# Active Debug Code (CWE-489)

The product is deployed to unauthorized actors with debugging code still enabled or active, which can create unintended entry points or information leaks.

**Stack:** JavaScript

- Prevalence: High Frequently exploited
- Impact: Critical 1 critical-severity rules
- Prevention: Documented 6 fix examples

**OWASP:** Security Misconfiguration (A05:2021-Security Misconfiguration) - #5

## Description

Debug code is often written to allow easier testing and debugging. This code is not intended to be shipped to production but is sometimes inadvertently left in the product. Debug code often exposes information about the product's internal structure or creates additional attack surface.

## Prevention

Prevention strategies for Active Debug Code based on 1 Shoulder detection rules.

### JavaScript

Use environment variables for debug configuration instead of hardcoded flags

## Warning Signs

- [MEDIUM] Debug flag at line ... is hardcoded to true
- [MEDIUM] hardcoded debug flags that expose sensitive information or enable debugging features in production

## Consequences

- Read Application Data
- Bypass Protection Mechanism
- Execute Unauthorized Code

## Mitigations

- Remove debugging code before deploying the product to production
- Use build configurations that automatically exclude debug code from production builds
- Audit code for debug endpoints and backdoors before release

## Detection

- Total rules: 6
- Critical: 1
- Languages: python, go, javascript, typescript

## Rules by Language

### Javascript (1 rules)

- **Debug Mode Enabled in Production** [MEDIUM]: Detects hardcoded debug flags that expose sensitive information or enable debugging features in production.
  - Remediation: Use environment variables for debug/development mode configuration.

### Typescript (1 rules)

- **Debug Mode Enabled in Production** [MEDIUM]: Detects hardcoded debug flags that expose sensitive information or enable debugging features in production.
  - Remediation: Use environment variables for debug/development mode configuration.