Because it is easy to extract strings from an application source code or binary, credentials should not be hard-coded. This is particularly true for applications that are distributed or that are open-source.

In the past, it has led to the following vulnerabilities:

Credentials should be stored outside of the code in a configuration file, a database, or a management service for secrets.

This rule flags instances of hard-coded credentials used in database and LDAP connections. It looks for hard-coded credentials in connection strings, and for variable names that match any of the patterns from the provided list.

Ask Yourself Whether

There is a risk if you answered yes to any of those questions.

Recommended Secure Coding Practices

Sensitive Code Example

Dim username As String = "admin"
Dim password As String = "Password123" ' Sensitive
Dim usernamePassword As String = "user=admin&password=Password123" ' Sensitive
Dim url As String = "scheme://user:Admin123@domain.com" ' Sensitive

Compliant Solution

Dim username As String = "admin"
Dim password As String = GetEncryptedPassword()
Dim usernamePassword As String = String.Format("user={0}&password={1}", GetEncryptedUsername(), GetEncryptedPassword())
Dim url As String = $"scheme://{username}:{password}@domain.com"

Dim url2 As String= "http://guest:guest@domain.com" ' Compliant
Const Password_Property As String = "custom.password" ' Compliant

Exceptions

See