CWE-528 Variant Draft

Exposure of Core Dump File to an Unauthorized Control Sphere

This vulnerability occurs when an application creates a core dump file (a snapshot of memory at the time of a crash) and places it in a location accessible to unauthorized users or systems.

Definition

What is CWE-528?

This vulnerability occurs when an application creates a core dump file (a snapshot of memory at the time of a crash) and places it in a location accessible to unauthorized users or systems.
Core dump files are generated when a program crashes, capturing a detailed snapshot of its process memory. This snapshot often contains highly sensitive information like encryption keys, passwords, user session data, and proprietary application logic. If this file is written to a web-accessible directory, a shared network location, or is included in log archives, it becomes a prime target for attackers seeking to bypass security controls and extract secrets. To prevent this, developers should configure their applications and operating systems to disable core dumps in production environments or restrict them to secure, isolated directories with strict access controls. For containerized or cloud deployments, ensure crash-handling settings do not write dumps to ephemeral or publicly mounted storage. Regular security scans should also be configured to detect and alert on the presence of these sensitive files in unauthorized locations.
Real-world impact

Real-world CVEs caused by CWE-528

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-528

  • System Configuration Protect the core dump files from unauthorized access.
Detection signals

How to detect CWE-528

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

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Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

What is CWE-528?

This vulnerability occurs when an application creates a core dump file (a snapshot of memory at the time of a crash) and places it in a location accessible to unauthorized users or systems.

How serious is CWE-528?

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-528?

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

How can I prevent CWE-528?

Protect the core dump files from unauthorized access.

How does Plexicus detect and fix CWE-528?

Plexicus's SAST engine matches the data-flow signature for CWE-528 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-528?

MITRE publishes the canonical definition at https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/528.html. You can also reference OWASP and NIST documentation for adjacent guidance.

Related weaknesses

Weaknesses related to CWE-528

CWE-552 Parent

Files or Directories Accessible to External Parties

This vulnerability occurs when an application exposes files or directories to users who shouldn't have access to them.

CWE-219 Sibling

Storage of File with Sensitive Data Under Web Root

This vulnerability occurs when an application saves sensitive files, such as configuration data or private keys, inside the web server's…

CWE-220 Sibling

Storage of File With Sensitive Data Under FTP Root

This vulnerability occurs when an application saves sensitive files, such as configuration or user data, within the directory served by an…

CWE-527 Sibling

Exposure of Version-Control Repository to an Unauthorized Control Sphere

This vulnerability occurs when a version control repository, like Git or SVN, is accidentally placed in a location accessible to…

CWE-529 Sibling

Exposure of Access Control List Files to an Unauthorized Control Sphere

This vulnerability occurs when an application stores sensitive access control list (ACL) files in a location that is accessible to…

CWE-530 Sibling

Exposure of Backup File to an Unauthorized Control Sphere

This vulnerability occurs when backup or temporary files are stored in locations that unauthorized users can access, such as web…

CWE-539 Sibling

Use of Persistent Cookies Containing Sensitive Information

This vulnerability occurs when a web application stores sensitive data, like authentication details or personal information, within…

CWE-553 Sibling

Command Shell in Externally Accessible Directory

This vulnerability occurs when a command shell script is placed in a web-accessible directory, such as /cgi-bin/. Attackers can directly…

Resources

Further reading

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