CWE-433 – Unparsed Raw Web Content Delivery

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Description

The software stores raw content or supporting code under the web document root with an extension that is not specifically handled by the server.

If code is stored in a file with an extension such as “.inc” or “.pl”, and the web server does not have a handler for that extension, then the server will likely send the contents of the file directly to the requester without the pre-processing that was expected. When that file contains sensitive information such as database credentials, this may allow the attacker to compromise the application or associated components.

Modes of Introduction:

– Implementation

 

 

Related Weaknesses

CWE-219

 

Consequences

Confidentiality: Read Application Data

 

Potential Mitigations

Phase: Architecture and Design

Description: 

Perform a type check before interpreting files.

Phase: Architecture and Design

Description: 

Do not store sensitive information in files which may be misinterpreted.

CVE References

  • CVE-2002-1886
    • “.inc” file stored under web document root and returned unparsed by the server
  • CVE-2002-2065
    • “.inc” file stored under web document root and returned unparsed by the server
  • CVE-2005-2029
    • “.inc” file stored under web document root and returned unparsed by the server
  • CVE-2007-3365
    • Chain: uppercase file extensions causes web server to return script source code instead of executing the script.