CWE-522 (不充分的凭证保护机制) — Vulnerability Class 523

CWE-522 represents a critical security weakness where authentication credentials are transmitted or stored using insecure methods, leaving them vulnerable to unauthorized interception or retrieval. Attackers typically exploit this flaw by employing network sniffing tools to capture unencrypted data in transit or by accessing poorly secured local storage to extract plaintext passwords. This exposure allows malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to user accounts, bypassing intended security controls and compromising system integrity. To prevent such vulnerabilities, developers must implement robust cryptographic standards, ensuring that all credentials are encrypted both during transmission via protocols like TLS and while at rest using strong hashing algorithms. Additionally, adhering to the principle of least privilege and regularly auditing authentication mechanisms helps mitigate the risk of credential theft, ensuring that sensitive data remains protected against common interception techniques.