API Key, a Key to Credential Leakage & Manipulation

Django, is a Python-based web framework that allows developers to easily create secure and maintainable websites. This free open source is one of the most popular Python frameworks because it provides many shortcuts to making life easier for web developers. The problem is that many developers easily overlook the importance of security while using these shortcuts.

Upon searching for Django web applications with enabled Debug Mode, Database (hereinafter referred to as DB) accounts information and API Keys of more than thousands of applications were found to be exposed on the internet. This implies that hackers are able to pocket corporate’s personal information and confidential documents without hassles. AI Spera’s CIP team searched for web applications such as Django and Laravel, as well as its related keywords to assess the severity of Credential leakage on Criminal IP, a comprehensive cyber threat intelligence search engine.

What is a Credential?

Credential, in the dictionary, is defined as ‘qualification’ and generally refers to evidence attesting one’s right and authority, such as your identification card and certificates. However, the term ‘Credential’ also applies to cloud environments and Oauth, like Facebook, where you use Access Key ID/Secret Key for social authentication. In recent days, the term Credential doesn’t necessarily mean authentication-related keys, but in a more comprehensive matter, IP information of internal cloud VPC networks.