What is CWE-522?
The product transmits or stores authentication credentials, but it uses an insecure method that is susceptible to unauthorized interception and/or retrieval.
Analyzing data...
CWE-522: Insufficiently Protected Credentials
Data statistics
OWASP TOP 10:2025 RANK6 — A06:2025 — Insecure Design
RELATED CVES (365 DAYS)126
ABSTRACTIONClass
Vulnerabilities mapped to CWE-522
126 vulnerabilities404% increase year over year
Vulnerabilities in CISA KEV for CWE-522
0 vulnerabilities
The product transmits or stores authentication credentials, but it uses an insecure method that is susceptible to unauthorized interception and/or retrieval.
Characteristics
Modes of introduction
- Architecture and Design: COMMISSION: This weakness refers to an incorrect design related to an architectural security tactic.
- Implementation
Common consequences
| Impact | Scope | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Gain Privileges or Assume Identity | Access Control | An attacker could gain access to user accounts and access sensitive data used by the user accounts. |
Risk mitigations
- Architecture and DesignUse an appropriate security mechanism to protect the credentials.
- Architecture and DesignMake appropriate use of cryptography to protect the credentials.
- ImplementationUse industry standards to protect the credentials (e.g. LDAP, keystore, etc.).
Detection methods
| Method | Approach | Effectiveness |
|---|---|---|
| Automated Static Analysis | Automated static analysis, commonly referred to as Static Application Security Testing (SAST), can find some instances of this weakness by analyzing source code (or binary/compiled code) without having to execute it. Typically, this is done by building a model of data flow and control flow, then searching for potentially-vulnerable patterns that connect "sources" (origins of input) with "sinks" (destinations where the data interacts with external components, a lower layer such as the OS, etc.) | High |
Representative vulnerabilities
Below are representative vulnerabilities related to this CWE, prioritized by severity.
Sources (3)
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