What is Password in Configuration File (CWE-260)?

TL;DR: Password in Configuration File (CWE-260) is a security misconfiguration vulnerability that occurs when a password is stored in a configuration file. To fix it, avoid storing passwords in easily accessible locations and consider storing cryptographic hashes of passwords.

At-a-Glance Table

What is Password in Configuration File?

Password in Configuration File (CWE-260) is a type of security misconfiguration vulnerability that occurs when a password is stored in a configuration file. As defined by the MITRE Corporation under CWE-260, and classified by the OWASP Foundation under A02:2025 - Security Misconfiguration, this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access and data breaches.

Quick Summary

Password in Configuration File (CWE-260) is a security misconfiguration vulnerability that occurs when a password is stored in a configuration file. This vulnerability can lead to significant financial, compliance, and reputational consequences if left unaddressed. To fix CWE-260, avoid storing passwords in easily accessible locations and consider storing cryptographic hashes of passwords.

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

Password in Configuration File Overview

What: Password in Configuration File (CWE-260) is a type of security misconfiguration vulnerability that occurs when a password is stored in a configuration file.

Why it matters: This vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access and data breaches, resulting in significant financial, compliance, and reputational consequences.

Where it occurs: CWE-260 typically occurs in web applications, web servers, databases, and frameworks (e.g., ASP.NET, Django).

Who is affected: Any organization that stores passwords in configuration files is at risk of CWE-260.

Who is NOT affected: Organizations that do not store passwords in configuration files are not at risk of CWE-260.

How Password in Configuration File Works

Root Cause

CWE-260 occurs when a password is stored in a configuration file.

Attack Flow

1. An attacker gains access to the configuration file.
2. The attacker extracts the password from the configuration file.
3. The attacker uses the extracted password to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or systems.

Prerequisites to Exploit

• The configuration file must be accessible to the attacker.
• The password must be stored in plain text within the configuration file.

Vulnerable Code

config = {
    'password': 'mysecretpassword'
}

The vulnerable code above stores a password in plain text within a configuration dictionary. This is a common mistake that can lead to CWE-260.

Secure Code

import hashlib

def hash_password(password):
    return hashlib.sha256(password.encode()).hexdigest()

config = {
    'password': hash_password('mysecretpassword')
}

The secure code above uses a cryptographic hash function (SHA-256) to store the password securely. This is an example of how to prevent CWE-260.

Business Impact of Password in Configuration File

Confidentiality: Unauthorized access to sensitive data can lead to confidentiality breaches, resulting in financial losses and reputational damage.

Integrity: Unauthorized modifications to sensitive data can lead to integrity breaches, resulting in financial losses and reputational damage.

Availability: CWE-260 can also lead to availability breaches, resulting in downtime and financial losses.

Password in Configuration File Attack Scenario

1. An attacker gains access to the configuration file.
2. The attacker extracts the password from the configuration file.
3. The attacker uses the extracted password to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or systems.

How to Detect Password in Configuration File

Manual Testing

• Review configuration files for stored passwords.
• Use a code review tool to identify potential vulnerabilities.

Automated Scanners (SAST/DAST)

• Use an automated scanner to detect CWE-260.
• Note that static analysis may not catch all instances of CWE-260, as dynamic testing is required to detect this vulnerability.

PenScan Detection

PenScan’s scanner engines actively test for CWE-260.

False Positive Guidance

• Be cautious when reviewing configuration files, as some passwords may be stored securely.
• Use a code review tool to identify potential vulnerabilities and reduce false positives.

How to Fix Password in Configuration File

• Avoid storing passwords in easily accessible locations.
• Consider storing cryptographic hashes of passwords instead of plain text.

Framework-Specific Fixes for Password in Configuration File

ASP.NET

• Use Protected Configuration to store sensitive data securely.

<configuration>
  <protectedConfiguration>
    <add key="password" value="mysecretpassword"/>
  </protectedConfiguration>
</configuration>

Django

• Use a secure password storage mechanism, such as Argon2.

from argon2 import PasswordHasher

ph = PasswordHasher()

config = {
    'password': ph.hash('mysecretpassword')
}

How to Ask AI to Check Your Code for Password in Configuration File

Review the following Python code block for potential CWE-260 Password in Configuration File vulnerabilities and rewrite it using secure password storage mechanisms:

import hashlib

def hash_password(password):
    return hashlib.sha256(password.encode()).hexdigest()

config = {
    'password': hash_password('mysecretpassword')
}

Password in Configuration File Best Practices Checklist

✅ Avoid storing passwords in easily accessible locations. ✅ Consider storing cryptographic hashes of passwords instead of plain text. ✅ Use a secure password storage mechanism, such as Argon2. ✅ Regularly review and update configuration files to ensure security.

Password in Configuration File FAQ

How does Password in Configuration File occur?

Password in Configuration File occurs when a password is stored in a configuration file that might be accessible to actors who do not know the password.

What are the common consequences of CWE-260?

The common consequences of CWE-260 include gain of privileges or assume identity, which can lead to unauthorized access and data breaches.

How can I prevent CWE-260?

To prevent CWE-260, avoid storing passwords in easily accessible locations. Consider storing cryptographic hashes of passwords as an alternative to storing them in plaintext.

What are the related weaknesses to CWE-260?

The related weakness to CWE-260 is CWE-522, Insufficiently Protected Credentials (ChildOf).

How can I detect CWE-260?

You can detect CWE-260 by using manual testing and automated scanners. PenScan’s scanner engines also actively test for this issue.

What are the framework-specific fixes for CWE-260?

The framework-specific fixes for CWE-260 depend on the specific technology or platform being used. For example, in ASP.NET, you can use Protected Configuration to store sensitive data securely.

How can I ask AI to check my code for CWE-260?

You can ask an AI coding assistant to review your code and rewrite it using a primary fix technique such as storing cryptographic hashes of passwords.

What are the best practices for preventing CWE-260?

The best practices for preventing CWE-260 include verifying return values, testing your code, and using an allowlist to restrict access to sensitive data.

Vulnerabilities Related to Password in Configuration File

References

• MITRE CWE-260
• OWASP A02:2025 - Security Misconfiguration
• 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 Password in Configuration File and other risks before an attacker does.