CWE-260 Base Incompleto

Password in Configuration File

This vulnerability occurs when an application stores sensitive passwords directly within a configuration file, making them easily readable to anyone with access to that file.

Definición

What is CWE-260?

This vulnerability occurs when an application stores sensitive passwords directly within a configuration file, making them easily readable to anyone with access to that file.
Storing passwords in plain text within config files, such as .env, .properties, XML, or YAML files, is a critical security misstep. These files are often committed to version control, deployed with the application, or left in accessible directories, exposing the credentials to developers, system administrators, or even attackers who gain basic access to the system. The core problem is that configuration files are designed for settings, not for safeguarding secrets. An attacker who discovers this file can immediately steal the password to impersonate the application, often gaining the same level of access to databases, external APIs, or administrative systems. In some cases, if the file has write permissions, they could even change the password to one they control, locking out the legitimate application and taking full control of the dependent service. This single flaw can lead to complete system compromise, data breaches, and unauthorized actions performed under the application's identity.
Impacto en el mundo real

Real-world CVEs caused by CWE-260

  • CVE-2022-38665

    A continuous delivery pipeline management tool stores an unencypted password in a configuration file.

Cómo lo explotan los atacantes

Ruta del atacante paso a paso

  1. 1

    Below is a snippet from a Java properties file.

  2. 2

    Because the LDAP credentials are stored in plaintext, anyone with access to the file can gain access to the resource.

  3. 3

    The following examples show a portion of properties and configuration files for Java and ASP.NET applications. The files include username and password information but they are stored in cleartext.

  4. 4

    This Java example shows a properties file with a cleartext username / password pair.

  5. 5

    The following example shows a portion of a configuration file for an ASP.Net application. This configuration file includes username and password information for a connection to a database but the pair is stored in cleartext.

Ejemplo de código vulnerable

Vulnerable Java

Below is a snippet from a Java properties file.

Vulnerable Java 
webapp.ldap.username = secretUsername
  webapp.ldap.password = secretPassword
Ejemplo de código seguro

Secure pseudo

Seguro pseudo 
// Validate, sanitize, or use a safe API before reaching the sink.
function handleRequest(input) {
  const safe = validateAndEscape(input);
  return executeWithGuards(safe);
}
What changed: the unsafe sink is replaced (or the input is validated/escaped) so the same payload no longer triggers the weakness.
Lista de prevención

How to prevent CWE-260

  • Architecture and Design Avoid storing passwords in easily accessible locations.
  • Architecture and Design Consider storing cryptographic hashes of passwords as an alternative to storing in plaintext.
Señales de detección

How to detect CWE-260

Automated Static Analysis High

Automated static analysis, commonly referred to as Static Application Security Testing (SAST), can find some instances of this weakness by analyzing source code (or binary/compiled code) without having to execute it. Typically, this is done by building a model of data flow and control flow, then searching for potentially-vulnerable patterns that connect "sources" (origins of input) with "sinks" (destinations where the data interacts with external components, a lower layer such as the OS, etc.)

Auto-corrección de Plexicus

Plexicus detecta automáticamente CWE-260 y abre un PR de corrección en menos de 60 segundos.

Codex Remedium escanea cada commit, identifica esta debilidad concreta y entrega un pull request listo para revisión con el parche. Sin tickets. Sin traspasos.

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Preguntas frecuentes

Frequently asked questions

¿Qué es CWE-260?

This vulnerability occurs when an application stores sensitive passwords directly within a configuration file, making them easily readable to anyone with access to that file.

¿Qué gravedad tiene CWE-260?

MITRE no ha publicado una calificación de probabilidad de explotación para esta debilidad. Trátala como de impacto medio hasta que tu modelo de amenazas demuestre lo contrario.

¿Qué lenguajes o plataformas se ven afectados por CWE-260?

MITRE no ha especificado plataformas afectadas para esta CWE — puede aplicar a la mayoría de los stacks de aplicaciones.

¿Cómo puedo prevenir CWE-260?

Avoid storing passwords in easily accessible locations. Consider storing cryptographic hashes of passwords as an alternative to storing in plaintext.

¿Cómo detecta y corrige Plexicus CWE-260?

El motor SAST de Plexicus detecta la firma de flujo de datos para CWE-260 en cada commit. Cuando hay coincidencia, nuestro agente Codex Remedium abre un PR de corrección con el código corregido, las pruebas y un resumen de una línea para el revisor.

¿Dónde puedo aprender más sobre CWE-260?

MITRE publica la definición canónica en https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/260.html. También puedes consultar la documentación de OWASP y NIST para guías relacionadas.

Debilidades relacionadas

Weaknesses related to CWE-260

CWE-522 Padre

Insufficiently Protected Credentials

This vulnerability occurs when an application handles sensitive credentials like passwords or API keys in an insecure way, making them…

CWE-256 Hermano

Plaintext Storage of a Password

This vulnerability occurs when an application stores user passwords as readable text instead of using secure, one-way hashing. This…

CWE-257 Hermano

Storing Passwords in a Recoverable Format

This vulnerability occurs when an application stores user passwords in a format that can be easily reversed or decrypted back to their…

CWE-261 Hermano

Weak Encoding for Password

Using simple encoding like Base64 to hide a password provides no real security, as it can be easily reversed.

CWE-523 Hermano

Unprotected Transport of Credentials

This vulnerability occurs when a login page or authentication system transmits user credentials (like usernames and passwords) over a…

CWE-549 Hermano

Missing Password Field Masking

This vulnerability occurs when an application fails to hide password characters as they are typed, making them visible to anyone who can…

CWE-13 Hijo

ASP.NET Misconfiguration: Password in Configuration File

This vulnerability occurs when an ASP.NET application stores passwords or other sensitive credentials in plaintext within configuration…

CWE-258 Hijo

Empty Password in Configuration File

This vulnerability occurs when a configuration file, script, or application uses an empty string as a password, effectively disabling…

CWE-555 Hijo

J2EE Misconfiguration: Plaintext Password in Configuration File

A J2EE application insecurely stores an unprotected password within a configuration file.

Recursos

Further reading

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