CWE-533 Variant Deprecated

DEPRECATED: Information Exposure Through Server Log Files

This entry has been deprecated. Its scope was too narrow, focusing on a specific symptom rather than the root cause. Please refer to CWE-532: Insertion of Sensitive Information into Log File for the…

Definition

What is CWE-533?

This entry has been deprecated. Its scope was too narrow, focusing on a specific symptom rather than the root cause. Please refer to CWE-532: Insertion of Sensitive Information into Log File for the current, more comprehensive guidance.
CWE-533 was retired because it described a single, common consequence—data leaks in server logs—without addressing the core vulnerability: the insecure practice of writing sensitive data to logs in the first place. The updated category, CWE-532, provides a broader and more useful framework for developers, covering all instances where secrets like passwords, tokens, or personal data are inadvertently recorded, regardless of the eventual exposure path. For secure development, focus on preventing sensitive information from entering log streams. Implement structured logging, use placeholders for dynamic data, and configure loggers to filter or hash critical values. Always audit your logging code and treat application logs with the same security level as your primary data stores to mitigate this risk effectively.
Real-world impact

Real-world CVEs caused by CWE-533

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-533

  • Architecture Use safe-by-default frameworks and APIs that prevent the unsafe pattern from being expressible.
  • Implementation Validate input at trust boundaries; use allowlists, not denylists.
  • Implementation Apply the principle of least privilege to credentials, file paths, and runtime permissions.
  • Testing Cover this weakness in CI: SAST rules + targeted unit tests for the data flow.
  • Operation Monitor logs for the runtime signals listed in the next section.
Detection signals

How to detect CWE-533

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

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Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

What is CWE-533?

This entry has been deprecated. Its scope was too narrow, focusing on a specific symptom rather than the root cause.

How serious is CWE-533?

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-533?

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

How can I prevent CWE-533?

Use safe-by-default frameworks, validate untrusted input at trust boundaries, and apply the principle of least privilege. Cover the data-flow signature in CI with SAST.

How does Plexicus detect and fix CWE-533?

Plexicus's SAST engine matches the data-flow signature for CWE-533 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-533?

MITRE publishes the canonical definition at https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/533.html. You can also reference OWASP and NIST documentation for adjacent guidance.

Related weaknesses

Weaknesses related to CWE-533

No related weaknesses indexed for this CWE.

Resources

Further reading

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