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Description

A process is invoked with sensitive command-line arguments, environment variables, or other elements that can be seen by other processes on the operating system.

Many operating systems allow a user to list information about processes that are owned by other users. Other users could see information such as command line arguments or environment variable settings. When this data contains sensitive information such as credentials, it might allow other users to launch an attack against the software or related resources.

Modes of Introduction:

– Architecture and Design

 

 

Related Weaknesses

CWE-497

 

Consequences

Confidentiality: Read Application Data

 

Potential Mitigations

CVE References

  • CVE-2001-1565
    • username/password on command line allows local users to view via “ps” or other process listing programs
  • CVE-2004-1948
    • Username/password on command line allows local users to view via “ps” or other process listing programs.
  • CVE-1999-1270
    • PGP passphrase provided as command line argument.
  • CVE-2004-1058
    • Kernel race condition allows reading of environment variables of a process that is still spawning.