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CWE-451 - User Interface (UI) Misrepresentation of Critical Information

CWE-451

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

User Interface (UI) Misrepresentation of Critical Information

Description

The user interface (UI) does not properly represent critical information to the user, allowing the information - or its source - to be obscured or spoofed. This is often a component in phishing attacks.

If an attacker can cause the UI to display erroneous data, or to otherwise convince the user to display information that appears to come from a trusted source, then the attacker could trick the user into performing the wrong action. This is often a component in phishing attacks, but other kinds of problems exist. For example, if the UI is used to monitor the security state of a system or network, then omitting or obscuring an important indicator could prevent the user from detecting and reacting to a security-critical event. UI misrepresentation can take many forms:

Common Consequences

Scope: Non-Repudiation, Access Control

Impact: Hide Activities, Bypass Protection Mechanism

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

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