Authentication / Browser Cache Weaknesses

Description

Browser Cache Weaknesses is a type of authentication vulnerability, commonly found in Web and API applications, as classified by the Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) directory. This vulnerability occurs when a browser stores credentials and other sensitive information in the browser cache, and this information can be accessed by an attacker, who can then use it to gain access to the application. It is also described in the OWASP Testing Guide, which states that "The cache can be used to gain access to an application if credentials are stored in the cache."

Risk

Browser Cache Weaknesses is a critical vulnerability as it can allow an attacker to gain access to sensitive information, including credentials, and gain access to the application. This can lead to a data breach or financial loss, among other risks.

Solution

The best way to protect against Browser Cache Weaknesses is to ensure that no sensitive information is stored in the browser cache. This can be done by disabling the browser cache entirely, or by using headers (e.g. Cache-Control or Expires) to prevent caching of sensitive information. Additionally, developers should always use secure authentication protocols (e.g. OAuth) to ensure that credentials are not stored in the browser cache.

Example

The following code is an example of how to disable caching in the browser:

Cache-Control: no-cache
Expires: -1
Pragma: no-cache