CWE-1243: Sensitive Non-Volatile Information Not Protected During Debug

What is Sensitive Non-Volatile Information Not Protected During Debug?

• Overview: Sensitive Non-Volatile Information Not Protected During Debug (CWE-1243) occurs when access to important security information stored in fuses, such as encryption keys, is not restricted during debugging processes, potentially allowing unauthorized access.

• Exploitation Methods:

• Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by gaining access to the debug interface of a device and reading sensitive data not otherwise accessible.
• Common attack patterns include using debug tools to bypass standard security controls and extracting sensitive fuse-stored information during the device's boot-up or runtime.

• Security Impact:

• Direct consequences of successful exploitation include unauthorized access to root keys, encryption keys, and other sensitive data, potentially compromising the entire security model of the device.
• Potential cascading effects could involve unauthorized firmware modifications, data breaches, and further exploitation of the system.
• Business impact includes potential loss of intellectual property, legal ramifications, financial losses, and damage to brand reputation due to compromised security.

• Prevention Guidelines:

• Specific code-level fixes include implementing stringent access control measures during debug operations, ensuring debug interfaces do not expose sensitive data.
• Security best practices involve disabling or restricting debug interfaces in production environments and using secure boot mechanisms to protect sensitive information.
• Recommended tools and frameworks include employing hardware security modules (HSMs) and secure key storage solutions, and using integrated development environments (IDEs) with security-focused debugging capabilities.

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Technical Details

Likelihood of Exploit: Not specified

Affected Languages: Not Language-Specific

Affected Technologies: Not Technology-Specific

Vulnerable Code Example

JavaScript Example

// This code stores sensitive information in a configuration object
// which might be exposed during debugging sessions.
const config = {
    apiKey: "superSecretApiKey123", // Sensitive information
    debugMode: true // Debug mode is enabled
};

// When debugMode is true, sensitive information is logged to the console.
if (config.debugMode) {
    console.log("Debug Mode Active: API Key is " + config.apiKey); // Exposes sensitive information
}

Explanation:

• Hardcoded Sensitive Information: The API key is hardcoded into the source code, which is a security risk as it can be easily exposed if the code is accessed.
• Exposed in Logs: The API key is logged to the console when debugMode is true, which can lead to unintended exposure of sensitive data during debugging.

How to fix Sensitive Non-Volatile Information Not Protected During Debug?

To fix this vulnerability, we should ensure that sensitive information is appropriately protected and not exposed during debugging sessions. This can be achieved by:

1. Avoiding hardcoding sensitive information directly into the source code.
2. Using environment variables or secure vaults to manage sensitive data.
3. Ensuring that debug logs do not contain sensitive information.
4. Disabling or limiting debug mode in production environments.

Fixed Code Example

// Securely manage configuration by using environment variables
const config = {
    apiKey: process.env.API_KEY || "defaultApiKey", // Use environment variable for sensitive information
    debugMode: process.env.DEBUG_MODE === 'true' // Control debug mode via environment variable
};

// Debug logs should not expose sensitive information
if (config.debugMode) {
    console.log("Debug Mode Active: API Key is [REDACTED]"); // Do not log sensitive information
}

Explanation:

• Environment Variables: The fixed code uses environment variables (process.env.API_KEY) to manage sensitive information securely, reducing the risk of exposure in the source code.
• Debug Logging: The debug log statement has been altered to not directly print sensitive information. Instead, it indicates that sensitive data is redacted, which is a safer practice.
• Control Debug Mode: The debug mode is controlled via an environment variable (process.env.DEBUG_MODE), ensuring it can be easily disabled in production environments.

These changes help protect sensitive information during debugging and ensure that your application adheres to security best practices.