CWE-471 – Modification of Assumed-Immutable Data (MAID)

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Description

The software does not properly protect an assumed-immutable element from being modified by an attacker.

This occurs when a particular input is critical enough to the functioning of the application that it should not be modifiable at all, but it is. Certain resources are often assumed to be immutable when they are not, such as hidden form fields in web applications, cookies, and reverse DNS lookups.

Modes of Introduction:

– Implementation

 

 

Related Weaknesses

CWE-664

 

Consequences

Integrity: Modify Application Data

Common data types that are attacked are environment variables, web application parameters, and HTTP headers.

Integrity: Unexpected State

 

Potential Mitigations

Phase: Architecture and Design, Operation, Implementation

Description: 

When the data is stored or transmitted through untrusted sources that could modify the data, implement integrity checks to detect unauthorized modification, or store/transmit the data in a trusted location that is free from external influence.

CVE References

  • CVE-2005-1905
    • Gain privileges by modifying assumed-immutable code addresses that are accessed by a driver.