CWE-258 Variant Incomplete High likelihood

Empty Password in Configuration File

This vulnerability occurs when a configuration file, script, or application uses an empty string as a password, effectively disabling authentication for a service or account.

Definition

What is CWE-258?

This vulnerability occurs when a configuration file, script, or application uses an empty string as a password, effectively disabling authentication for a service or account.
Using a blank password is a critical security misconfiguration that leaves systems wide open to attack. It bypasses the fundamental purpose of authentication, allowing anyone with network or local access to log in without needing to guess or crack a password. This is often the result of oversight during deployment, automated scripting errors, or reliance on default configurations that are never properly secured. To prevent this, developers and system administrators must enforce policies that reject empty passwords during configuration and setup. Automated security scanning tools should flag empty credential fields, and all deployment processes must include a verification step to ensure strong, unique passwords are set for all accounts and services before they go into production.
Real-world impact

Real-world CVEs caused by CWE-258

  • CVE-2022-26117

    Network access control (NAC) product has a configuration file with an empty password

How attackers exploit it

Step-by-step attacker path

  1. 1

    The following examples show a portion of properties and configuration files for Java and ASP.NET applications. The files include username and password information but the password is provided as an empty string.

  2. 2

    This Java example shows a properties file with an empty password string.

  3. 3

    The following example shows a portion of a configuration file for an ASP.Net application. This configuration file includes username and password information for a connection to a database and the password is provided as an empty string.

  4. 4

    An empty string should never be used as a password as this can allow unauthorized access to the application. Username and password information should not be included in a configuration file or a properties file in clear text. If possible, encrypt this information and avoid CWE-260 and CWE-13.

Vulnerable code example

Vulnerable Java

This Java example shows a properties file with an empty password string.

Vulnerable Java 
```
# Java Web App ResourceBundle properties file* 
  ...
  webapp.ldap.username=secretUsername
  webapp.ldap.password=
  ...
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-258

  • System Configuration Passwords should be at least eight characters long -- the longer the better. Avoid passwords that are in any way similar to other passwords you have. Avoid using words that may be found in a dictionary, names book, on a map, etc. Consider incorporating numbers and/or punctuation into your password. If you do use common words, consider replacing letters in that word with numbers and punctuation. However, do not use "similar-looking" punctuation. For example, it is not a good idea to change cat to c@t, ca+, (@+, or anything similar. Finally, it is never appropriate to use an empty string as a password.
Detection signals

How to detect CWE-258

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-258 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-258?

This vulnerability occurs when a configuration file, script, or application uses an empty string as a password, effectively disabling authentication for a service or account.

How serious is CWE-258?

MITRE rates the likelihood of exploit as High — this weakness is actively exploited in the wild and should be prioritized for remediation.

What languages or platforms are affected by CWE-258?

MITRE has not specified affected platforms for this CWE — it can apply across most application stacks.

How can I prevent CWE-258?

Passwords should be at least eight characters long -- the longer the better. Avoid passwords that are in any way similar to other passwords you have. Avoid using words that may be found in a dictionary, names book, on a map, etc. Consider incorporating numbers and/or punctuation into your password. If you do use common words, consider replacing letters in that word with numbers and punctuation. However, do not use "similar-looking" punctuation. For example, it is not a good idea to change cat…

How does Plexicus detect and fix CWE-258?

Plexicus's SAST engine matches the data-flow signature for CWE-258 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-258?

MITRE publishes the canonical definition at https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/258.html. You can also reference OWASP and NIST documentation for adjacent guidance.

Related weaknesses

Weaknesses related to CWE-258

CWE-260 Parent

Password in Configuration File

This vulnerability occurs when an application stores sensitive passwords directly within a configuration file, making them easily readable…

CWE-13 Sibling

ASP.NET Misconfiguration: Password in Configuration File

This vulnerability occurs when an ASP.NET application stores passwords or other sensitive credentials in plaintext within configuration…

CWE-555 Sibling

J2EE Misconfiguration: Plaintext Password in Configuration File

A J2EE application insecurely stores an unprotected password within a configuration file.

Resources

Further reading

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