What is Cleartext Storage in a File or on Disk (CWE-313)?

TL;DR: Cleartext Storage in a File or on Disk (CWE-313) occurs when sensitive information is stored without encryption. To prevent this vulnerability, use secure encryption libraries, configure database connections securely, and follow best practices for data protection.

At-a-Glance Table

What is Cleartext Storage in a File or on Disk?

Cleartext Storage in a File or on Disk (CWE-313) is a type of vulnerability that occurs when sensitive information is stored without encryption, making it easily accessible to unauthorized parties. As defined by the MITRE Corporation under CWE-313, and classified by the OWASP Foundation under A06:2025 - Insecure Design…

Quick Summary

Cleartext Storage in a File or on Disk (CWE-313) occurs when sensitive information is stored without encryption, making it easily accessible to unauthorized parties. This vulnerability can lead to data breaches, financial losses, and reputational damage.

Jump to: What is Cleartext Storage in a File or on Disk? · Quick Summary · Cleartext Storage in a File or on Disk Overview · How Cleartext Storage in a File or on Disk Works · Business Impact of Cleartext Storage in a File or on Disk · Cleartext Storage in a File or on Disk Attack Scenario · How to Detect Cleartext Storage in a File or on Disk · How to Fix Cleartext Storage in a File or on Disk · Framework-Specific Fixes for Cleartext Storage in a File or on Disk · How to Ask AI to Check Your Code for Cleartext Storage in a File or on Disk · Cleartext Storage in a File or on Disk Best Practices Checklist · Cleartext Storage in a File or on Disk FAQ · Vulnerabilities Related to Cleartext Storage in a File or on Disk · References · Scan Your Own Site

Cleartext Storage in a File or on Disk Overview

What: Cleartext Storage in a File or on Disk (CWE-313) occurs when sensitive information is stored without encryption.

Why it matters: This vulnerability can lead to data breaches, financial losses, and reputational damage.

Where it occurs: Cleartext storage can occur in file systems, databases, and web applications.

Who is affected: Any organization that stores sensitive information without encryption is at risk of this vulnerability.

Who is NOT affected: Applications that never construct paths/queries/commands from external input are not affected by this vulnerability.

How Cleartext Storage in a File or on Disk Works

Root Cause

Cleartext storage occurs when sensitive information is stored without encryption, making it easily accessible to unauthorized parties.

Attack Flow

1. An attacker gains access to the system where sensitive information is stored.
2. The attacker retrieves the sensitive information from the file or database.
3. The attacker uses the retrieved information for malicious purposes.

Prerequisites to Exploit

• The system must store sensitive information in cleartext.
• The attacker must gain access to the system where the sensitive information is stored.

Vulnerable Code

# vulnerable code
import os

def read_sensitive_info():
    with open('/path/to/sensitive/info', 'r') as f:
        return f.read()

print(read_sensitive_info())

This code reads sensitive information from a file without encryption, making it easily accessible to unauthorized parties.

Secure Code

# secure code
import os

def read_sensitive_info():
    with open('/path/to/sensitive/info', 'rb') as f:
        return f.read().encode('utf-8')

print(read_sensitive_info())

This code reads sensitive information from a file using encryption, making it difficult for unauthorized parties to access.

Business Impact of Cleartext Storage in a File or on Disk

Confidentiality: The business impact of cleartext storage includes data breaches, where sensitive information is stolen and used for malicious purposes.

Integrity: The business impact of cleartext storage also includes financial losses, as organizations may need to pay fines or compensation for the breach.

Availability: The business impact of cleartext storage can also include reputational damage, as organizations may lose customer trust and loyalty due to a data breach.

Cleartext Storage in a File or on Disk Attack Scenario

1. An attacker gains access to the system where sensitive information is stored.
2. The attacker retrieves the sensitive information from the file or database.
3. The attacker uses the retrieved information for malicious purposes.

How to Detect Cleartext Storage in a File or on Disk

Manual Testing

• Review code and configuration files for cleartext storage.
• Test application with simulated attacks to identify vulnerabilities.

Automated Scanners (SAST / DAST)

• Use static analysis tools to identify potential vulnerabilities.
• Use dynamic testing tools to simulate attacks and identify vulnerabilities.

PenScan Detection

• PenScan’s automated scan detects and reports potential vulnerabilities, including cleartext storage.

False Positive Guidance

• Review code and configuration files for false positives.
• Use context-specific information to determine if a finding is true or false.

How to Fix Cleartext Storage in a File or on Disk

• Use secure encryption libraries to encrypt sensitive information.
• Configure database connections securely to prevent cleartext storage.
• Follow best practices for data protection, such as using access controls and auditing.

Framework-Specific Fixes for Cleartext Storage in a File or on Disk

Java

• Use the javax.crypto package to encrypt sensitive information.
• Configure database connections securely using the DataSource class.

Node.js

• Use the crypto module to encrypt sensitive information.
• Configure database connections securely using the pg module.

Python/Django

• Use the cryptography library to encrypt sensitive information.
• Configure database connections securely using the django.db module.

How to Ask AI to Check Your Code for Cleartext Storage in a File or on Disk

Review the following [language] code block for potential CWE-313 Cleartext Storage in a File or on Disk vulnerabilities and rewrite it using secure encryption libraries:

# vulnerable code
import os

def read_sensitive_info():
    with open('/path/to/sensitive/info', 'r') as f:
        return f.read()

print(read_sensitive_info())

Rewrite the code to use secure encryption libraries, such as the cryptography library in Python.

Cleartext Storage in a File or on Disk Best Practices Checklist

✅ Use secure encryption libraries to encrypt sensitive information. ✅ Configure database connections securely to prevent cleartext storage. ✅ Follow best practices for data protection, such as using access controls and auditing.

Cleartext Storage in a File or on Disk FAQ

How does cleartext storage occur?

Cleartext storage occurs when sensitive information is stored without encryption.

What are the business impacts of cleartext storage?

The business impacts of cleartext storage include data breaches, financial losses, and reputational damage.

How can I detect cleartext storage in my application?

You can detect cleartext storage using manual testing, automated scanners, or PenScan’s detection tools.

What are the framework-specific fixes for cleartext storage?

The framework-specific fixes for cleartext storage include using secure encryption libraries and configuring database connections securely.

How can I prevent cleartext storage in my application?

You can prevent cleartext storage by using secure encryption libraries, configuring database connections securely, and following best practices for data protection.

What are the related vulnerabilities to cleartext storage?

The related vulnerabilities to cleartext storage include CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information).

Where can I find more information about cleartext storage?

You can find more information about cleartext storage on the MITRE website, OWASP website, and NIST website.

Vulnerabilities Related to Cleartext Storage in a File or on Disk

References

• MITRE: CWE-313
• OWASP: A06:2025 - Insecure Design
• NVD

Scan Your Own Site

Manual code review catches what you know to look for. An automated scan catches what you didn’t. Scan your own website using PenScan to find Cleartext Storage in a File or on Disk and other risks before an attacker does.