CWE-214
Invocation of Process Using Visible Sensitive Information
Incomplete
2006-07-19
00h00 +00:00
00h00 +00:00
2023-06-29
00h00 +00:00
00h00 +00:00
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Name: Invocation of Process Using Visible Sensitive Information
A process is invoked with sensitive command-line arguments, environment variables, or other elements that can be seen by other processes on the operating system.
CWE Description
Many operating systems allow a user to list information about processes that are owned by other users. Other users could see information such as command line arguments or environment variable settings. When this data contains sensitive information such as credentials, it might allow other users to launch an attack against the product or related resources.
General Informations
Modes Of Introduction
Architecture and DesignImplementation : REALIZATION: This weakness is caused during implementation of an architectural security tactic.
Operation
Applicable Platforms
Language
Class: Not Language-Specific (Undetermined)Common Consequences
| Scope | Impact | Likelihood |
|---|---|---|
| Confidentiality | Read Application Data |
Observed Examples
| References | Description |
|---|---|
CVE-2005-1387 | password passed on command line |
CVE-2005-2291 | password passed on command line |
CVE-2001-1565 | username/password on command line allows local users to view via "ps" or other process listing programs |
CVE-2004-1948 | Username/password on command line allows local users to view via "ps" or other process listing programs. |
CVE-1999-1270 | PGP passphrase provided as command line argument. |
CVE-2004-1058 | Kernel race condition allows reading of environment variables of a process that is still spawning. |
CVE-2021-32638 | Code analysis product passes access tokens as a command-line parameter or through an environment variable, making them visible to other processes via the ps command. |
Vulnerability Mapping Notes
Justification : This CWE entry is at the Base level of abstraction, which is a preferred level of abstraction for mapping to the root causes of vulnerabilities.Comment : Carefully read both the name and description to ensure that this mapping is an appropriate fit. Do not try to 'force' a mapping to a lower-level Base/Variant simply to comply with this preferred level of abstraction.
NotesNotes
Under-studied, especially environment variables.Submission
| Name | Organization | Date | Date release | Version |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLOVER | Draft 3 |
Modifications
| Name | Organization | Date | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sean Eidemiller | Cigital | added/updated demonstrative examples | |
| Eric Dalci | Cigital | updated Time_of_Introduction | |
| CWE Content Team | MITRE | updated Relationships, Taxonomy_Mappings | |
| CWE Content Team | MITRE | updated Description, Other_Notes | |
| CWE Content Team | MITRE | updated Other_Notes | |
| CWE Content Team | MITRE | updated Name | |
| CWE Content Team | MITRE | updated Common_Consequences | |
| CWE Content Team | MITRE | updated Relationships | |
| CWE Content Team | MITRE | updated Potential_Mitigations | |
| CWE Content Team | MITRE | updated Demonstrative_Examples, Relationships, Taxonomy_Mappings | |
| CWE Content Team | MITRE | updated Applicable_Platforms, Modes_of_Introduction, Relationships | |
| CWE Content Team | MITRE | updated Description, Name, Relationships, Type | |
| CWE Content Team | MITRE | updated Description, Observed_Examples, Relationships | |
| CWE Content Team | MITRE | updated Relationships | |
| CWE Content Team | MITRE | updated Mapping_Notes |
