CWE-524 Base Incomplete

Use of Cache Containing Sensitive Information

This vulnerability occurs when an application stores sensitive data in a cache that is accessible to unauthorized users or external systems.

Definition

What is CWE-524?

This vulnerability occurs when an application stores sensitive data in a cache that is accessible to unauthorized users or external systems.
Caches are used to boost performance by temporarily storing resources like database connections, session data, passwords, or computed results. However, if this cache is misconfigured or placed in an insecure location—such as a shared memory space or an externally readable directory—attackers can directly access it and steal the sensitive information it contains. Managing this at scale is difficult; an ASPM like Plexicus can help you track and remediate these flaws across your entire stack. While SAST tools can detect insecure cache configurations, Plexicus uses AI to analyze context and suggest specific, actionable fixes—such as implementing proper access controls or moving the cache to a secure, isolated location—saving hours of manual investigation and repair work.
Real-world impact

Real-world CVEs caused by CWE-524

No public CVE references are linked to this CWE in MITRE's catalog yet.

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-524

  • Architecture and Design Protect information stored in cache.
  • Architecture and Design Do not store unnecessarily sensitive information in the cache.
  • Architecture and Design Consider using encryption in the cache.
Detection signals

How to detect CWE-524

Automated Static Analysis High

Automated static analysis, commonly referred to as Static Application Security Testing (SAST), can find some instances of this weakness by analyzing source code (or binary/compiled code) without having to execute it. Typically, this is done by building a model of data flow and control flow, then searching for potentially-vulnerable patterns that connect "sources" (origins of input) with "sinks" (destinations where the data interacts with external components, a lower layer such as the OS, etc.)

Plexicus auto-fix

Plexicus auto-detects CWE-524 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-524?

This vulnerability occurs when an application stores sensitive data in a cache that is accessible to unauthorized users or external systems.

How serious is CWE-524?

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-524?

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

How can I prevent CWE-524?

Protect information stored in cache. Do not store unnecessarily sensitive information in the cache.

How does Plexicus detect and fix CWE-524?

Plexicus's SAST engine matches the data-flow signature for CWE-524 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-524?

MITRE publishes the canonical definition at https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/524.html. You can also reference OWASP and NIST documentation for adjacent guidance.

Related weaknesses

Weaknesses related to CWE-524

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CWE-134 Sibling

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CWE-200 Sibling

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CWE-374 Sibling

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Resources

Further reading

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