CWE
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CWE-318: Plaintext Storage in Executable

 
Plaintext Storage in Executable
Weakness ID: 318 (Weakness Variant)Status: Draft
+ Description

Description Summary

Sensitive information should not be stored in plaintext in an executable. Attackers can reverse engineer a binary code to obtain secret data.
+ Time of Introduction
  • Architecture and Design
  • Implementation
+ Applicable Platforms

Languages

All

+ Observed Examples
ReferenceDescription
CVE-2005-1794Product stores RSA private key in a DLL and uses it to sign a certificate, allowing spoofing of servers and MITM attacks.
+ Potential Mitigations
PhaseDescription

Sensitive information should not be stored in an executable. Even if heavy fortifications are in place, sensitive data should be encrypted to prevent the risk of losing confidentiality.

+ Relationships
NatureTypeIDNameView(s) this relationship pertains toView(s)
ChildOfWeakness BaseWeakness Base312Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information
Development Concepts (primary)699
Research Concepts (primary)1000
+ Taxonomy Mappings
Mapped Taxonomy NameNode IDFitMapped Node Name
PLOVERPlaintext Storage in Executable
+ Content History
Submissions
Submission DateSubmitterOrganizationSource
PLOVERExternally Mined
Modifications
Modification DateModifierOrganizationSource
2008-07-01Eric DalciCigitalExternal
updated Time of Introduction
2008-09-08CWE Content TeamMITREInternal
updated Relationships, Taxonomy Mappings
Page Last Updated: October 29, 2009