CWE-315

Introduction

CWE-315: Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information in a Cookie is a common security vulnerability where sensitive data, such as Personally Identifiable Information (PII), is stored in web cookies without adequate protection. This practice can lead to unauthorized access and misuse of sensitive data. This article explores the risks associated with PII exposure through CWE-315 and provides remediation strategies with coding examples in Java, JavaScript, and Python.

Understanding the Risks

Direct Risks

1. Unauthorized Access: If cookies are intercepted, sensitive data can be accessed by unauthorized parties.
2. Session Hijacking: Storing session identifiers in cleartext cookies can lead to session hijacking if the cookies are captured.
3. Identity Theft: Exposure of PII can enable identity theft, allowing attackers to impersonate the victim.

Indirect Risks

1. Reputational Damage: A breach of privacy can damage an organization’s reputation, resulting in loss of customer trust and business.
2. Legal Consequences: Non-compliance with privacy regulations like GDPR or CCPA can lead to legal penalties.
3. Resource Drain: Dealing with breaches and improving security post-incident can consume significant organizational resources.

Remediation Techniques

Effective management of cookies is critical to preventing PII exposure. Strategies include omitting sensitive data from cookies, masking data, and using strong encryption methods to protect any sensitive information that must be stored in cookies.

1. Omitting Data

Avoid storing sensitive data in cookies altogether.

import javax.servlet.http.Cookie;

import javax.servlet.http.HttpServletResponse;

​

public class CookieManager {

    public void createSessionCookie(HttpServletResponse response, String sessionId) {

        Cookie cookie = new Cookie("session", sessionId);

        response.addCookie(cookie);

        // No sensitive PII is stored in the cookie

    }

}

2. Masking Data

If non-sensitive data must be stored in a cookie and there is a need to protect even that, masking can be used.

public class CookieUtility {

    public String maskUserId(String userId) {

        return "user-" + userId.hashCode();

    }

}

3. Encrypting Data

Encrypt any sensitive data before storing it in cookies to protect it from unauthorized access.

import javax.crypto.Cipher;

import javax.crypto.KeyGenerator;

import javax.crypto.SecretKey;

import javax.servlet.http.Cookie;

import javax.servlet.http.HttpServletResponse;

​

public class SecureCookieUtility {

    public void addEncryptedCookie(HttpServletResponse response, String data) throws Exception {

        KeyGenerator keyGen = KeyGenerator.getInstance("AES");

        keyGen.init(128);

        SecretKey secretKey = keyGen.generateKey();

​

        Cipher cipher = Cipher.getInstance("AES");

        cipher.init(Cipher.ENCRYPT_MODE, secretKey);

        byte[] encryptedData = cipher.doFinal(data.getBytes());

​

        Cookie cookie = new Cookie("secureData", java.util.Base64.getEncoder().encodeToString(encryptedData));

        cookie.setHttpOnly(true);

        response.addCookie(cookie);

    }

}

Conclusion

Addressing CWE-315 is essential for securing web applications against data theft and unauthorized access. By implementing the strategies of omitting, masking, and encrypting data in cookies, organizations can significantly enhance their security posture and ensure compliance with relevant data protection regulations. This not only protects the privacy of users but also helps maintain the integrity and trustworthiness of the application.