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Variant · Low-Medium

CWE-238: Improper Handling of Incomplete Structural Elements

The product does not handle or incorrectly handles when a particular structural element is not completely specified.

CWE-238 · Variant Level

Description

The product does not handle or incorrectly handles when a particular structural element is not completely specified.

Potential Impact

Integrity

Unexpected State

CWE-237: Improper Handling of Structural Elements

The product does not handle or incorrectly handles inputs that are related to complex structures.

Taxonomy Mappings

  • PLOVER: — Missing Element Error

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CWE-238?

CWE-238 (Improper Handling of Incomplete Structural Elements) is a software weakness identified by MITRE's Common Weakness Enumeration. It is classified as a Variant-level weakness. The product does not handle or incorrectly handles when a particular structural element is not completely specified.

How can CWE-238 be exploited?

Attackers can exploit CWE-238 (Improper Handling of Incomplete Structural Elements) to unexpected state. This weakness is typically introduced during the Implementation phase of software development.

How do I prevent CWE-238?

Follow secure coding practices, conduct code reviews, and use automated security testing tools (SAST/DAST) to detect this weakness early in the development lifecycle.

What is the severity of CWE-238?

CWE-238 is classified as a Variant-level weakness (Low-Medium abstraction). Its actual severity depends on the specific context and how the weakness manifests in your application.