# Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information (CWE-319)

The product transmits sensitive or security-critical data in cleartext in a communication channel that can be sniffed by unauthorized actors.

**Stack:** Python

- Prevalence: High Frequently exploited
- Impact: High 5 high-severity rules
- Prevention: Documented 6 fix examples

**OWASP:** Cryptographic Failures (A02:2021-Cryptographic Failures) - #2

## Description

Many communication channels can be sniffed by attackers during data transmission. When sensitive data is transmitted without encryption, an attacker can intercept and read this information. Secure channels like TLS should be used to protect sensitive data in transit.

## Prevention

### Python

Use HTTPS for all external requests and enable SSL redirect in frameworks

## Warning Signs

- [HIGH] use of unencrypted HTTP for sensitive operations like API calls,
authentication, payment processing,

## Consequences

- Read Application Data
- Bypass Protection Mechanism

## Mitigations

- Encrypt all sensitive data before transmission
- Use TLS/SSL for all connections that transmit sensitive data
- Implement certificate pinning for mobile applications

## Detection

- Total rules: 6
- Languages: go, kubernetes, yaml, python

## Rules by Language

### Python (1 rules)

- **HTTP Used Instead of HTTPS** [HIGH]: Detects use of unencrypted HTTP for sensitive operations like API calls,
authentication, payment processing, or data transmission. HTTP traffic is
sent in cleartext and can be intercepted. Always use HTTPS.
  - Remediation: Use HTTPS for all external requests and enable SSL redirect.

```python
import requests

API_URL = "https://api.example.com"

response = requests.get(f"{API_URL}/data", verify=True, timeout=10)

# Django settings.py
SECURE_SSL_REDIRECT = True
SESSION_COOKIE_SECURE = True
```

Learn more: https://shoulder.dev/learn/python/cwe-319/http-not-https