Multiple choice technology security

Hardcoded credentials in the source code which are checked prior to the normal authentication process is an example of which of the following

  1. A backdoor

  2. An access control vulnerability

  3. A buffer over flow

  4. A SQL injection vulnerability
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A Correct answer
Explanation

Hardcoded credentials that bypass standard authentication are a classic backdoor - they provide an alternative authentication method that wasn't part of the designed security flow. This differs from access control vulnerabilities (which are flaws in the designed controls), buffer overflows (memory corruption), or SQL injection (input validation issues). The defining characteristic is the deliberate, secret authentication path.

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