Config Files Connection String With Password Exposed
Description
Detects database connection strings with embedded passwords in configuration files. This poses a security risk as hardcoded credentials in config files can be accessed by unauthorized users and may be inadvertently exposed through version control systems.
Detection Strategy
• Check if file contains lines matching database connection string patterns
• Line must be less than 1000 characters to avoid false positives
• Line must contain connection string keywords along with password/credential information
Vulnerable code example
<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<configuration>
<connectionStrings>
<!-- Vulnerable: Hardcoded database credentials in plaintext -->
<add name="ProductionDB" connectionString="connectDB=mainDB; uid=admin; password=secretPass123; dbalias=prodDB;" providerName="System.Data.Odbc" />
</connectionStrings>
</configuration>✅ Secure code example
<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<configuration>
<!-- Store connection strings in separate config file outside of VCS -->
<connectionStrings configSource="connectionStrings.secrets.config" />
</configuration>
<!-- connectionStrings.secrets.config file (stored securely outside source control): -->
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