Published: 20 Aug 2024

The same hardcoded password, or a limited number of them, are often used across all applications (many that require elevated privileges to function) or devices produced by a manufacturer/software development company within a particular series, release, or model.
Default, hardcoded passwords may be used across many of the same devices, applications, systems, which helps simplify set up at scale, but at the same time, poses considerable cybersecurity risk.
Hardcoded passwords are particularly dangerous because they are easy targets for password guessing exploits, allowing hackers and malware to hijack firmware, devices (such as health monitoring equipment), systems, and software. When storing sensitive and business critical data, however, you must take steps to maximize the security of your Depots and the data stored in them.So, once a hacker knows the default password, they can potentially access all similar devices or application instances. Password hardcoding refers to the practice of embedding plain text (non-encrypted) passwords and other secrets (SSH Keys, DevOps secrets, etc.) into the source code. Depot functions mostly as an active storage container for keys as well as an account management system for dealing with multiple privileged accounts across your company.
Skater Private Keys Depot protects cryptographic keys (that can be used as connection strings and passwords) in the cloud. Hardcoded Passwords, also often referred to as Embedded Credentials, are plain text passwords or other secrets in source code. This kind of exploit has resulted in some massive cyberattacks (two of which are detailed below), that have caused massive security breaches, worldwide outages, and even jeopardized critical infrastructure.
Additionally, developers and other users often embed passwords in code and then forget about it, and/or accidentally publish the code (such as to GitHub) with the plaintext password easily discoverable by anyone with the right knowledge or scanning tools.
Hardcoding presents a risk for the specific device, firmware, application, etc. itself, to other parts of the connected IT ecosystem, and even to innocent third-parties, which may be on the receiving end of DDOS attacks from botnets of devices enslaved via a hardcoded password exploit.
Skater Depot works by encrypting each key to help prevent unauthorized users from gaining access.

The solution provides high availability, standards-based enterprise encryption key management to a wide range of .NET applications. Skater Private Keys Depot is a FIPS 140-2 compliant enterprise key manager that helps software development teams meet compliance requirements and protect private information. Once data is encrypted, your private information depends on enterprise-level key management to keep that data safe. Encryption keys can be restricted based on several criteria. The symmetric encryption key management solution creates, manages, and distributes 128-bit, 192-bit, and 256-bit AES keys for any developed .NET application running on Windows operating system.