Description
A's behavior or functionality changes with a new version of A, or a new environment, which is not known (or manageable) by B.
Potential Impact
Other
Quality Degradation, Varies by Context
Real-World CVE Examples
| CVE ID | Description |
|---|---|
| CVE-2002-1976 | Linux kernel 2.2 and above allow promiscuous mode using a different method than previous versions, and ifconfig is not aware of the new method (alternate path property). |
| CVE-2005-1711 | Product uses defunct method from another product that does not return an error code and allows detection avoidance. |
| CVE-2003-0411 | chain: Code was ported from a case-sensitive Unix platform to a case-insensitive Windows platform where filetype handlers treat .jsp and .JSP as different extensions. JSP source code may be read becau |
Related Weaknesses
Taxonomy Mappings
- PLOVER: — CHANGE Behavioral Change
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CWE-439?
CWE-439 (Behavioral Change in New Version or Environment) is a software weakness identified by MITRE's Common Weakness Enumeration. It is classified as a Base-level weakness. A's behavior or functionality changes with a new version of A, or a new environment, which is not known (or manageable) by B.
How can CWE-439 be exploited?
Attackers can exploit CWE-439 (Behavioral Change in New Version or Environment) to quality degradation, varies by context. This weakness is typically introduced during the Architecture and Design, Implementation phase of software development.
How do I prevent CWE-439?
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-439?
CWE-439 is classified as a Base-level weakness (Medium abstraction). It has been observed in 3 real-world CVEs.