在明文中存儲密碼會危及系統安全。
當密碼以明文形式存儲在應用程序的屬性文件或其他數據存儲中時，可能會發生 Password Management 漏洞。
示例：以下代碼會從注冊表中讀取密碼，并使用該密碼來連接至數據庫。
...
RegQueryValueEx(hkey,TEXT(.SQLPWD.),NULL,
NULL,(LPBYTE)pwd, &size);
rc = SQLConnect(*hdbc, server, SQL_NTS, uid,
SQL_NTS, pwd, SQL_NTS);
...
pwd 的值。而這給了心懷不軌的雇員利用這一信息破壞系統的機會。
[1] Standards Mapping - OWASP Top 10 2010 - (OWASP 2010) A7 Insecure Cryptographic Storage
[2] Standards Mapping - OWASP Top 10 2007 - (OWASP 2007) A8 Insecure Cryptographic Storage
[3] Standards Mapping - OWASP Top 10 2004 - (OWASP 2004) A8 Insecure Storage
[4] Standards Mapping - Security Technical Implementation Guide Version 3 - (STIG 3) APP3210.1 CAT II, APP3340 CAT I
[5] Standards Mapping - Security Technical Implementation Guide Version 3.4 - (STIG 3.4) APP3210.1 CAT II, APP3340 CAT I
[6] Standards Mapping - Common Weakness Enumeration - (CWE) CWE ID 256
[7] Standards Mapping - FIPS200 - (FISMA) IA
[8] Standards Mapping - Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard Version 1.2 - (PCI 1.2) Requirement 3.4, Requirement 6.3.1.3, Requirement 6.5.8, Requirement 8.4
[9] Standards Mapping - Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard Version 2.0 - (PCI 2.0) Requirement 3.4, Requirement 6.5.3, Requirement 8.4
[10] Standards Mapping - Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard Version 1.1 - (PCI 1.1) Requirement 3.4, Requirement 6.5.8, Requirement 8.4
[11] Windows Data Protection Microsoft