Identity Management / Use of Hard-Coded Credentials

Description

Use of Hard-coded Credentials (CWE-798) is a type of Identity Management vulnerability that occurs when credentials such as passwords, usernames, or keys are hard-coded into applications or services. This type of vulnerability is commonly found in Web and API applications and is listed as one of the CWE Top 25 (2022). Hard-coded credentials are easily discovered by an attacker and can be used to gain unauthorized access to the application or service. According to the OWASP Testing Guide, an attacker can gain access to the application through the use of hard-coded credentials.

Risk

The use of hard-coded credentials in applications and services poses a severe security risk. Without proper authentication, an attacker can easily gain access to the application and potentially gain access to sensitive data stored within it. Additionally, the use of hard-coded credentials can also lead to other security risks such as data leakage and privilege escalation.

Solution

The most effective way to mitigate the risk of hard-coded credentials is to use an authentication system that utilizes a unique and secure user credentials. This can be achieved through the use of strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and/or identity and access management solutions. Additionally, application and service code should also be regularly reviewed to ensure that no hard-coded credentials are present.