CWE-539 Variante Incompleto

Use of Persistent Cookies Containing Sensitive Information

This vulnerability occurs when a web application stores sensitive data, like authentication details or personal information, within persistent cookies that remain on a user's device.

Definición

What is CWE-539?

This vulnerability occurs when a web application stores sensitive data, like authentication details or personal information, within persistent cookies that remain on a user's device.
Cookies are small pieces of data set by a web application and stored locally in a user's browser. While they are essential for maintaining state—like keeping a user logged in or remembering site preferences—they become a security risk when sensitive information is written directly into a cookie that is saved to disk. Unlike session cookies, which are deleted when the browser closes, persistent cookies remain on the hard drive for a defined period, making the sensitive data they contain accessible long-term. Storing sensitive data such as usernames, passwords, session tokens, or personal details in a persistent cookie exposes it to theft or misuse. Attackers can extract these cookies from browser files or through cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks, potentially leading to account takeover or privacy violations. Developers should instead use persistent cookies only for non-sensitive identifiers, storing the actual sensitive data securely on the server side where it can be properly protected.
Impacto en el mundo real

Real-world CVEs caused by CWE-539

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-539

  • Architecture and Design Do not store sensitive information in persistent cookies.
Señales de detección

How to detect CWE-539

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-539 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-539?

This vulnerability occurs when a web application stores sensitive data, like authentication details or personal information, within persistent cookies that remain on a user's device.

¿Qué gravedad tiene CWE-539?

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-539?

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

¿Cómo puedo prevenir CWE-539?

Do not store sensitive information in persistent cookies.

¿Cómo detecta y corrige Plexicus CWE-539?

El motor SAST de Plexicus detecta la firma de flujo de datos para CWE-539 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-539?

MITRE publica la definición canónica en https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/539.html. También puedes consultar la documentación de OWASP y NIST para guías relacionadas.

Debilidades relacionadas

Weaknesses related to CWE-539

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Recursos

Further reading

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