Misconfigured Credential Storage
TLDR: Misconfigured credential storage, emphasized in the OWASP Top Ten under “Cryptographic Failures,” exposes sensitive authentication data, such as passwords and API keys, to unauthorized access and breaches. Issues like storing credentials in plaintext, improper encryption, and lack of access controls increase security risks. Proper credential storage practices are essential to protecting sensitive information from attackers.
https://owasp.org/www-project-top-ten/
A common issue with credential storage is saving sensitive data in plaintext files or databases. This approach provides no protection against unauthorized access. OWASP advises always encrypting credentials using strong algorithms like bcrypt or PBKDF2 for passwords and AES-256 for other sensitive data.
https://owasp.org/www-project-cheat-sheets/cheatsheets/Password_Storage_Cheat_Sheet.html
Another frequent vulnerability is improper key management when encrypting credentials. Storing encryption keys alongside encrypted data negates the benefits of encryption. OWASP recommends separating key storage from encrypted data, using secure key management services like AWS KMS or Azure Key Vault.
Hardcoding credentials in source code is another major flaw. Source code repositories, even private ones, are often accessed by multiple users and can be exposed accidentally. OWASP stresses storing credentials in environment variables or secure vaults instead of embedding them in code.
https://owasp.org/www-project-top-ten/
Improper hashing of passwords, such as using outdated algorithms like MD5 or SHA-1, creates vulnerabilities to brute force and collision attacks. OWASP recommends using modern, computationally expensive algorithms like Argon2 to hash passwords securely.
https://owasp.org/www-project-cheat-sheets/cheatsheets/Password_Storage_Cheat_Sheet.html
Another risk is failing to implement access controls on credential storage locations. Databases or files containing credentials should be accessible only to authorized processes or users. OWASP emphasizes the principle of least privilege to reduce the attack surface.
https://owasp.org/www-project-top-ten/
Exposing sensitive credentials in error logs or debug output is another common mistake. Attackers can exploit detailed error messages to extract authentication data. OWASP suggests sanitizing logs and avoiding the logging of sensitive information.
https://owasp.org/www-project-cheat-sheets/cheatsheets/Error_Handling_Cheat_Sheet.html
Lack of rotation policies for stored credentials increases the risk of long-term compromise. OWASP recommends automating the rotation of sensitive credentials, such as API keys or database passwords, and ensuring that expired credentials are promptly revoked.
https://owasp.org/www-project-top-ten/
Another critical misconfiguration is neglecting to implement monitoring and alerts for credential storage. Without proper monitoring, unauthorized access or misuse of credentials can go undetected. OWASP advises integrating storage systems with SIEM tools to track and analyze access patterns.
https://owasp.org/www-project-cheat-sheets/cheatsheets/Logging_Cheat_Sheet.html
To address these risks, organizations should encrypt credentials, use secure key management, and implement comprehensive access controls. Regular audits, compliance with OWASP Top Ten recommendations, and using tools like Vault for secure storage ensure that credentials are properly protected and resilient against threats.