Hard-Coded Password Detection

This question asks if you've buried any passwords directly in your software code or configuration files - like having 'admin/admin' built into the system or database passwords written directly in your application. It's like hiding a spare key under your doormat - it might seem convenient, but it's the first place attackers look and impossible to change if compromised.

Hard-coded passwords are considered critical vulnerabilities that can instantly fail security audits and kill enterprise deals. They're impossible to rotate when compromised, often forgotten during security reviews, and frequently exposed in code repositories or documentation. A single hard-coded password can provide attackers with persistent access to all customer data. Eliminating them demonstrates security maturity and reduces risk of catastrophic breaches that could end your business.

Developers often hard-code passwords during development and forget to remove them before production. Another common mistake is hard-coding 'default' passwords that are meant to be changed but never are. Teams also overlook hard-coded API keys and service account credentials, thinking they're different from passwords when they pose the same risks.