CWE-555: J2EE Misconfiguration: Plaintext Password in Configuration File
Learn about CWE-555 (J2EE Misconfiguration: Plaintext Password in Configuration File), its security impact, exploitation methods, and prevention guidelines.
What is J2EE Misconfiguration: Plaintext Password in Configuration File?
• Overview: CWE-555, known as J2EE Misconfiguration: Plaintext Password in Configuration File, occurs when a J2EE application stores passwords in plain text within a configuration file. This practice exposes sensitive information, making it susceptible to unauthorized access if the file is compromised.
• Exploitation Methods:
- Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by gaining access to the configuration file through methods such as file inclusion vulnerabilities, directory traversal, or insecure file permissions.
- Common attack patterns include scanning for misconfigured files, leveraging insider access, or exploiting vulnerabilities that allow file system access.
• Security Impact:
- Direct consequences of successful exploitation include unauthorized access to password-protected resources, potentially giving attackers control over application functions or sensitive data.
- Potential cascading effects include lateral movement within the network, data breaches, and further exploitation of interconnected systems.
- Business impact can be severe, leading to data loss, reputational damage, legal liabilities, and financial losses.
• Prevention Guidelines:
- Specific code-level fixes include encrypting passwords before storing them in configuration files and ensuring decryption keys are managed securely.
- Security best practices involve using environment variables or dedicated secure storage solutions like vaults for managing sensitive information.
- Recommended tools and frameworks include using J2EE frameworks that support secure credential management, such as Spring Security or leveraging cloud provider-specific solutions for secrets management.
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Technical Details
Likelihood of Exploit: Not specified
Affected Languages: Not specified
Affected Technologies: Not specified