CWE-393: Return of Wrong Status Code

Description

A function or operation returns an incorrect return value or status code that does not indicate the true result of execution, causing the product to modify its behavior based on the incorrect result.

This can lead to unpredictable behavior. If the function is used to make security-critical decisions or provide security-critical information, then the wrong status code can cause the product to assume that an action is safe or correct, even when it is not.

Potential Impact

Demonstrative Examples

try {
                        
                           
                           // something that might throw IOException
                           ...
                     } catch (IOException ioe) {response.sendError(SC_NOT_FOUND);}

Detection Methods

• Fuzzing High — Fuzz testing (fuzzing) is a powerful technique for generating large numbers of diverse inputs - either randomly or algorithmically - and dynamically invoking the code with those inputs. Even with random inputs, it is often capable of generating unexpected results such as crashes, memory corruption,

Real-World CVE Examples

Related Weaknesses

Taxonomy Mappings

• PLOVER: — Wrong Status Code
• Software Fault Patterns: SFP6 — Incorrect Exception Behavior