CWE-94 - Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')

CWE ID:

CWE-94

Medium

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Abstraction:Base
Structure:Simple
Status:Draft

Release Date:2006-07-19
Latest Modification Date:2025-04-03

Weakness Name

Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')

Description

The product constructs all or part of a code segment using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the syntax or behavior of the intended code segment.

Common Consequences

Scope: Access Control

Impact: Bypass Protection Mechanism

Notes: In some cases, injectable code controls authentication; this may lead to a remote vulnerability.

Scope: Access Control

Impact: Gain Privileges or Assume Identity

Notes: Injected code can access resources that the attacker is directly prevented from accessing.

Scope: Integrity, Confidentiality, Availability

Impact: Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands

Notes: When a product allows a user's input to contain code syntax, it might be possible for an attacker to craft the code in such a way that it will alter the intended control flow of the product. As a result, code injection can often result in the execution of arbitrary code. Code injection attacks can also lead to loss of data integrity in nearly all cases, since the control-plane data injected is always incidental to data recall or writing.

Scope: Non-Repudiation

Impact: Hide Activities

Notes: Often the actions performed by injected control code are unlogged.