Exposure of Backup File to an Unauthorized Control Sphere
Weakness ID: 530 (Weakness Variant)Status: Incomplete
+ Description

Description Summary

A backup file is stored in a directory that is accessible to actors outside of the intended control sphere.

Extended Description

Often, old files are renamed with an extension such as .~bk to distinguish them from production files. The source code for old files that have been renamed in this manner and left in the webroot can often be retrieved. This renaming may have been performed automatically by the web server, or manually by the administrator.

+ Time of Introduction
  • Implementation
  • Operation
+ Common Consequences
ScopeEffect
Confidentiality

At a minimum, an attacker who retrieves this file would have all the information contained in it, whether that be database calls, the format of parameters accepted by the application, or simply information regarding the architectural structure of your site.

+ Potential Mitigations

Recommendations include implementing a security policy within your organization that prohibits backing up web application source code in the webroot.

+ Relationships
NatureTypeIDNameView(s) this relationship pertains toView(s)
ChildOfWeakness BaseWeakness Base538File and Directory Information Exposure
Development Concepts (primary)699
Research Concepts (primary)1000
ChildOfWeakness BaseWeakness Base552Files or Directories Accessible to External Parties
Research Concepts1000
ChildOfCategoryCategory731OWASP Top Ten 2004 Category A10 - Insecure Configuration Management
Weaknesses in OWASP Top Ten (2004) (primary)711
+ Content History
Submissions
Submission DateSubmitterOrganizationSource
Anonymous Tool Vendor (under NDA)Externally Mined
Modifications
Modification DateModifierOrganizationSource
2008-07-01Eric DalciCigitalExternal
updated Time of Introduction
2008-09-08CWE Content TeamMITREInternal
updated Common Consequences, Relationships, Taxonomy Mappings
2009-03-10CWE Content TeamMITREInternal
updated Relationships
2009-10-29CWE Content TeamMITREInternal
updated Common Consequences
2009-12-28CWE Content TeamMITREInternal
updated Description, Name
Previous Entry Names
Change DatePrevious Entry Name
2009-12-28Information Leak Through Backup (.~bk) Files
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