Cachehallgatás

Cachehallgatás is a Hungarian term that translates to "cache listening" or "cache eavesdropping." It refers to a type of security vulnerability that can occur in systems where sensitive data is stored in a cache. A cache is a temporary storage area used to speed up data retrieval. When an attacker gains access to the cache, they can potentially read data that is not intended for them, even if the primary storage of that data is properly secured.

This vulnerability arises because caches are often designed for performance and may not always enforce the same strict security controls as the main data stores. If data leaves the secure primary storage and resides in the cache, it becomes a potential target. Examples of such caches include web browser caches, application-level caches, or even CPU caches.

The consequences of cachehallgatás can range from the exposure of user credentials and session tokens to confidential business information or personal data. Mitigation strategies typically involve ensuring that sensitive data is properly encrypted or invalidated in caches when it is no longer needed or when security contexts change. Careful design and implementation of caching mechanisms, along with regular security audits, are crucial to prevent this type of attack. Understanding that cached data can be a security risk is the first step in defending against cachehallgatás.