CWE-1392 Base Incomplete

Use of Default Credentials

This vulnerability occurs when a system, device, or application relies on pre-configured, publicly known credentials like passwords or encryption keys for access to critical functions.

Definition

What is CWE-1392?

This vulnerability occurs when a system, device, or application relies on pre-configured, publicly known credentials like passwords or encryption keys for access to critical functions.
Manufacturers and developers often ship products with default usernames and passwords to simplify initial setup and deployment. While convenient, this practice creates a major security risk if these defaults are not changed, as they are often documented in manuals or easily found online, providing a universal key for attackers. For developers and system administrators, the core issue is assuming defaults will be changed. Attackers exploit this by scanning for devices or software using these well-known credentials, allowing rapid, unauthorized access across many installations. To prevent this, systems must enforce credential changes on first use or require unique credentials generated during setup.
Real-world impact

Real-world CVEs caused by CWE-1392

  • CVE-2022-30270

    Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) uses default credentials for some SSH accounts

  • CVE-2021-41192

    data visualization/sharing package uses default secret keys or cookie values if they are not specified in environment variables

  • CVE-2021-38759

    microcontroller board has default password

  • CVE-2018-3825

    cloud cluster management product has a default master encryption key

  • CVE-2010-2306

    Intrusion Detection System (IDS) uses the same static, private SSL keys for multiple devices and installations, allowing decryption of SSL traffic

How attackers exploit it

Step-by-step attacker path

  1. 1

    Identify a code path that handles untrusted input without validation.

  2. 2

    Craft a payload that exercises the unsafe behavior — injection, traversal, overflow, or logic abuse.

  3. 3

    Deliver the payload through a normal request and observe the application's reaction.

  4. 4

    Iterate until the response leaks data, executes attacker code, or escalates privileges.

Vulnerable code example

Vulnerable pseudo

MITRE has not published a code example for this CWE. The pattern below is illustrative — see Resources for canonical references.

Vulnerable pseudo 
// Example pattern — see MITRE for the canonical references.
function handleRequest(input) {
  // Untrusted input flows directly into the sensitive sink.
  return executeUnsafe(input);
}
Secure code example

Secure pseudo

Secure pseudo 
// Validate, sanitize, or use a safe API before reaching the sink.
function handleRequest(input) {
  const safe = validateAndEscape(input);
  return executeWithGuards(safe);
}
What changed: the unsafe sink is replaced (or the input is validated/escaped) so the same payload no longer triggers the weakness.
Prevention checklist

How to prevent CWE-1392

  • Requirements Prohibit use of default, hard-coded, or other values that do not vary for each installation of the product - especially for separate organizations.
  • Architecture and Design Force the administrator to change the credential upon installation.
  • Installation / Operation The product administrator could change the defaults upon installation or during operation.
Detection signals

How to detect CWE-1392

SAST High

Run static analysis (SAST) on the codebase looking for the unsafe pattern in the data flow.

DAST Moderate

Run dynamic application security testing against the live endpoint.

Runtime Moderate

Watch runtime logs for unusual exception traces, malformed input, or authorization bypass attempts.

Code review Moderate

Code review: flag any new code that handles input from this surface without using the validated framework helpers.

Plexicus auto-fix

Plexicus auto-detects CWE-1392 and opens a fix PR in under 60 seconds.

Codex Remedium scans every commit, identifies this exact weakness, and ships a reviewer-ready pull request with the patch. No tickets. No hand-offs.

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Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

What is CWE-1392?

This vulnerability occurs when a system, device, or application relies on pre-configured, publicly known credentials like passwords or encryption keys for access to critical functions.

How serious is CWE-1392?

MITRE has not published a likelihood-of-exploit rating for this weakness. Treat it as medium-impact until your threat model proves otherwise.

What languages or platforms are affected by CWE-1392?

MITRE lists the following affected platforms: Not OS-Specific, Not Architecture-Specific, ICS/OT, Not Technology-Specific.

How can I prevent CWE-1392?

Prohibit use of default, hard-coded, or other values that do not vary for each installation of the product - especially for separate organizations. Force the administrator to change the credential upon installation.

How does Plexicus detect and fix CWE-1392?

Plexicus's SAST engine matches the data-flow signature for CWE-1392 on every commit. When a match is found, our Codex Remedium agent opens a fix PR with the corrected code, tests, and a one-line summary for the reviewer.

Where can I learn more about CWE-1392?

MITRE publishes the canonical definition at https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/1392.html. You can also reference OWASP and NIST documentation for adjacent guidance.

Related weaknesses

Weaknesses related to CWE-1392

CWE-1391 Parent

Use of Weak Credentials

This vulnerability occurs when a system relies on weak authentication credentials—like default passwords, hard-coded keys, or easily…

CWE-521 Sibling

Weak Password Requirements

This vulnerability occurs when an application fails to enforce strong password policies, making user accounts easier to compromise through…

CWE-798 Sibling

Use of Hard-coded Credentials

This vulnerability occurs when software contains built-in, unchangeable authentication secrets like passwords or encryption keys within…

CWE-1393 Child

Use of Default Password

This vulnerability occurs when a system or device uses a pre-configured, publicly known password for authentication, often for…

CWE-1394 Child

Use of Default Cryptographic Key

This vulnerability occurs when a system uses a pre-configured, publicly known cryptographic key for security-critical operations instead…

Resources

Further reading

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