryptionAlgorithm
+		tarpit         Tarpit
 	}
 	type (
 		args struct {
@@ -3139,6 +3152,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_HumanCheckOTPEmail(t *testing.T) {
 			name: "userid missing, invalid argument error",
 			fields: fields{
 				eventstore: expectEventstore(),
+				tarpit:     expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:           ctx,
@@ -3154,6 +3168,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_HumanCheckOTPEmail(t *testing.T) {
 			name: "code missing, invalid argument error",
 			fields: fields{
 				eventstore: expectEventstore(),
+				tarpit:     expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:           ctx,
@@ -3171,6 +3186,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_HumanCheckOTPEmail(t *testing.T) {
 				eventstore: expectEventstore(
 					expectFilter(),
 				),
+				tarpit: expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:           ctx,
@@ -3194,6 +3210,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_HumanCheckOTPEmail(t *testing.T) {
 						),
 					),
 				),
+				tarpit: expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:           ctx,
@@ -3262,6 +3279,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_HumanCheckOTPEmail(t *testing.T) {
 					),
 				),
 				userEncryption: crypto.CreateMockEncryptionAlg(gomock.NewController(t)),
+				tarpit:         expectTarpit(1),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:           ctx,
@@ -3342,6 +3360,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_HumanCheckOTPEmail(t *testing.T) {
 					),
 				),
 				userEncryption: crypto.CreateMockEncryptionAlg(gomock.NewController(t)),
+				tarpit:         expectTarpit(1),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:           ctx,
@@ -3411,6 +3430,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_HumanCheckOTPEmail(t *testing.T) {
 					),
 				),
 				userEncryption: crypto.CreateMockEncryptionAlg(gomock.NewController(t)),
+				tarpit:         expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:           ctx,
@@ -3472,6 +3492,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_HumanCheckOTPEmail(t *testing.T) {
 					),
 				),
 				userEncryption: crypto.CreateMockEncryptionAlg(gomock.NewController(t)),
+				tarpit:         expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:           ctx,
@@ -3498,9 +3519,11 @@ func TestCommandSide_HumanCheckOTPEmail(t *testing.T) {
 			r := &Commands{
 				eventstore:     tt.fields.eventstore(t),
 				userEncryption: tt.fields.userEncryption,
+				tarpit:         tt.fields.tarpit.tarpit,
 			}
 			err := r.HumanCheckOTPEmail(tt.args.ctx, tt.args.userID, tt.args.code, tt.args.resourceOwner, tt.args.authRequest)
 			assert.ErrorIs(t, err, tt.res.err)
+			tt.fields.tarpit.metExpectedCalls(t)
 		})
 	}
 }

@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ func (c *Commands) ChangePassword(ctx context.Context, orgID, userID, oldPasswor
 		"",
 		userAgentID,
 		changeRequired,
-		c.checkCurrentPassword(newPassword, "", oldPassword, wm.EncodedHash),
+		c.checkCurrentPassword(newPassword, "", oldPassword, wm, c.tarpit),
 	)
 }
 
@@ -140,23 +140,49 @@ func (c *Commands) setPasswordWithVerifyCode(
 	}
 }
 
+type HumanPasswordCheckWriteModel interface {
+	GetUserState() domain.UserState
+	GetPasswordCheckFailedCount() uint64
+	GetEncodedHash() string
+	GetResourceOwner() string
+	GetWriteModel() *eventstore.WriteModel
+	eventstore.QueryReducer
+}
+
 // checkCurrentPassword returns a password check as [setPasswordVerification] implementation
 func (c *Commands) checkCurrentPassword(
-	newPassword, newEncodedPassword, currentPassword, currentEncodePassword string,
+	newPassword, newEncodedPassword, currentPassword string,
+	wm HumanPasswordCheckWriteModel,
+	tarpit func(failedAttempts uint64),
 ) setPasswordVerification {
-	// in case the new password is already encoded, we only need to verify the current
-	if newEncodedPassword != "" {
-		return func(ctx context.Context) (_ string, err error) {
-			_, spanPasswap := tracing.NewNamedSpan(ctx, "passwap.Verify")
-			_, err = c.userPasswordHasher.Verify(currentEncodePassword, currentPassword)
-			spanPasswap.EndWithError(err)
-			return "", convertPasswapErr(err)
+	return func(ctx context.Context) (_ string, err error) {
+		verify := func(hash, password string) (string, error) {
+			// in case the new password is already encoded, we only need to verify the current
+			if newEncodedPassword != "" {
+				_, spanPasswap := tracing.NewNamedSpan(ctx, "passwap.Verify")
+				_, err = c.userPasswordHasher.Verify(hash, password)
+				spanPasswap.EndWithError(err)
+				return "", convertPasswapErr(err)
+			}
+			// otherwise, let's directly verify and return the new generated hash, so we can reuse it in the event
+			return c.verifyAndUpdatePassword(ctx, hash, password, newPassword)
 		}
-	}
-
-	// otherwise let's directly verify and return the new generate hash, so we can reuse it in the event
-	return func(ctx context.Context) (string, error) {
-		return c.verifyAndUpdatePassword(ctx, currentEncodePassword, currentPassword, newPassword)
+		commands, updated, err := verifyPasswordWithLockoutPolicy(ctx, wm, currentPassword, c.eventstore, verify, nil, tarpit)
+		// The verification was successful, and we might have an updated hash.
+		if err == nil {
+			return updated, nil
+		}
+		// If we get here, the verification failed, either due to a precondition (e.g. user not found or locked)
+		// or due to a wrong password.
+		// If the former, we just return the error.
+		if len(commands) == 0 {
+			return "", err
+		}
+		// If the latter, there's at least a failed password check event to push or additionally a lock event.
+		// We push these events, but return the original error (which might contain details about the failed attempts).
+		_, pushErr := c.eventstore.Push(ctx, commands...)
+		logging.OnError(pushErr).Error("error create password check failed event")
+		return "", err
 	}
 }
 
@@ -344,7 +370,11 @@ func (c *Commands) HumanCheckPassword(ctx context.Context, orgID, userID, passwo
 	if !loginPolicy.AllowUsernamePassword {
 		return zerrors.ThrowPreconditionFailed(err, "COMMAND-Dft32", "Errors.Org.LoginPolicy.UsernamePasswordNotAllowed")
 	}
-	commands, err := checkPassword(ctx, userID, password, c.eventstore, c.userPasswordHasher, authRequestDomainToAuthRequestInfo(authRequest))
+	var tarpit func(failedAttempts uint64)
+	if !loginPolicy.IgnoreUnknownUsernames {
+		tarpit = c.tarpit
+	}
+	commands, err := checkPassword(ctx, userID, password, c.eventstore, c.userPasswordHasher, authRequestDomainToAuthRequestInfo(authRequest), tarpit)
 	if len(commands) == 0 {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -353,7 +383,7 @@ func (c *Commands) HumanCheckPassword(ctx context.Context, orgID, userID, passwo
 	return err
 }
 
-func checkPassword(ctx context.Context, userID, password string, es *eventstore.Eventstore, hasher *crypto.Hasher, optionalAuthRequestInfo *user.AuthRequestInfo) ([]eventstore.Command, error) {
+func checkPassword(ctx context.Context, userID, password string, es *eventstore.Eventstore, hasher *crypto.Hasher, optionalAuthRequestInfo *user.AuthRequestInfo, tarpit func(failedAttempts uint64)) ([]eventstore.Command, error) {
 	if userID == "" {
 		return nil, zerrors.ThrowPreconditionFailed(nil, "COMMAND-Sfw3f", "Errors.User.UserIDMissing")
 	}
@@ -362,54 +392,73 @@ func checkPassword(ctx context.Context, userID, password string, es *eventstore.
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
-	if !wm.UserState.Exists() {
-		return nil, zerrors.ThrowPreconditionFailed(nil, "COMMAND-3n77z", "Errors.User.NotFound")
-	}
-	if wm.UserState == domain.UserStateLocked {
+	commands, _, err := verifyPasswordWithLockoutPolicy(ctx, wm, password, es, hasher.Verify, optionalAuthRequestInfo, tarpit)
+	return commands, err
+}
+
+func verifyPasswordWithLockoutPolicy(
+	ctx context.Context,
+	wm HumanPasswordCheckWriteModel,
+	password string,
+	es *eventstore.Eventstore,
+	verify func(hash string, password string) (newHash string, err error),
+	optionalAuthRequestInfo *user.AuthRequestInfo,
+	tarpit func(failedAttempts uint64),
+) ([]eventstore.Command, string, error) {
+	if !wm.GetUserState().Exists() {
+		return nil, "", zerrors.ThrowPreconditionFailed(nil, "COMMAND-3n77z", "Errors.User.NotFound")
+	}
+	if wm.GetUserState() == domain.UserStateLocked {
 		wrongPasswordError := &commandErrors.WrongPasswordError{
-			FailedAttempts: int32(wm.PasswordCheckFailedCount),
+			FailedAttempts: int32(wm.GetPasswordCheckFailedCount()),
 		}
-		return nil, zerrors.ThrowPreconditionFailed(wrongPasswordError, "COMMAND-JLK35", "Errors.User.Locked")
+		return nil, "", zerrors.ThrowPreconditionFailed(wrongPasswordError, "COMMAND-JLK35", "Errors.User.Locked")
 	}
-	if wm.EncodedHash == "" {
-		return nil, zerrors.ThrowPreconditionFailed(nil, "COMMAND-3nJ4t", "Errors.User.Password.NotSet")
+	if wm.GetEncodedHash() == "" {
+		return nil, "", zerrors.ThrowPreconditionFailed(nil, "COMMAND-3nJ4t", "Errors.User.Password.NotSet")
 	}
 
-	userAgg := UserAggregateFromWriteModel(&wm.WriteModel)
+	userAgg := UserAggregateFromWriteModel(wm.GetWriteModel())
 	ctx, spanPasswordComparison := tracing.NewNamedSpan(ctx, "passwap.Verify")
-	updated, err := hasher.Verify(wm.EncodedHash, password)
+	updated, err := verify(wm.GetEncodedHash(), password)
 	spanPasswordComparison.EndWithError(err)
-	err = convertLoginPasswapErr(wm.PasswordCheckFailedCount+1, err)
+	err = convertLoginPasswapErr(wm.GetPasswordCheckFailedCount()+1, err)
 	commands := make([]eventstore.Command, 0, 2)
 
 	// recheck for additional events (failed password checks or locks)
 	recheckErr := es.FilterToQueryReducer(ctx, wm)
 	if recheckErr != nil {
-		return nil, recheckErr
+		return nil, "", recheckErr
 	}
-	if wm.UserState == domain.UserStateLocked {
+	if wm.GetUserState() == domain.UserStateLocked {
 		wrongPasswordError := &commandErrors.WrongPasswordError{
-			FailedAttempts: int32(wm.PasswordCheckFailedCount),
+			FailedAttempts: int32(wm.GetPasswordCheckFailedCount()),
 		}
-		return nil, zerrors.ThrowPreconditionFailed(wrongPasswordError, "COMMAND-SFA3t", "Errors.User.Locked")
+		return nil, "", zerrors.ThrowPreconditionFailed(wrongPasswordError, "COMMAND-SFA3t", "Errors.User.Locked")
 	}
 
 	if err == nil {
 		commands = append(commands, user.NewHumanPasswordCheckSucceededEvent(ctx, userAgg, optionalAuthRequestInfo))
 		if updated != "" {
 			commands = append(commands, user.NewHumanPasswordHashUpdatedEvent(ctx, userAgg, updated))
 		}
-		return commands, nil
+		return commands, updated, nil
 	}
 
 	commands = append(commands, user.NewHumanPasswordCheckFailedEvent(ctx, userAgg, optionalAuthRequestInfo))
 
-	lockoutPolicy, lockoutErr := getLockoutPolicy(ctx, wm.ResourceOwner, es.FilterToQueryReducer)
+	lockoutPolicy, lockoutErr := getLockoutPolicy(ctx, wm.GetResourceOwner(), es.FilterToQueryReducer)
 	logging.OnError(lockoutErr).Error("unable to get lockout policy")
-	if lockoutPolicy != nil && lockoutPolicy.MaxPasswordAttempts > 0 && wm.PasswordCheckFailedCount+1 >= lockoutPolicy.MaxPasswordAttempts {
+	if lockoutPolicy != nil && lockoutPolicy.MaxPasswordAttempts > 0 && wm.GetPasswordCheckFailedCount()+1 >= lockoutPolicy.MaxPasswordAttempts {
 		commands = append(commands, user.NewUserLockedEvent(ctx, userAgg))
 	}
-	return commands, err
+	// in case the login policy ignores unknown usernames,
+	// we do not slow down the response time with a tarpit
+	// since this would leak the user existence
+	if tarpit != nil {
+		tarpit(wm.GetPasswordCheckFailedCount() + 1)
+	}
+	return commands, "", err
 }
 
 func (c *Commands) passwordWriteModel(ctx context.Context, userID, resourceOwner string) (writeModel *HumanPasswordWriteModel, err error) {

@@ -25,6 +25,26 @@ type HumanPasswordWriteModel struct {
 	UserState domain.UserState
 }
 
+func (wm *HumanPasswordWriteModel) GetUserState() domain.UserState {
+	return wm.UserState
+}
+
+func (wm *HumanPasswordWriteModel) GetPasswordCheckFailedCount() uint64 {
+	return wm.PasswordCheckFailedCount
+}
+
+func (wm *HumanPasswordWriteModel) GetEncodedHash() string {
+	return wm.EncodedHash
+}
+
+func (wm *HumanPasswordWriteModel) GetResourceOwner() string {
+	return wm.ResourceOwner
+}
+
+func (wm *HumanPasswordWriteModel) GetWriteModel() *eventstore.WriteModel {
+	return &wm.WriteModel
+}
+
 func NewHumanPasswordWriteModel(userID, resourceOwner string) *HumanPasswordWriteModel {
 	return &HumanPasswordWriteModel{
 		WriteModel: eventstore.WriteModel{

@@ -760,6 +760,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_SetPasswordWithVerifyCode(t *testing.T) {
 func TestCommandSide_ChangePassword(t *testing.T) {
 	type fields struct {
 		userPasswordHasher *crypto.Hasher
+		tarpit             Tarpit
 	}
 	type args struct {
 		ctx            context.Context
@@ -782,8 +783,10 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangePassword(t *testing.T) {
 		res    res
 	}{
 		{
-			name:   "userid missing, invalid argument error",
-			fields: fields{},
+			name: "userid missing, invalid argument error",
+			fields: fields{
+				tarpit: expectTarpit(0),
+			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:           context.Background(),
 				oldPassword:   "password",
@@ -796,8 +799,10 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangePassword(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 		},
 		{
-			name:   "old password missing, invalid argument error",
-			fields: fields{},
+			name: "old password missing, invalid argument error",
+			fields: fields{
+				tarpit: expectTarpit(0),
+			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:           context.Background(),
 				userID:        "user1",
@@ -810,8 +815,10 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangePassword(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 		},
 		{
-			name:   "new password missing, invalid argument error",
-			fields: fields{},
+			name: "new password missing, invalid argument error",
+			fields: fields{
+				tarpit: expectTarpit(0),
+			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:           context.Background(),
 				userID:        "user1",
@@ -824,8 +831,10 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangePassword(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 		},
 		{
-			name:   "user not existing, precondition error",
-			fields: fields{},
+			name: "user not existing, precondition error",
+			fields: fields{
+				tarpit: expectTarpit(0),
+			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:           context.Background(),
 				userID:        "user1",
@@ -844,6 +853,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangePassword(t *testing.T) {
 			name: "existing password empty, precondition error",
 			fields: fields{
 				userPasswordHasher: mockPasswordHasher("x"),
+				tarpit:             expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:           context.Background(),
@@ -878,6 +888,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangePassword(t *testing.T) {
 			name: "password not matching complexity policy, invalid argument error",
 			fields: fields{
 				userPasswordHasher: mockPasswordHasher("x"),
+				tarpit:             expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:           context.Background(),
@@ -914,6 +925,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangePassword(t *testing.T) {
 							false,
 							"")),
 				),
+				expectFilter(), // recheck of user locking relevant events
 				expectFilter(
 					eventFromEventPusher(
 						org.NewPasswordComplexityPolicyAddedEvent(
@@ -936,6 +948,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangePassword(t *testing.T) {
 			name: "password not matching, invalid argument error",
 			fields: fields{
 				userPasswordHasher: mockPasswordHasher("x"),
+				tarpit:             expectTarpit(1),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:           context.Background(),
@@ -972,6 +985,89 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangePassword(t *testing.T) {
 							false,
 							"")),
 				),
+				expectFilter(), // recheck of user locking relevant events
+				expectFilter(
+					eventFromEventPusher(
+						org.NewLockoutPolicyAddedEvent(context.Background(),
+							&org.NewAggregate("org1").Aggregate,
+							0,
+							0,
+							false,
+						),
+					),
+				),
+				expectPush(
+					user.NewHumanPasswordCheckFailedEvent(context.Background(),
+						&user.NewAggregate("user1", "org1").Aggregate,
+						nil,
+					),
+				),
+			},
+			res: res{
+				err: zerrors.IsErrorInvalidArgument,
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "password not matching, lockout policy active, invalid argument error",
+			fields: fields{
+				userPasswordHasher: mockPasswordHasher("x"),
+				tarpit:             expectTarpit(1),
+			},
+			args: args{
+				ctx:           context.Background(),
+				userID:        "user1",
+				oldPassword:   "password-old",
+				newPassword:   "password1",
+				resourceOwner: "org1",
+			},
+			expect: []expect{
+				expectFilter(
+					eventFromEventPusher(
+						user.NewHumanAddedEvent(context.Background(),
+							&user.NewAggregate("user1", "org1").Aggregate,
+							"username",
+							"firstname",
+							"lastname",
+							"nickname",
+							"displayname",
+							language.German,
+							domain.GenderUnspecified,
+							"email@test.ch",
+							true,
+						),
+					),
+					eventFromEventPusher(
+						user.NewHumanEmailVerifiedEvent(context.Background(),
+							&user.NewAggregate("user1", "org1").Aggregate,
+						),
+					),
+					eventFromEventPusher(
+						user.NewHumanPasswordChangedEvent(context.Background(),
+							&user.NewAggregate("user1", "org1").Aggregate,
+							"$plain$x$password",
+							false,
+							"")),
+				),
+				expectFilter(), // recheck of user locking relevant events
+				expectFilter(
+					eventFromEventPusher(
+						org.NewLockoutPolicyAddedEvent(context.Background(),
+							&org.NewAggregate("org1").Aggregate,
+							1,
+							0,
+							false,
+						),
+					),
+				),
+				expectPush(
+					user.NewHumanPasswordCheckFailedEvent(context.Background(),
+						&user.NewAggregate("user1", "org1").Aggregate,
+						nil,
+					),
+					user.NewUserLockedEvent(context.Background(),
+						&user.NewAggregate("user1", "org1").Aggregate,
+					),
+				),
 			},
 			res: res{
 				err: zerrors.IsErrorInvalidArgument,
@@ -981,6 +1077,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangePassword(t *testing.T) {
 			name: "change password, ok",
 			fields: fields{
 				userPasswordHasher: mockPasswordHasher("x"),
+				tarpit:             expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:           context.Background(),
@@ -1017,6 +1114,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangePassword(t *testing.T) {
 							false,
 							"")),
 				),
+				expectFilter(), // recheck of user locking relevant events
 				expectFilter(
 					eventFromEventPusher(
 						org.NewPasswordComplexityPolicyAddedEvent(context.Background(),
@@ -1048,6 +1146,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangePassword(t *testing.T) {
 			name: "change password with userAgentID, ok",
 			fields: fields{
 				userPasswordHasher: mockPasswordHasher("x"),
+				tarpit:             expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:           context.Background(),
@@ -1085,6 +1184,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangePassword(t *testing.T) {
 							false,
 							"")),
 				),
+				expectFilter(), // recheck of user locking relevant events
 				expectFilter(
 					eventFromEventPusher(
 						org.NewPasswordComplexityPolicyAddedEvent(context.Background(),
@@ -1116,6 +1216,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangePassword(t *testing.T) {
 			name: "change password with changeRequired, ok",
 			fields: fields{
 				userPasswordHasher: mockPasswordHasher("x"),
+				tarpit:             expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:            context.Background(),
@@ -1154,6 +1255,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangePassword(t *testing.T) {
 							false,
 							"")),
 				),
+				expectFilter(), // recheck of user locking relevant events
 				expectFilter(
 					eventFromEventPusher(
 						org.NewPasswordComplexityPolicyAddedEvent(context.Background(),
@@ -1185,8 +1287,9 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangePassword(t *testing.T) {
 	for _, tt := range tests {
 		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
 			r := &Commands{
-				eventstore:         eventstoreExpect(t, tt.expect...),
+				eventstore:         expectEventstore(tt.expect...)(t),
 				userPasswordHasher: tt.fields.userPasswordHasher,
+				tarpit:             tt.fields.tarpit.tarpit,
 			}
 			got, err := r.ChangePassword(tt.args.ctx, tt.args.resourceOwner, tt.args.userID, tt.args.oldPassword, tt.args.newPassword, tt.args.userAgentID, tt.args.changeRequired)
 			if tt.res.err == nil {
@@ -1198,6 +1301,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangePassword(t *testing.T) {
 			if tt.res.err == nil {
 				assertObjectDetails(t, tt.res.want, got)
 			}
+			tt.fields.tarpit.metExpectedCalls(t)
 		})
 	}
 }
@@ -1597,6 +1701,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_CheckPassword(t *testing.T) {
 	type fields struct {
 		eventstore         func(*testing.T) *eventstore.Eventstore
 		userPasswordHasher *crypto.Hasher
+		tarpit             Tarpit
 	}
 	type args struct {
 		ctx           context.Context
@@ -1618,6 +1723,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_CheckPassword(t *testing.T) {
 			name: "userid missing, invalid argument error",
 			fields: fields{
 				eventstore: expectEventstore(),
+				tarpit:     expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:           context.Background(),
@@ -1632,6 +1738,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_CheckPassword(t *testing.T) {
 			name: "password missing, invalid argument error",
 			fields: fields{
 				eventstore: expectEventstore(),
+				tarpit:     expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:           context.Background(),
@@ -1649,6 +1756,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_CheckPassword(t *testing.T) {
 					expectFilter(),
 					expectFilter(),
 				),
+				tarpit: expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:           context.Background(),
@@ -1689,6 +1797,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_CheckPassword(t *testing.T) {
 						),
 					),
 				),
+				tarpit: expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:           context.Background(),
@@ -1730,6 +1839,8 @@ func TestCommandSide_CheckPassword(t *testing.T) {
 					),
 					expectFilter(),
 				),
+				userPasswordHasher: mockPasswordHasher("x"),
+				tarpit:             expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:           context.Background(),
@@ -1791,6 +1902,8 @@ func TestCommandSide_CheckPassword(t *testing.T) {
 						),
 					),
 				),
+				userPasswordHasher: mockPasswordHasher("x"),
+				tarpit:             expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:           context.Background(),
@@ -1848,6 +1961,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_CheckPassword(t *testing.T) {
 					),
 				),
 				userPasswordHasher: mockPasswordHasher("x"),
+				tarpit:             expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:           context.Background(),
@@ -1933,6 +2047,97 @@ func TestCommandSide_CheckPassword(t *testing.T) {
 					),
 				),
 				userPasswordHasher: mockPasswordHasher("x"),
+				tarpit:             expectTarpit(1),
+			},
+			args: args{
+				ctx:           context.Background(),
+				userID:        "user1",
+				password:      "password1",
+				resourceOwner: "org1",
+				authReq: &domain.AuthRequest{
+					ID:      "request1",
+					AgentID: "agent1",
+				},
+			},
+			res: res{
+				err: zerrors.IsErrorInvalidArgument,
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "password not matching, ignore unknow usernames (no tarpit), precondition error",
+			fields: fields{
+				eventstore: expectEventstore(
+					expectFilter(
+						eventFromEventPusher(
+							org.NewLoginPolicyAddedEvent(context.Background(),
+								&org.NewAggregate("org1").Aggregate,
+								true,
+								false,
+								false,
+								false,
+								false,
+								false,
+								true,
+								false,
+								false,
+								false,
+								domain.PasswordlessTypeNotAllowed,
+								"",
+								time.Hour*1,
+								time.Hour*2,
+								time.Hour*3,
+								time.Hour*4,
+								time.Hour*5,
+							),
+						),
+					),
+					expectFilter(
+						eventFromEventPusher(
+							user.NewHumanAddedEvent(context.Background(),
+								&user.NewAggregate("user1", "org1").Aggregate,
+								"username",
+								"firstname",
+								"lastname",
+								"nickname",
+								"displayname",
+								language.German,
+								domain.GenderUnspecified,
+								"email@test.ch",
+								true,
+							),
+						),
+						eventFromEventPusher(
+							user.NewHumanEmailVerifiedEvent(context.Background(),
+								&user.NewAggregate("user1", "org1").Aggregate,
+							),
+						),
+						eventFromEventPusher(
+							user.NewHumanPasswordChangedEvent(context.Background(),
+								&user.NewAggregate("user1", "org1").Aggregate,
+								"$plain$x$password",
+								false,
+								"")),
+					),
+					expectFilter(),
+					expectFilter(
+						eventFromEventPusher(
+							org.NewLockoutPolicyAddedEvent(context.Background(),
+								&org.NewAggregate("org1").Aggregate,
+								0, 0, false,
+							)),
+					),
+					expectPush(
+						user.NewHumanPasswordCheckFailedEvent(context.Background(),
+							&user.NewAggregate("user1", "org1").Aggregate,
+							&user.AuthRequestInfo{
+								ID:          "request1",
+								UserAgentID: "agent1",
+							},
+						),
+					),
+				),
+				userPasswordHasher: mockPasswordHasher("x"),
+				tarpit:             expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:           context.Background(),
@@ -2026,6 +2231,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_CheckPassword(t *testing.T) {
 					),
 				),
 				userPasswordHasher: mockPasswordHasher("x"),
+				tarpit:             expectTarpit(1),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:           context.Background(),
@@ -2108,6 +2314,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_CheckPassword(t *testing.T) {
 					),
 				),
 				userPasswordHasher: mockPasswordHasher("x"),
+				tarpit:             expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:           context.Background(),
@@ -2193,6 +2400,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_CheckPassword(t *testing.T) {
 					),
 				),
 				userPasswordHasher: mockPasswordHasher("x"),
+				tarpit:             expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:           context.Background(),
@@ -2270,6 +2478,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_CheckPassword(t *testing.T) {
 					),
 				),
 				userPasswordHasher: mockPasswordHasher("x"),
+				tarpit:             expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:           context.Background(),
@@ -2366,6 +2575,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_CheckPassword(t *testing.T) {
 					),
 				),
 				userPasswordHasher: mockPasswordHasher("x"),
+				tarpit:             expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:           context.Background(),
@@ -2385,6 +2595,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_CheckPassword(t *testing.T) {
 			r := &Commands{
 				eventstore:         tt.fields.eventstore(t),
 				userPasswordHasher: tt.fields.userPasswordHasher,
+				tarpit:             tt.fields.tarpit.tarpit,
 			}
 			err := r.HumanCheckPassword(tt.args.ctx, tt.args.resourceOwner, tt.args.userID, tt.args.password, tt.args.authReq)
 			if tt.res.err == nil {
@@ -2393,6 +2604,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_CheckPassword(t *testing.T) {
 			if tt.res.err != nil && !tt.res.err(err) {
 				t.Errorf("got wrong err: %v ", err)
 			}
+			tt.fields.tarpit.metExpectedCalls(t)
 		})
 	}
 }

@@ -493,7 +493,7 @@ func (c *Commands) changeUserPassword(ctx context.Context, cmds []eventstore.Com
 	}
 	// ...or old password
 	if password.OldPassword != "" {
-		verification = c.checkCurrentPassword(password.Password, password.EncodedPasswordHash, password.OldPassword, wm.PasswordEncodedHash)
+		verification = c.checkCurrentPassword(password.Password, password.EncodedPasswordHash, password.OldPassword, wm, c.tarpit)
 	}
 	cmd, err := c.setPasswordCommand(
 		ctx,

@@ -2207,6 +2207,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangeUserHuman(t *testing.T) {
 		checkPermission             domain.PermissionCheck
 		defaultSecretGenerators     *SecretGenerators
 		defaultEmailCodeURLTemplate func(ctx context.Context) string
+		tarpit                      Tarpit
 	}
 	type args struct {
 		ctx     context.Context
@@ -2243,6 +2244,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangeUserHuman(t *testing.T) {
 					expectFilter(),
 				),
 				checkPermission: newMockPermissionCheckAllowed(),
+				tarpit:          expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:   context.Background(),
@@ -2268,6 +2270,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangeUserHuman(t *testing.T) {
 					),
 				),
 				checkPermission: newMockPermissionCheckNotAllowed(),
+				tarpit:          expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:   context.Background(),
@@ -2289,6 +2292,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangeUserHuman(t *testing.T) {
 					expectFilter(),
 				),
 				checkPermission: newMockPermissionCheckAllowed(),
+				tarpit:          expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:   context.Background(),
@@ -2334,6 +2338,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangeUserHuman(t *testing.T) {
 					),
 				),
 				checkPermission: newMockPermissionCheckAllowed(),
+				tarpit:          expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:   context.Background(),
@@ -2381,6 +2386,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangeUserHuman(t *testing.T) {
 					),
 				),
 				checkPermission: newMockPermissionCheckAllowed(),
+				tarpit:          expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:   context.Background(),
@@ -2408,6 +2414,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangeUserHuman(t *testing.T) {
 					),
 				),
 				checkPermission: newMockPermissionCheckAllowed(),
+				tarpit:          expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:   context.Background(),
@@ -2435,6 +2442,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangeUserHuman(t *testing.T) {
 					),
 				),
 				checkPermission: newMockPermissionCheckNotAllowed(),
+				tarpit:          expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:   context.Background(),
@@ -2483,6 +2491,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangeUserHuman(t *testing.T) {
 					),
 				),
 				checkPermission: newMockPermissionCheckAllowed(),
+				tarpit:          expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:   context.Background(),
@@ -2517,6 +2526,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangeUserHuman(t *testing.T) {
 					),
 				),
 				checkPermission: newMockPermissionCheckAllowed(),
+				tarpit:          expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:   context.Background(),
@@ -2572,6 +2582,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangeUserHuman(t *testing.T) {
 				checkPermission:             newMockPermissionCheckAllowed(),
 				newCode:                     mockEncryptedCode("emailCode", time.Hour),
 				defaultEmailCodeURLTemplate: func(ctx context.Context) string { return "http://example.com/{{.user}}/email/{{.code}}" },
+				tarpit:                      expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:   context.Background(),
@@ -2602,6 +2613,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangeUserHuman(t *testing.T) {
 					),
 				),
 				checkPermission: newMockPermissionCheckAllowed(),
+				tarpit:          expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:   context.Background(),
@@ -2631,6 +2643,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangeUserHuman(t *testing.T) {
 					),
 				),
 				checkPermission: newMockPermissionCheckNotAllowed(),
+				tarpit:          expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:   context.Background(),
@@ -2668,6 +2681,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangeUserHuman(t *testing.T) {
 					),
 				),
 				checkPermission: newMockPermissionCheckAllowed(),
+				tarpit:          expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:   context.Background(),
@@ -2703,6 +2717,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangeUserHuman(t *testing.T) {
 					),
 				),
 				checkPermission: newMockPermissionCheckAllowed(),
+				tarpit:          expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:   context.Background(),
@@ -2753,6 +2768,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangeUserHuman(t *testing.T) {
 				checkPermission:             newMockPermissionCheckAllowed(),
 				newCode:                     mockEncryptedCode("emailCode", time.Hour),
 				defaultEmailCodeURLTemplate: func(ctx context.Context) string { return "http://example.com/{{.user}}/email/{{.code}}" },
+				tarpit:                      expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:   context.Background(),
@@ -2835,6 +2851,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangeUserHuman(t *testing.T) {
 				checkPermission:             newMockPermissionCheckAllowed(),
 				newEncryptedCodeWithDefault: mockEncryptedCodeWithDefault("phoneCode", time.Hour),
 				defaultSecretGenerators:     defaultGenerators,
+				tarpit:                      expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:   context.Background(),
@@ -2910,6 +2927,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangeUserHuman(t *testing.T) {
 				checkPermission:             newMockPermissionCheckAllowed(),
 				newEncryptedCodeWithDefault: mockEncryptedCodeWithDefault("phoneCode", time.Hour),
 				defaultSecretGenerators:     defaultGenerators,
+				tarpit:                      expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:   context.Background(),
@@ -2940,6 +2958,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangeUserHuman(t *testing.T) {
 					),
 				),
 				checkPermission: newMockPermissionCheckNotAllowed(),
+				tarpit:          expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:   context.Background(),
@@ -2977,6 +2996,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangeUserHuman(t *testing.T) {
 					),
 				),
 				checkPermission: newMockPermissionCheckAllowed(),
+				tarpit:          expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:   context.Background(),
@@ -3012,6 +3032,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangeUserHuman(t *testing.T) {
 					),
 				),
 				checkPermission: newMockPermissionCheckAllowed(),
+				tarpit:          expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:   context.Background(),
@@ -3091,6 +3112,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangeUserHuman(t *testing.T) {
 				checkPermission:             newMockPermissionCheckAllowed(),
 				newEncryptedCodeWithDefault: mockEncryptedCodeWithDefault("phoneCode", time.Hour),
 				defaultSecretGenerators:     defaultGenerators,
+				tarpit:                      expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:   context.Background(),
@@ -3118,6 +3140,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangeUserHuman(t *testing.T) {
 				eventstore:         expectEventstore(),
 				checkPermission:    newMockPermissionCheckAllowed(),
 				userPasswordHasher: mockPasswordHasher("x"),
+				tarpit:             expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:   context.Background(),
@@ -3151,6 +3174,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangeUserHuman(t *testing.T) {
 				),
 				checkPermission:    newMockPermissionCheckAllowed(),
 				userPasswordHasher: mockPasswordHasher("x"),
+				tarpit:             expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:   context.Background(),
@@ -3183,6 +3207,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangeUserHuman(t *testing.T) {
 							),
 						),
 					),
+					expectFilter(), // recheck of user locking relevant events
 					expectFilter(
 						eventFromEventPusher(
 							org.NewPasswordComplexityPolicyAddedEvent(context.Background(),
@@ -3198,6 +3223,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangeUserHuman(t *testing.T) {
 				),
 				checkPermission:    newMockPermissionCheckAllowed(),
 				userPasswordHasher: mockPasswordHasher("x"),
+				tarpit:             expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:   context.Background(),
@@ -3222,6 +3248,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangeUserHuman(t *testing.T) {
 				eventstore:         expectEventstore(),
 				checkPermission:    newMockPermissionCheckAllowed(),
 				userPasswordHasher: mockPasswordHasher("x"),
+				tarpit:             expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:   context.Background(),
@@ -3256,6 +3283,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangeUserHuman(t *testing.T) {
 				),
 				userPasswordHasher: mockPasswordHasher("x"),
 				checkPermission:    newMockPermissionCheckNotAllowed(),
+				tarpit:             expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:   context.Background(),
@@ -3310,6 +3338,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangeUserHuman(t *testing.T) {
 				),
 				userPasswordHasher: mockPasswordHasher("x"),
 				checkPermission:    newMockPermissionCheckAllowed(),
+				tarpit:             expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:   context.Background(),
@@ -3343,6 +3372,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangeUserHuman(t *testing.T) {
 							),
 						),
 					),
+					expectFilter(), // recheck of user locking relevant events
 					expectFilter(
 						eventFromEventPusher(
 							org.NewPasswordComplexityPolicyAddedEvent(context.Background(),
@@ -3366,6 +3396,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangeUserHuman(t *testing.T) {
 				),
 				checkPermission:    newMockPermissionCheckAllowed(),
 				userPasswordHasher: mockPasswordHasher("x"),
+				tarpit:             expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:   context.Background(),
@@ -3400,9 +3431,27 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangeUserHuman(t *testing.T) {
 							),
 						),
 					),
+					expectFilter(), // recheck of user locking relevant events
+					expectFilter(
+						eventFromEventPusher(
+							org.NewLockoutPolicyAddedEvent(context.Background(),
+								&userAgg.Aggregate,
+								0,
+								0,
+								false,
+							),
+						),
+					),
+					expectPush(
+						user.NewHumanPasswordCheckFailedEvent(context.Background(),
+							&userAgg.Aggregate,
+							nil,
+						),
+					),
 				),
 				checkPermission:    newMockPermissionCheckAllowed(),
 				userPasswordHasher: mockPasswordHasher("x"),
+				tarpit:             expectTarpit(1),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:   context.Background(),
@@ -3474,6 +3523,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangeUserHuman(t *testing.T) {
 				),
 				checkPermission:    newMockPermissionCheckAllowed(),
 				userPasswordHasher: mockPasswordHasher("x"),
+				tarpit:             expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:   context.Background(),
@@ -3528,6 +3578,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangeUserHuman(t *testing.T) {
 				),
 				checkPermission:    newMockPermissionCheckAllowed(),
 				userPasswordHasher: mockPasswordHasher("x"),
+				tarpit:             expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:   context.Background(),
@@ -3592,6 +3643,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangeUserHuman(t *testing.T) {
 				),
 				checkPermission:    newMockPermissionCheckAllowed(),
 				userPasswordHasher: mockPasswordHasher("x"),
+				tarpit:             expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:   context.Background(),
@@ -3650,6 +3702,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangeUserHuman(t *testing.T) {
 				),
 				checkPermission:    newMockPermissionCheckAllowed(),
 				userPasswordHasher: mockPasswordHasher("x"),
+				tarpit:             expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:   context.Background(),
@@ -3672,7 +3725,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangeUserHuman(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 		},
 		{
-			name: "change human password and password encoded, password code, encoded used",
+			name: "change human password encoded, old password, ok",
 			fields: fields{
 				eventstore: expectEventstore(
 					expectFilter(
@@ -3724,15 +3777,15 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangeUserHuman(t *testing.T) {
 				),
 				checkPermission:    newMockPermissionCheckAllowed(),
 				userPasswordHasher: mockPasswordHasher("x"),
+				tarpit:             expectTarpit(0),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:   context.Background(),
 				orgID: "org1",
 				human: &ChangeHuman{
 					Password: &Password{
-						Password:            "passwordnotused",
+						OldPassword:         "password",
 						EncodedPasswordHash: "$plain$x$password2",
-						PasswordCode:        "code",
 						ChangeRequired:      true,
 					},
 				},
@@ -3758,6 +3811,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangeUserHuman(t *testing.T) {
 				defaultSecretGenerators:     tt.fields.defaultSecretGenerators,
 				userEncryption:              tt.args.codeAlg,
 				defaultEmailCodeURLTemplate: tt.fields.defaultEmailCodeURLTemplate,
+				tarpit:                      tt.fields.tarpit.tarpit,
 			}
 			err := r.ChangeUserHuman(tt.args.ctx, tt.args.human, tt.args.codeAlg)
 			if tt.res.err == nil {
@@ -3773,6 +3827,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_ChangeUserHuman(t *testing.T) {
 				assert.Equal(t, tt.res.wantEmailCode, tt.args.human.EmailCode)
 				assert.Equal(t, tt.res.wantPhoneCode, tt.args.human.PhoneCode)
 			}
+			tt.fields.tarpit.metExpectedCalls(t)
 		})
 	}
 }

@@ -80,6 +80,26 @@ type UserV2WriteModel struct {
 	Metadata           map[string][]byte
 }
 
+func (wm *UserV2WriteModel) GetUserState() domain.UserState {
+	return wm.UserState
+}
+
+func (wm *UserV2WriteModel) GetPasswordCheckFailedCount() uint64 {
+	return wm.PasswordCheckFailedCount
+}
+
+func (wm *UserV2WriteModel) GetEncodedHash() string {
+	return wm.PasswordEncodedHash
+}
+
+func (wm *UserV2WriteModel) GetResourceOwner() string {
+	return wm.ResourceOwner
+}
+
+func (wm *UserV2WriteModel) GetWriteModel() *eventstore.WriteModel {
+	return &wm.WriteModel
+}
+
 func NewUserExistsWriteModel(userID, resourceOwner string) *UserV2WriteModel {
 	return newUserV2WriteModel(userID, resourceOwner, WithHuman(), WithMachine())
 }
@@ -292,6 +312,7 @@ func (wm *UserV2WriteModel) Reduce() error {
 		case *user.HumanPasswordChangedEvent:
 			wm.PasswordEncodedHash = crypto.SecretOrEncodedHash(e.Secret, e.EncodedHash)
 			wm.PasswordChangeRequired = e.ChangeRequired
+			wm.PasswordCheckFailedCount = 0
 			wm.EmptyPasswordCode()
 		case *user.HumanPasswordCodeAddedEvent:
 			wm.SetPasswordCode(e)

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ package systemdefaults
 
 import (
 	"time"
-
+	
 	"github.com/zitadel/zitadel/internal/crypto"
 )
 
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ type SystemDefaults struct {
 	PasswordHasher       crypto.HashConfig
 	SecretHasher         crypto.HashConfig
 	Multifactors         MultifactorConfig
+	Tarpit               TarpitConfig
 	DomainVerification   DomainVerification
 	Notifications        Notifications
 	KeyConfig            KeyConfig

@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+package systemdefaults
+
+import "time"
+
+type TarpitConfig struct {
+	// After how many failed attempts, the tarpit should start.
+	MinFailedAttempts uint64
+	// The seconds that will be added per step.
+	StepDuration time.Duration
+	// The failed attempts that are needed to increase the tarpit by one step.
+	StepSize uint64
+	// The maximum duration the tarpit can reach.
+	MaxDuration time.Duration
+}
+
+func (t *TarpitConfig) Tarpit() func(failedCount uint64) {
+	return func(failedCount uint64) {
+		time.Sleep(t.duration(failedCount))
+	}
+}
+
+func (t *TarpitConfig) duration(failedCount uint64) time.Duration {
+	if failedCount < t.MinFailedAttempts {
+		return 0
+	}
+	// calculate the step we are at
+	// every StepSize failed attempts increase the step by one
+	step := (failedCount - t.MinFailedAttempts) / t.StepSize
+	duration := time.Duration(step) * t.StepDuration
+	if duration < t.MaxDuration {
+		return duration
+	}
+	return t.MaxDuration
+}

@@ -0,0 +1,83 @@
+package systemdefaults
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+)
+
+func TestTarpitConfig_duration(t *testing.T) {
+	type fields struct {
+		MinFailedAttempts uint64
+		StepDuration      time.Duration
+		StepSize          uint64
+		MaxDuration       time.Duration
+	}
+	type args struct {
+		failedCount uint64
+	}
+	tests := []struct {
+		name   string
+		fields fields
+		args   args
+		want   time.Duration
+	}{
+		{
+			"no tarpit",
+			fields{
+				MinFailedAttempts: 2,
+				StepDuration:      time.Second,
+				StepSize:          1,
+				MaxDuration:       5 * time.Second,
+			},
+			args{failedCount: 1},
+			0,
+		},
+		{
+			"first step",
+			fields{
+				MinFailedAttempts: 2,
+				StepDuration:      time.Second,
+				StepSize:          1,
+				MaxDuration:       5 * time.Second,
+			},
+			args{failedCount: 3},
+			time.Second,
+		},
+		{
+			"second step",
+			fields{
+				MinFailedAttempts: 2,
+				StepDuration:      time.Second,
+				StepSize:          1,
+				MaxDuration:       5 * time.Second,
+			},
+			args{failedCount: 4},
+			2 * time.Second,
+		},
+		{
+			"exceeding max duration",
+			fields{
+				MinFailedAttempts: 2,
+				StepDuration:      time.Second,
+				StepSize:          1,
+				MaxDuration:       5 * time.Second,
+			},
+			args{failedCount: 20},
+			5 * time.Second,
+		},
+	}
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			c := &TarpitConfig{
+				MinFailedAttempts: tt.fields.MinFailedAttempts,
+				StepDuration:      tt.fields.StepDuration,
+				StepSize:          tt.fields.StepSize,
+				MaxDuration:       tt.fields.MaxDuration,
+			}
+			got := c.duration(tt.args.failedCount)
+			assert.Equal(t, tt.want, got)
+		})
+	}
+}