What is Invocation of Process Using Visible (CWE-214)?

TL;DR: Invocation of Process Using Visible Sensitive Information (CWE-214) is a vulnerability where sensitive data is exposed through command-line arguments or environment variables, compromising confidentiality. Fix by securely passing sensitive information.

What is Invocation of Process Using Visible Sensitive Information?

Invocation of Process Using Visible Sensitive Information (CWE-214) is a type of vulnerability that occurs when sensitive information, such as passwords or keys, is passed to a process through command-line arguments or environment variables. As defined by the MITRE Corporation under CWE-214, and classified by the OWASP Foundation under no official mapping…

Quick Summary

Invocation of Process Using Visible Sensitive Information (CWE-214) allows attackers to intercept sensitive information when it is passed via command-line arguments or environment variables. This can lead to unauthorized access to critical data. Jump to: Overview · How It Works · Business Impact · Attack Scenario · Detection · Fixes

Jump to: Quick Summary · Invocation of Process Using Visible Sensitive Information Overview · How Invocation of Process Using Visible Sensitive Information Works · Business Impact of Invocation of Process Using Visible Sensitive Information · Invocation of Process Using Visible Sensitive Information Attack Scenario · How to Detect Invocation of Process Using Visible Sensitive Information · How to Fix Invocation of Process Using Visible Sensitive Information · Framework-Specific Fixes for Invocation of Process Using Visible Sensitive Information · How to Ask AI to Check Your Code for Invocation of Process Using Visible Sensitive Information · Invocation of Process Using Visible Sensitive Information Best Practices Checklist · Invocation of Process Using Visible Sensitive Information FAQ · Vulnerabilities Related to Invocation of Process Using Visible Sensitive Information · References · Scan Your Own Site

Invocation of Process Using Visible Sensitive Information Overview

What

Invocation of Process Using Visible Sensitive Information is a vulnerability where sensitive information, such as passwords or keys, is passed to processes via command-line arguments or environment variables.

Why It Matters

This exposes sensitive data to unauthorized access and can lead to serious security breaches. Attackers may intercept this information for malicious purposes.

Where It Occurs

It occurs in applications that use command-line interfaces or scripts where sensitive data is passed as parameters or stored in environment variables.

Who Is Affected

Developers, system administrators, and users of systems where sensitive information is exposed through command-line arguments or environment variables are at risk.

Who Is NOT Affected

Systems that do not pass sensitive information via command-line arguments or environment variables.

How Invocation of Process Using Visible Sensitive Information Works

Root Cause

Sensitive data passed to processes via command-line arguments or environment variables can be intercepted by other processes on the system.

Attack Flow

1. An attacker monitors command-line arguments and environment variables.
2. The attacker identifies sensitive information being passed to a process.
3. The attacker intercepts the sensitive information for unauthorized access.

   Prerequisites to Exploit

   • Sensitive data must be visible through command-line arguments or environment variables.
   • Other processes on the system must have visibility into these parameters.

     Vulnerable Code

     ```python import os

def run_command(command, args): os.system(f”{command} {args}”)

run_command(“myapp”, “–password=secretpassword”)

This code passes a password as a command-line argument, making it visible to other processes.

### Secure Code
```python
import subprocess

def run_secure_command(command, args):
    with open('/path/to/secure/config', 'r') as file:
        secret = file.read().strip()
    cmd = f"{command} --secret={secret}"
    process = subprocess.Popen(cmd, shell=True)
    process.wait()

run_secure_command("myapp", "")

This code reads the password from a secure configuration file and passes it securely.

Business Impact of Invocation of Process Using Visible Sensitive Information

Confidentiality

Sensitive data can be intercepted by unauthorized processes, leading to data breaches.

• Financial loss due to compromised sensitive information.
• Compliance violations for handling sensitive data improperly.

Invocation of Process Using Visible Sensitive Information Attack Scenario

1. An attacker monitors command-line arguments and environment variables on a system.
2. The attacker identifies an application passing sensitive credentials via command-line arguments.
3. The attacker intercepts the credentials and uses them to gain unauthorized access to resources.

How to Detect Invocation of Process Using Visible Sensitive Information

Manual Testing

• Review code for instances where sensitive data is passed as command-line arguments or environment variables.
• Check if sensitive information is stored in configuration files instead of being exposed via command-line arguments.

  Automated Scanners (SAST / DAST)

  Static analysis can identify potential vulnerabilities by scanning source code for patterns indicative of passing sensitive data through command-line arguments. Dynamic testing requires observing actual process execution to confirm exposure.

  PenScan Detection

  PenScan’s ZAP, Nuclei, Wapiti, Nikto, SSLyze, Dalfox, and Nmap engines help detect instances where sensitive information is passed via command-line arguments or environment variables.

  False Positive Guidance

  A finding may be false positive if the exposed data is not actually sensitive (e.g., a benign configuration flag).

How to Fix Invocation of Process Using Visible Sensitive Information

• Use secure mechanisms such as encrypted channels or secure storage solutions for passing sensitive information.
• Avoid exposing sensitive data through command-line arguments and environment variables.

Framework-Specific Fixes for Invocation of Process Using Visible Sensitive Information

Python/Django

import os

def run_secure_command(command, args):
    with open('/path/to/secure/config', 'r') as file:
        secret = file.read().strip()
    cmd = f"{command} --secret={secret}"
    process = subprocess.Popen(cmd, shell=True)
    process.wait()

run_secure_command("myapp", "")

How to Ask AI to Check Your Code for Invocation of Process Using Visible Sensitive Information

Invocation of Process Using Visible Sensitive Information Best Practices Checklist

✅ Avoid passing sensitive data through command-line arguments. ✅ Use encrypted channels or secure APIs to pass sensitive information securely. ✅ Store sensitive data in a secure configuration file.

Invocation of Process Using Visible Sensitive Information FAQ

How does Invocation of Process Using Visible Sensitive Information occur?

It occurs when sensitive information is passed to a process through command-line arguments or environment variables, making it visible to other processes on the system.

What are the potential impacts of Invocation of Process Using Visible Sensitive Information?

It can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data and compromise confidentiality.

How does an attacker exploit Invocation of Process Using Visible Sensitive Information?

An attacker may monitor command-line arguments or environment variables to intercept sensitive information.

What are the common detection methods for Invocation of Process Using Visible Sensitive Information?

Static analysis can identify instances where sensitive data is passed via command-line arguments or environment variables.

How do you fix Invocation of Process Using Visible Sensitive Information in code?

Use secure mechanisms to pass sensitive information, such as encrypted channels or secure APIs.

What are the best practices for preventing Invocation of Process Using Visible Sensitive Information?

Avoid passing sensitive data through command-line arguments and environment variables; use alternative methods like configuration files or secure storage solutions.

How can you test if your application is vulnerable to Invocation of Process Using Visible Sensitive Information?

Review code for instances where sensitive information is passed via command-line arguments or environment variables.

Vulnerabilities Related to Invocation of Process Using Visible Sensitive Information

| CWE | Name | Relationship | |—|—|—| | CWE-497 | Exposure of Sensitive System Information to an Unauthorized Control Sphere (ChildOf) |

References

• MITRE: CWE-214
• 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 Invocation of Process Using Visible Sensitive Information and other risks before an attacker does.