CWE-257 - Storing Passwords in a Recoverable Format
CWE-257 High
- Abstraction:
- Base
- Structure:
- Simple
- Status:
- Incomplete
- Weakness Name
Storing Passwords in a Recoverable Format
- Description
The storage of passwords in a recoverable format makes them subject to password reuse attacks by malicious users. In fact, it should be noted that recoverable encrypted passwords provide no significant benefit over plaintext passwords since they are subject not only to reuse by malicious attackers but also by malicious insiders. If a system administrator can recover a password directly, or use a brute force search on the available information, the administrator can use the password on other accounts.
- Common Consequences
Scope: Confidentiality, Access Control
Impact: Gain Privileges or Assume Identity
Notes: User's passwords may be revealed.
Scope: Access Control
Impact: Gain Privileges or Assume Identity
Notes: Revealed passwords may be reused elsewhere to impersonate the users in question.
- Related Weaknesses
- Release Date:
- 2006-07-19
- Latest Modification Date:
- 2023-10-26
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