CWE-260Password in Configuration File

Description

The product stores a password in a configuration file that might be accessible to actors who do not know the password.

Common consequences

• Access Control→Gain Privileges or Assume Identity
  This can result in compromise of the system for which the password is used. An attacker could gain access to this file and learn the stored password or worse yet, change the password to one of their choosing.

Potential mitigations

• 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.

Related CWEs

Recent CVEs classified under this CWE