CWE-542: DEPRECATED: Information Exposure Through Cleanup Log Files
Learn about CWE-542 (DEPRECATED: Information Exposure Through Cleanup Log Files), its security impact, exploitation methods, and prevention guidelines.
What is DEPRECATED: Information Exposure Through Cleanup Log Files?
• Overview: This entry refers to the risk of sensitive information being exposed through cleanup log files that are not properly managed or sanitized. Despite deprecation, it highlights the importance of ensuring logs do not inadvertently contain sensitive data.
• Exploitation Methods:
- Attackers can access log files left unsecured or improperly sanitized to extract sensitive information.
- Common attack patterns include scanning for log files with default or predictable locations and names, and using automated tools to identify sensitive information within these files.
• Security Impact:
- Direct consequences include unauthorized access to sensitive information such as credentials, personal data, or system configurations.
- Potential cascading effects include further system compromise, data breaches, and unauthorized system access.
- Business impact may involve legal penalties, loss of customer trust, and damage to reputation.
• Prevention Guidelines:
- Specific code-level fixes include ensuring that log files do not contain sensitive information by default, and implementing sanitization routines.
- Security best practices involve regularly auditing log content, securing log storage locations, and enforcing strict access controls.
- Recommended tools and frameworks include log management solutions that offer encryption, access controls, and automated log rotation and cleanup features.
Technical Details
Likelihood of Exploit: Not specified
Affected Languages: Not specified
Affected Technologies: Not specified