Identity Management / Plaintext Storage of a Password

Description

Plaintext Storage of a Password is a vulnerability that occurs when a system stores a user’s password in plaintext, meaning the user’s password is not encrypted or hashed. The vulnerability can occur in both web and API systems as well as in infrastructure systems. According to the OWASP Testing Guide, this vulnerability can be easily identified by reviewing the source code of the application.

Risk

The risk associated with the Plaintext Storage of a Password vulnerability is a high risk. If an attacker were to gain access to the plaintext passwords, they would be able to access the user's credentials and use them to gain access to the system or application. Additionally, if passwords are stored in plaintext, they can be easily exposed in the event of a data breach.

Solution

To prevent Plaintext Storage of a Password vulnerability, passwords should always be stored in a secure, encrypted format. Additionally, passwords should be hashed using a strong hashing algorithm. Furthermore, the application should not store passwords in the clear or in any reversible format.