Secrets That Survive Everything: Runtime Credential Exposure in Production Web Applications
Researchers demonstrate that Azure AD credentials and API keys embedded in production JavaScript bundles escape pre-commit secret scanners — a runtime blind spot that demands post-deployment asset scanning in cloud-heavy European enterprises.
Summary written by editorial AI · Source link below
arXiv:2609.23042v1 Announce Type: new Abstract: Pre-deployment secret scanning operates only on source code, never on what a production application serves. We document two exploitation chains in which Azure AD client credentials and APIM subscription keys from production JavaScript bundles enabled account takeover and mass data exposure. An authorized engagement covered approximately 2,000 enterprise web assets in one organization; 113 (5.65%) served live credentials. To quantify the shift-righ
Editorial Analysis
Most enterprises rely solely on pre-deployment secret scanning; this research proves that runtime-served bundles can silently leak production credentials, creating an unmonitored attack surface in cloud environments.
Extend secret-scanning programmes to include automated post-deployment crawling of all externally served JavaScript assets.
Production web applications may silently expose cloud credentials that pre-deployment controls never catch, creating direct compromise risk.
Forward-looking interpretation drafted by editorial AI under human review — not a reproduction of the source. See methodology.
External link — opens at arXiv Crypto & Security in a new tab.
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