Kingdom: Security Features

Software security is not security software. Here we're concerned with topics like authentication, access control, confidentiality, cryptography, and privilege management.

Password Management: Password in Comment

Abstract

Storing passwords or password details in plain text anywhere in the system or system code might compromise system security in a way that is not easy to remedy.

Explanation

It is never a good idea to hardcode a password. Storing password details within comments is equivalent to hardcoding passwords. Not only is the password visible to the project's developers, it also makes fixing the problem extremely difficult. After the code is in production, the password is now leaked to the outside world and cannot be protected or changed without patching the software. If the account protected by the password is compromised, the owners of the system must choose between security and availability.
Example 1: The following comment specifies the default password for FTP connection:


...
* Default username for FTP connection is "scott"
* Default password for FTP connection is "tiger"
...

This code will run successfully, but anyone who has access to it will have access to the password. An employee with access to this information can use it to break into the system.

References

[1] Scott Mitchell Protecting Connection Strings and Other Configuration Information Microsoft

[2] Standards Mapping - Common Weakness Enumeration CWE ID 615

[3] Standards Mapping - DISA Control Correlation Identifier Version 2 CCI-000196, CCI-001199, CCI-002367

[4] Standards Mapping - FIPS200 IA

[5] Standards Mapping - General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Insufficient Data Protection

[6] Standards Mapping - NIST Special Publication 800-53 Revision 4 IA-5 Authenticator Management (P1), SC-28 Protection of Information at Rest (P1)

[7] Standards Mapping - NIST Special Publication 800-53 Revision 5 IA-5 Authenticator Management, SC-28 Protection of Information at Rest

[8] Standards Mapping - OWASP Mobile 2014 M2 Insecure Data Storage

[9] Standards Mapping - OWASP Mobile 2024 M1 Improper Credential Usage

[10] Standards Mapping - OWASP Mobile Application Security Verification Standard 2.0 MASVS-STORAGE-1

[11] Standards Mapping - OWASP Top 10 2004 A8 Insecure Storage

[12] Standards Mapping - OWASP Top 10 2007 A8 Insecure Cryptographic Storage

[13] Standards Mapping - OWASP Top 10 2010 A7 Insecure Cryptographic Storage

[14] Standards Mapping - OWASP Top 10 2013 A6 Sensitive Data Exposure

[15] Standards Mapping - OWASP Top 10 2017 A3 Sensitive Data Exposure

[16] Standards Mapping - OWASP Top 10 2021 A05 Security Misconfiguration

[17] Standards Mapping - Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard Version 1.1 Requirement 6.5.8, Requirement 8.4

[18] Standards Mapping - Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard Version 1.2 Requirement 6.3.1.3, Requirement 6.5.8, Requirement 8.4

[19] Standards Mapping - Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard Version 2.0 Requirement 6.3.1, Requirement 6.5.3, Requirement 8.4

[20] Standards Mapping - Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard Version 3.0 Requirement 6.3.1, Requirement 6.5.3, Requirement 8.2.1

[21] Standards Mapping - Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard Version 3.1 Requirement 6.3.1, Requirement 6.5.3, Requirement 8.2.1

[22] Standards Mapping - Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard Version 3.2 Requirement 6.3.1, Requirement 6.5.3, Requirement 8.2.1

[23] Standards Mapping - Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard Version 3.2.1 Requirement 6.3.1, Requirement 6.5.3, Requirement 8.2.1

[24] Standards Mapping - Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard Version 4.0 Requirement 3.2.1, Requirement 6.2.4, Requirement 6.5.3, Requirement 6.5.6

[25] Standards Mapping - Payment Card Industry Software Security Framework 1.0 Control Objective 6.1 - Sensitive Data Protection, Control Objective 7 - Use of Cryptography

[26] Standards Mapping - Payment Card Industry Software Security Framework 1.1 Control Objective 6.1 - Sensitive Data Protection, Control Objective 7 - Use of Cryptography

[27] Standards Mapping - Payment Card Industry Software Security Framework 1.2 Control Objective 6.1 - Sensitive Data Protection, Control Objective 7 - Use of Cryptography

[28] Standards Mapping - Security Technical Implementation Guide Version 3.1 APP3210.1 CAT II, APP3340 CAT I, APP3350 CAT I

[29] Standards Mapping - Security Technical Implementation Guide Version 3.4 APP3210.1 CAT II, APP3340 CAT I, APP3350 CAT I

[30] Standards Mapping - Security Technical Implementation Guide Version 3.5 APP3210.1 CAT II, APP3340 CAT I, APP3350 CAT I

[31] Standards Mapping - Security Technical Implementation Guide Version 3.6 APP3210.1 CAT II, APP3340 CAT I, APP3350 CAT I

[32] Standards Mapping - Security Technical Implementation Guide Version 3.7 APP3210.1 CAT II, APP3340 CAT I, APP3350 CAT I

[33] Standards Mapping - Security Technical Implementation Guide Version 3.9 APP3210.1 CAT II, APP3340 CAT I, APP3350 CAT I

[34] Standards Mapping - Security Technical Implementation Guide Version 3.10 APP3210.1 CAT II, APP3340 CAT I, APP3350 CAT I

[35] Standards Mapping - Security Technical Implementation Guide Version 4.2 APSC-DV-001740 CAT I, APSC-DV-002330 CAT II, APSC-DV-003110 CAT I

[36] Standards Mapping - Security Technical Implementation Guide Version 4.3 APSC-DV-001740 CAT I, APSC-DV-002330 CAT II, APSC-DV-003110 CAT I

[37] Standards Mapping - Security Technical Implementation Guide Version 4.4 APSC-DV-001740 CAT I, APSC-DV-002330 CAT II, APSC-DV-003110 CAT I

[38] Standards Mapping - Security Technical Implementation Guide Version 4.5 APSC-DV-001740 CAT I, APSC-DV-002330 CAT II, APSC-DV-003110 CAT I

[39] Standards Mapping - Security Technical Implementation Guide Version 4.6 APSC-DV-001740 CAT I, APSC-DV-002330 CAT II, APSC-DV-003110 CAT I

[40] Standards Mapping - Security Technical Implementation Guide Version 4.7 APSC-DV-001740 CAT I, APSC-DV-002330 CAT II, APSC-DV-003110 CAT I

[41] Standards Mapping - Security Technical Implementation Guide Version 4.8 APSC-DV-001740 CAT I, APSC-DV-002330 CAT II, APSC-DV-003110 CAT I

[42] Standards Mapping - Security Technical Implementation Guide Version 4.9 APSC-DV-001740 CAT I, APSC-DV-002330 CAT II, APSC-DV-003110 CAT I

[43] Standards Mapping - Security Technical Implementation Guide Version 4.10 APSC-DV-001740 CAT I, APSC-DV-002330 CAT II, APSC-DV-003110 CAT I

[44] Standards Mapping - Security Technical Implementation Guide Version 4.11 APSC-DV-001740 CAT I, APSC-DV-002330 CAT II, APSC-DV-003110 CAT I

[45] Standards Mapping - Security Technical Implementation Guide Version 4.1 APSC-DV-001740 CAT I, APSC-DV-002330 CAT II, APSC-DV-003110 CAT I

[46] Standards Mapping - Security Technical Implementation Guide Version 5.1 APSC-DV-001740 CAT I, APSC-DV-002330 CAT II, APSC-DV-003110 CAT I

[47] Standards Mapping - Security Technical Implementation Guide Version 5.2 APSC-DV-001740 CAT I, APSC-DV-002330 CAT II, APSC-DV-003110 CAT I

[48] Standards Mapping - Security Technical Implementation Guide Version 5.3 APSC-DV-001740 CAT I, APSC-DV-002330 CAT II, APSC-DV-003110 CAT I

[49] Standards Mapping - Security Technical Implementation Guide Version 6.1 APSC-DV-001740 CAT I, APSC-DV-002330 CAT II, APSC-DV-003110 CAT I

[50] Standards Mapping - Web Application Security Consortium Version 2.00 Information Leakage (WASC-13)

[51] Standards Mapping - Web Application Security Consortium 24 + 2 Information Leakage

desc.structural.abap.password_management_password_in_comment

Abstract

Storing passwords or password details in plain text anywhere in the system or system code might compromise system security in a way that is not easy to remedy.

Explanation


...
// Default username for database connection is "scott"
// Default password for database connection is "tiger"
...

This code will run successfully, but anyone who has access to it will have access to the password. An employee with access to this information can use it to break into the system.

References

[1] Standards Mapping - Common Weakness Enumeration CWE ID 615

[2] Standards Mapping - DISA Control Correlation Identifier Version 2 CCI-000196, CCI-001199, CCI-002367

[3] Standards Mapping - FIPS200 IA

[4] Standards Mapping - General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Insufficient Data Protection

[5] Standards Mapping - NIST Special Publication 800-53 Revision 4 IA-5 Authenticator Management (P1), SC-28 Protection of Information at Rest (P1)

[6] Standards Mapping - NIST Special Publication 800-53 Revision 5 IA-5 Authenticator Management, SC-28 Protection of Information at Rest

[7] Standards Mapping - OWASP Mobile 2014 M2 Insecure Data Storage

[8] Standards Mapping - OWASP Mobile 2024 M1 Improper Credential Usage

[9] Standards Mapping - OWASP Mobile Application Security Verification Standard 2.0 MASVS-STORAGE-1

[10] Standards Mapping - OWASP Top 10 2004 A8 Insecure Storage

[11] Standards Mapping - OWASP Top 10 2007 A8 Insecure Cryptographic Storage

[12] Standards Mapping - OWASP Top 10 2010 A7 Insecure Cryptographic Storage

[13] Standards Mapping - OWASP Top 10 2013 A6 Sensitive Data Exposure

[14] Standards Mapping - OWASP Top 10 2017 A3 Sensitive Data Exposure

[15] Standards Mapping - OWASP Top 10 2021 A05 Security Misconfiguration

[16] Standards Mapping - Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard Version 1.1 Requirement 6.5.8, Requirement 8.4

[17] Standards Mapping - Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard Version 1.2 Requirement 6.3.1.3, Requirement 6.5.8, Requirement 8.4

[18] Standards Mapping - Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard Version 2.0 Requirement 6.3.1, Requirement 6.5.3, Requirement 8.4

[19] Standards Mapping - Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard Version 3.0 Requirement 6.3.1, Requirement 6.5.3, Requirement 8.2.1

[20] Standards Mapping - Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard Version 3.1 Requirement 6.3.1, Requirement 6.5.3, Requirement 8.2.1

[21] Standards Mapping - Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard Version 3.2 Requirement 6.3.1, Requirement 6.5.3, Requirement 8.2.1

[22] Standards Mapping - Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard Version 3.2.1 Requirement 6.3.1, Requirement 6.5.3, Requirement 8.2.1

[23] Standards Mapping - Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard Version 4.0 Requirement 3.2.1, Requirement 6.2.4, Requirement 6.5.3, Requirement 6.5.6

[24] Standards Mapping - Payment Card Industry Software Security Framework 1.0 Control Objective 6.1 - Sensitive Data Protection, Control Objective 7 - Use of Cryptography

[25] Standards Mapping - Payment Card Industry Software Security Framework 1.1 Control Objective 6.1 - Sensitive Data Protection, Control Objective 7 - Use of Cryptography

[26] Standards Mapping - Payment Card Industry Software Security Framework 1.2 Control Objective 6.1 - Sensitive Data Protection, Control Objective 7 - Use of Cryptography

[27] Standards Mapping - Security Technical Implementation Guide Version 3.1 APP3210.1 CAT II, APP3340 CAT I, APP3350 CAT I

[28] Standards Mapping - Security Technical Implementation Guide Version 3.4 APP3210.1 CAT II, APP3340 CAT I, APP3350 CAT I

[29] Standards Mapping - Security Technical Implementation Guide Version 3.5 APP3210.1 CAT II, APP3340 CAT I, APP3350 CAT I

[30] Standards Mapping - Security Technical Implementation Guide Version 3.6 APP3210.1 CAT II, APP3340 CAT I, APP3350 CAT I

[31] Standards Mapping - Security Technical Implementation Guide Version 3.7 APP3210.1 CAT II, APP3340 CAT I, APP3350 CAT I

[32] Standards Mapping - Security Technical Implementation Guide Version 3.9 APP3210.1 CAT II, APP3340 CAT I, APP3350 CAT I

[33] Standards Mapping - Security Technical Implementation Guide Version 3.10 APP3210.1 CAT II, APP3340 CAT I, APP3350 CAT I

[34] Standards Mapping - Security Technical Implementation Guide Version 4.2 APSC-DV-001740 CAT I, APSC-DV-002330 CAT II, APSC-DV-003110 CAT I

[35] Standards Mapping - Security Technical Implementation Guide Version 4.3 APSC-DV-001740 CAT I, APSC-DV-002330 CAT II, APSC-DV-003110 CAT I

[36] Standards Mapping - Security Technical Implementation Guide Version 4.4 APSC-DV-001740 CAT I, APSC-DV-002330 CAT II, APSC-DV-003110 CAT I

[37] Standards Mapping - Security Technical Implementation Guide Version 4.5 APSC-DV-001740 CAT I, APSC-DV-002330 CAT II, APSC-DV-003110 CAT I

[38] Standards Mapping - Security Technical Implementation Guide Version 4.6 APSC-DV-001740 CAT I, APSC-DV-002330 CAT II, APSC-DV-003110 CAT I

[39] Standards Mapping - Security Technical Implementation Guide Version 4.7 APSC-DV-001740 CAT I, APSC-DV-002330 CAT II, APSC-DV-003110 CAT I

[40] Standards Mapping - Security Technical Implementation Guide Version 4.8 APSC-DV-001740 CAT I, APSC-DV-002330 CAT II, APSC-DV-003110 CAT I

[41] Standards Mapping - Security Technical Implementation Guide Version 4.9 APSC-DV-001740 CAT I, APSC-DV-002330 CAT II, APSC-DV-003110 CAT I

[42] Standards Mapping - Security Technical Implementation Guide Version 4.10 APSC-DV-001740 CAT I, APSC-DV-002330 CAT II, APSC-DV-003110 CAT I

[43] Standards Mapping - Security Technical Implementation Guide Version 4.11 APSC-DV-001740 CAT I, APSC-DV-002330 CAT II, APSC-DV-003110 CAT I

[44] Standards Mapping - Security Technical Implementation Guide Version 4.1 APSC-DV-001740 CAT I, APSC-DV-002330 CAT II, APSC-DV-003110 CAT I

[45] Standards Mapping - Security Technical Implementation Guide Version 5.1 APSC-DV-001740 CAT I, APSC-DV-002330 CAT II, APSC-DV-003110 CAT I

[46] Standards Mapping - Security Technical Implementation Guide Version 5.2 APSC-DV-001740 CAT I, APSC-DV-002330 CAT II, APSC-DV-003110 CAT I

[47] Standards Mapping - Security Technical Implementation Guide Version 5.3 APSC-DV-001740 CAT I, APSC-DV-002330 CAT II, APSC-DV-003110 CAT I

[48] Standards Mapping - Security Technical Implementation Guide Version 6.1 APSC-DV-001740 CAT I, APSC-DV-002330 CAT II, APSC-DV-003110 CAT I

[49] Standards Mapping - Web Application Security Consortium Version 2.00 Information Leakage (WASC-13)

[50] Standards Mapping - Web Application Security Consortium 24 + 2 Information Leakage

desc.structural.actionscript.password_management_password_in_comment

Abstract

Storing passwords or password details in plain text anywhere in the system or system code might compromise system security in a way that is not easy to remedy.

Explanation

It is never a good idea to hardcode a password. Storing password details within comments is equivalent to hardcoding passwords. Not only is the password visible to the project's developers, it also makes fixing the problem extremely difficult. After the code is in production, the password is now leaked to the outside world and cannot be protected or changed without patching the software. If the account protected by the password is compromised, the owners of the system must choose between security and availability.

Example 1: The following comment specifies the default password to connect to a database:


...
// Default username for database connection is "scott"
// Default password for database connection is "tiger"
...