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Description
The software transmits sensitive or security-critical data in cleartext in a communication channel that can be sniffed by unauthorized actors.
Many communication channels can be “sniffed” by attackers during data transmission. For example, network traffic can often be sniffed by any attacker who has access to a network interface. This significantly lowers the difficulty of exploitation by attackers.
Modes of Introduction:
– Architecture and Design
Likelihood of Exploit: High
Related Weaknesses
CWE-311
CWE-311
Consequences
Integrity, Confidentiality: Read Application Data, Modify Files or Directories
Anyone can read the information by gaining access to the channel being used for communication.
Potential Mitigations
Phase: Architecture and Design
Description:
Encrypt the data with a reliable encryption scheme before transmitting.
Phase: Implementation
Description:
When using web applications with SSL, use SSL for the entire session from login to logout, not just for the initial login page.
Phase: Testing
Description:
Use tools and techniques that require manual (human) analysis, such as penetration testing, threat modeling, and interactive tools that allow the tester to record and modify an active session. These may be more effective than strictly automated techniques. This is especially the case with weaknesses that are related to design and business rules.
Phase: Operation
Description:
Configure servers to use encrypted channels for communication, which may include SSL or other secure protocols.
CVE References
- CVE-2008-4122
- Chain: Use of HTTPS cookie without “secure” flag causes it to be transmitted across unencrypted HTTP.
- CVE-2008-3289
- Product sends password hash in cleartext in violation of intended policy.
- CVE-2008-4390
- Remote management feature sends sensitive information including passwords in cleartext.
- CVE-2007-5626
- Backup routine sends password in cleartext in email.
- CVE-2004-1852
- Product transmits Blowfish encryption key in cleartext.
- CVE-2008-0374
- Printer sends configuration information, including administrative password, in cleartext.
- CVE-2007-4961
- Chain: cleartext transmission of the MD5 hash of password enables attacks against a server that is susceptible to replay (CWE-294).
- CVE-2007-4786
- Product sends passwords in cleartext to a log server.
- CVE-2005-3140
- Product sends file with cleartext passwords in e-mail message intended for diagnostic purposes.
