CWE-96: Improper Neutralization of Directives in Statically Saved Code ('Static Code Injection')
Description
The product receives input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes code syntax before inserting the input into an executable resource, such as a library, configuration file, or template.
- Abstraction
- BaseA weakness specific enough to point to detection and prevention methods.
- Likelihood of exploit
- Not rated by MITRE
- Status
- Draft
Common consequences
- Confidentiality
Read Files or Directories; Read Application Data
The injected code could access restricted data / files.
- Access Control
Bypass Protection Mechanism
In some cases, injectable code controls authentication; this may lead to a remote vulnerability.
- Access Control
Gain Privileges or Assume Identity
Injected code can access resources that the attacker is directly prevented from accessing.
- IntegrityConfidentialityAvailabilityOther
Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands
Code injection attacks can lead to loss of data integrity in nearly all cases as the control-plane data injected is always incidental to data recall or writing. Additionally, code injection can often result in the execution of arbitrary code.
- Non-Repudiation
Hide Activities
Often the actions performed by injected control code are unlogged.
Potential mitigations
- ImplementationInput Validation
Assume all input is malicious. Use an accept known good input validation strategy, i.e., use a list of acceptable inputs that strictly conform to specifications. Reject any input that does not strictly conform to specifications, or transform it into something that does. When performing input validation, consider all potentially relevant properties, including length, type of input, the full range of acceptable values, missing or extra inputs, syntax, consistency across related fields, and conformance to business rules. As an example of business rule logic, boat may be syntactically valid...
- ImplementationOutput Encoding
Perform proper output validation and escaping to neutralize all code syntax from data written to code files.