CWE-214: Invocation of Process Using Visible Sensitive Information

What is CWE-214?

CWE-214 is Invocation of Process Using Visible Sensitive Information. The flaw arises when 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. The database currently holds 22 vulnerabilities mapped to CWE-214 and none of them are in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

OWASP Top 10 Rank-
Related CVES (365 days)22
AbstractionBase
Likelihood of exploit-

Vulnerabilities mapped to CWE-214

22 vulnerabilities1000% increase year over year

No data

No vulnerability data in CISA KEV for CWE-214

Official definition

ByMitre CWE

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.

Many operating systems allow a user to list information about processes that are owned by other users, possibly including command line arguments or environment variable settings.

Characteristics

Modes of introduction

  • Architecture and Design
  • Implementation: REALIZATION: This weakness is caused during implementation of an architectural security tactic.
  • Operation

Common consequences

ImpactScopeExplanation
Read Application DataConfidentialityWhen this data contains sensitive information such as credentials, it might allow other users to launch an attack against the product or related resources.

Representative vulnerabilities

Below are representative vulnerabilities related to this CWE, prioritized by severity.

Sources (2)
MITRE CWE
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