Storage of File with Sensitive Data Under Web Root

The product stores sensitive data under the web document root with insufficient access control, which might make it accessible to untrusted parties.

Abstraction

Variant

Structure

Simple

Likelihood of Exploit

Medium

Understand the problem

What is the problem?

The product stores sensitive data under the web document root with insufficient access control, which might make it accessible to untrusted parties.

Extended description

Besides public-facing web pages and code, products may store sensitive data, code that is not directly invoked, or other files under the web document root of the web server. If the server is not configured or otherwise used to prevent direct access to those files, then attackers may obtain this sensitive data.

Root cause

How and when does the problem arise?

Lifecycle phase

Operation

COMMISSION: This weakness refers to an incorrect design related to an architectural security tactic.

Lifecycle phase

Implementation

COMMISSION: This weakness refers to an incorrect design related to an architectural security tactic.

Risk

What does successful exploitation lead to?

Read Application Data

Affected security scopes: Confidentiality

Defence

How is it prevented and fixed?

Implementation · System Configuration

Defence to apply across several lifecycle phases

Detail

Avoid storing information under the web root directory.

System Configuration

Secure configuration approach

Detail

Access control permissions should be set to prevent reading/writing of sensitive files inside/outside of the web directory.