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CWE-138 - Improper Neutralization of Special Elements

CWE-138

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

Improper Neutralization of Special Elements

Description

The product receives input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could be interpreted as control elements or syntactic markers when they are sent to a downstream component.

Most languages and protocols have their own special elements such as characters and reserved words. These special elements can carry control implications. If product does not prevent external control or influence over the inclusion of such special elements, the control flow of the program may be altered from what was intended. For example, both Unix and Windows interpret the symbol < ("less than") as meaning "read input from a file".

Common Consequences

Scope: Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability, Other

Impact: Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands, Alter Execution Logic, DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart

Related Weaknesses
  • Release Date:
  • 2006-07-19
  • Latest Modification Date:
  • 2024-02-29