CWE-541

Variant Abstraction Level
Pillar — Highest-level weakness category
Class — Abstract, language-independent
Base — Specific enough to detect
Variant — Tied to specific technology
Compound — Requires multiple weaknesses Incomplete MITRE CWE Status
Stable — Fully reviewed and complete
Draft — Under development, may change
Incomplete — Partially defined by MITRE
Deprecated — No longer recommended
Obsolete — Replaced by another CWE
Inclusion of Sensitive Information in an Include File

Description

If an include file source is accessible, the file can contain usernames and passwords, as well as sensitive information pertaining to the application and system.

Consequences

Confidentiality — Read Application Data

Mitigations

Phase: Architecture and Design

Do not store sensitive information in include files.

Phase: Architecture and Design, System Configuration

Protect include files from being exposed.