CWE-498: Cloneable Class Containing Sensitive Information

What is Cloneable Class Containing Sensitive Information?

• Overview: This vulnerability occurs when a class that contains sensitive information is marked as cloneable, allowing the sensitive data to be copied and accessed by cloning instances of the class without restrictions.

• Exploitation Methods:

• Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by creating clones of the object that contains sensitive data, thereby gaining unauthorized access to the information.
• Common attack patterns include using the clone method to duplicate objects and access their internal states without going through secure construction processes.

• Security Impact:

• Direct consequences of successful exploitation include unauthorized access to sensitive data, which can lead to information leakage.
• Potential cascading effects include compromise of system confidentiality and integrity if the cloned data is used to further infiltrate or manipulate the system.
• Business impact may involve loss of consumer trust, legal liabilities, and financial losses due to data breaches.

• Prevention Guidelines:

• Specific code-level fixes include making classes that contain sensitive information non-cloneable by not implementing the Cloneable interface or explicitly denying cloning in C++ and C#.
• Security best practices involve designing classes to encapsulate sensitive data tightly and providing controlled access methods, such as accessors with appropriate security checks.
• Recommended tools and frameworks include using static analysis tools to detect cloneable classes with sensitive data and employing secure coding frameworks to enforce best practices.

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Technical Details

Likelihood of Exploit: Medium

Affected Languages: C++, Java, C#

Affected Technologies: Not specified

Vulnerable Code Example

// This class contains sensitive information and implements a clone method, 
// allowing the sensitive data to be duplicated and potentially exposed.
#include <iostream>
#include <string>

class SensitiveDataClass {
public:
    SensitiveDataClass(std::string pwd) : password(pwd) {}

    // Clone method creates a duplicate of this object
    SensitiveDataClass* clone() const {
        return new SensitiveDataClass(*this);
    }

    void display() const {
        std::cout << "Password: " << password << std::endl;
    }

private:
    std::string password; // Sensitive data
};

int main() {
    SensitiveDataClass original("SuperSecret123");
    SensitiveDataClass* clone = original.clone();

    clone->display();  // Potential exposure of sensitive data

    delete clone;
    return 0;
}

Explanation of Vulnerability

In this example, the SensitiveDataClass contains a clone method that allows the entire object, including sensitive information like passwords, to be duplicated. This poses a security risk as it increases the chance of sensitive data being exposed unintentionally, especially if the cloned object is mishandled or accessed by unauthorized entities.

How to fix Cloneable Class Containing Sensitive Information?

To fix this vulnerability, we should avoid making sensitive data cloneable. Instead of providing a clone method, provide controlled access through secure methods that do not expose sensitive data. If cloning is necessary for other reasons, ensure that sensitive information is not copied or is adequately protected. One approach is to remove the clone method altogether or use design patterns such as Proxy or Factory that manage instances securely.

Fixed Code Example

// Fixed version: Removed the clone method to prevent duplication of sensitive information.
#include <iostream>
#include <string>

class SensitiveDataClass {
public:
    SensitiveDataClass(std::string pwd) : password(pwd) {}

    // Removed clone method to prevent copying of sensitive data
    // SensitiveDataClass* clone() const = delete;

    void displaySafeMessage() const {
        std::cout << "Access granted to secure operations." << std::endl;
    }

private:
    std::string password; // Sensitive data
};

int main() {
    SensitiveDataClass secureInstance("SuperSecret123");
    secureInstance.displaySafeMessage();  // Safe interaction without exposing sensitive data

    return 0;
}

Explanation of the Fix

In the fixed example, the clone method has been removed, eliminating the possibility of inadvertently duplicating and exposing sensitive data. Instead, interactions with the SensitiveDataClass are managed through controlled, secure methods that do not expose the password. This prevents unauthorized access and manipulation of sensitive information. By removing the ability to clone the object, the code ensures that sensitive data is not unintentionally exposed or mishandled.