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CWE-214 - Invocation of Process Using Visible Sensitive Information

  • Abstraction:Base
  • Structure:Simple
  • Status:Incomplete
  • Release Date:2006-07-19
  • Latest Modification Date:2023-06-29

Weakness Name

Invocation of Process Using Visible Sensitive Information

Description

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. 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.

Common Consequences

Scope: Confidentiality

Impact: Read Application Data

Related Weaknesses

CWE-497Exposure of Sensitive System Information to an Unauthorized Control Sphere