CWE-786 - Access of Memory Location Before Start of Buffer
CWE-786
- Abstraction:
- Base
- Structure:
- Simple
- Status:
- Incomplete
- Weakness Name
Access of Memory Location Before Start of Buffer
- Description
The product reads or writes to a buffer using an index or pointer that references a memory location prior to the beginning of the buffer.
This typically occurs when a pointer or its index is decremented to a position before the buffer, when pointer arithmetic results in a position before the beginning of the valid memory location, or when a negative index is used.
- Common Consequences
Scope: Confidentiality
Impact: Read Memory
Notes: For an out-of-bounds read, the attacker may have access to sensitive information. If the sensitive information contains system details, such as the current buffer's position in memory, this knowledge can be used to craft further attacks, possibly with more severe consequences.
Scope: Integrity, Availability
Impact: Modify Memory, DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart
Notes: Out of bounds memory access will very likely result in the corruption of relevant memory, and perhaps instructions, possibly leading to a crash.
Scope: Integrity
Impact: Modify Memory, Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands
Notes: If the corrupted memory can be effectively controlled, it may be possible to execute arbitrary code. If the corrupted memory is data rather than instructions, the system will continue to function with improper changes, possibly in violation of an implicit or explicit policy.
- Related Weaknesses
- Release Date:
- 2009-10-29
- Latest Modification Date:
- 2024-07-16
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