CWE-749 – Exposed Dangerous Method or Function

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Description

The software provides an Applications Programming Interface (API) or similar interface for interaction with external actors, but the interface includes a dangerous method or function that is not properly restricted.

Modes of Introduction:

– Architecture and Design

Likelihood of Exploit: Low

 

Related Weaknesses

CWE-664
CWE-691

 

Consequences

Integrity, Confidentiality, Availability, Access Control, Other: Gain Privileges or Assume Identity, Read Application Data, Modify Application Data, Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands, Other

Exposing critical functionality essentially provides an attacker with the privilege level of the exposed functionality. This could result in the modification or exposure of sensitive data or possibly even execution of arbitrary code.

 

Potential Mitigations

Phase: Architecture and Design

Effectiveness:

Description: 

If you must expose a method, make sure to perform input validation on all arguments, limit access to authorized parties, and protect against all possible vulnerabilities.

Phase: Architecture and Design, Implementation

Effectiveness:

Description: 

CVE References

 

  • CVE-2007-1112
    • security tool ActiveX control allows download or upload of files