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CWE-117 - Improper Output Neutralization for Logs

CWE-117 Medium

  • Abstraction:
  • Base
  • Structure:
  • Simple
  • Status:
  • Draft
Weakness Name

Improper Output Neutralization for Logs

Description

The product does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes output that is written to logs.

This can allow an attacker to forge log entries or inject malicious content into logs. Log forging vulnerabilities occur when:

Common Consequences

Scope: Integrity, Confidentiality, Availability, Non-Repudiation

Impact: Modify Application Data, Hide Activities, Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands

Notes: Interpretation of the log files may be hindered or misdirected if an attacker can supply data to the application that is subsequently logged verbatim. In the most benign case, an attacker may be able to insert false entries into the log file by providing the application with input that includes appropriate characters. Forged or otherwise corrupted log files can be used to cover an attacker's tracks, possibly by skewing statistics, or even to implicate another party in the commission of a malicious act. If the log file is processed automatically, the attacker can render the file unusable by corrupting the format of the file or injecting unexpected characters. An attacker may inject code or other commands into the log file and take advantage of a vulnerability in the log processing utility.

Related Weaknesses
Related Alerts
  • Release Date:
  • 2006-07-19
  • Latest Modification Date:
  • 2023-06-29

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