ABSTRACT

Hardcoded passwords could compromise system security in a way that cannot be easily remedied.

EXPLANATION

It is never a good idea to hardcode a password. Not only does hardcoding a password allow all of the project's developers to view the password, it also makes fixing the problem extremely difficult. Once the code is in production, the password cannot be changed without patching the software. If the account protected by the password is compromised, the owners of the system will be forced to choose between security and availability.


Example: The following code hardcodes a password:


pwd = "tiger"
...
response.writeln("Password:" + pwd)
?>


This code will run successfully, but anyone who has access to it will have access to the password. Once the program has shipped, there is no going back from a password of "tiger" unless the program is patched. A devious employee with access to this information can use it to break into the system. Even worse, if attackers have access to the binary for an application, they can use one of many publicly available decompilers to access the disassembled code, which will contain the values of the passwords used.

REFERENCES

[1] Standards Mapping - OWASP Top 10 2010 - (OWASP 2010) A7 Insecure Cryptographic Storage

[2] Standards Mapping - OWASP Top 10 2007 - (OWASP 2007) A8 Insecure Cryptographic Storage

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

[4] Standards Mapping - Security Technical Implementation Guide Version 3 - (STIG 3) APP3210.1 CAT II, APP3340 CAT I, APP3350 CAT I

[5] Standards Mapping - Common Weakness Enumeration - (CWE) CWE ID 259, CWE ID 798

[6] Standards Mapping - FIPS200 - (FISMA) IA

[7] Standards Mapping - SANS Top 25 2009 - (SANS 2009) Porous Defenses - CWE ID 259

[8] Standards Mapping - SANS Top 25 2010 - (SANS 2010) Porous Defenses - CWE ID 798

[9] Standards Mapping - Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard Version 1.2 - (PCI 1.2) Requirement 3.4, Requirement 6.3.1.3, Requirement 6.5.8, Requirement 8.4

[10] Standards Mapping - Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard Version 2.0 - (PCI 2.0) Requirement 3.4, Requirement 6.5.3, Requirement 8.4

[11] Standards Mapping - Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard Version 1.1 - (PCI 1.1) Requirement 3.4, Requirement 6.5.8, Requirement 8.4