CWE-524 Base Incompleto

Use of Cache Containing Sensitive Information

This vulnerability occurs when an application stores sensitive data in a cache that is accessible to unauthorized users or external systems.

Definición

What is CWE-524?

This vulnerability occurs when an application stores sensitive data in a cache that is accessible to unauthorized users or external systems.
Caches are used to boost performance by temporarily storing resources like database connections, session data, passwords, or computed results. However, if this cache is misconfigured or placed in an insecure location—such as a shared memory space or an externally readable directory—attackers can directly access it and steal the sensitive information it contains. Managing this at scale is difficult; an ASPM like Plexicus can help you track and remediate these flaws across your entire stack. While SAST tools can detect insecure cache configurations, Plexicus uses AI to analyze context and suggest specific, actionable fixes—such as implementing proper access controls or moving the cache to a secure, isolated location—saving hours of manual investigation and repair work.
Impacto en el mundo real

Real-world CVEs caused by CWE-524

Todavía no hay CVEs públicos enlazados a esta CWE en el catálogo de MITRE.

Cómo lo explotan los atacantes

Ruta del atacante paso a paso

  1. 1

    Identifica una ruta de código que maneje entrada no confiable sin validación.

  2. 2

    Crea un payload que ejercite el comportamiento inseguro — inyección, traversal, overflow o abuso de lógica.

  3. 3

    Envía el payload a través de una solicitud normal y observa la reacción de la aplicación.

  4. 4

    Itera hasta que la respuesta filtre datos, ejecute código del atacante o escale privilegios.

Ejemplo de código vulnerable

Vulnerable pseudo

MITRE no ha publicado un ejemplo de código para esta CWE. El patrón siguiente es ilustrativo — consulta Recursos para referencias canónicas.

Vulnerable pseudo 
// Example pattern — see MITRE for the canonical references.
function handleRequest(input) {
  // Untrusted input flows directly into the sensitive sink.
  return executeUnsafe(input);
}
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-524

  • Architecture and Design Protect information stored in cache.
  • Architecture and Design Do not store unnecessarily sensitive information in the cache.
  • Architecture and Design Consider using encryption in the cache.
Señales de detección

How to detect CWE-524

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-524 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-524?

This vulnerability occurs when an application stores sensitive data in a cache that is accessible to unauthorized users or external systems.

¿Qué gravedad tiene CWE-524?

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-524?

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

¿Cómo puedo prevenir CWE-524?

Protect information stored in cache. Do not store unnecessarily sensitive information in the cache.

¿Cómo detecta y corrige Plexicus CWE-524?

El motor SAST de Plexicus detecta la firma de flujo de datos para CWE-524 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-524?

MITRE publica la definición canónica en https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/524.html. También puedes consultar la documentación de OWASP y NIST para guías relacionadas.

Debilidades relacionadas

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Recursos

Further reading

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