Description
The product does not properly protect an assumed-immutable element from being modified by an attacker.
This occurs when a particular input is critical enough to the functioning of the application that it should not be modifiable at all, but it is. Certain resources are often assumed to be immutable when they are not, such as hidden form fields in web applications, cookies, and reverse DNS lookups.
Potential Impact
Integrity
Modify Application Data
Integrity
Unexpected State
Demonstrative Examples
String[] colors = car.getAllPossibleColors();colors[0] = "Red";Mitigations & Prevention
When the data is stored or transmitted through untrusted sources that could modify the data, implement integrity checks to detect unauthorized modification, or store/transmit the data in a trusted location that is free from external influence.
Real-World CVE Examples
| CVE ID | Description |
|---|---|
| CVE-2002-1757 | Relies on $PHP_SELF variable for authentication. |
| CVE-2005-1905 | Gain privileges by modifying assumed-immutable code addresses that are accessed by a driver. |
Related Weaknesses
Taxonomy Mappings
- PLOVER: — Modification of Assumed-Immutable Data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CWE-471?
CWE-471 (Modification of Assumed-Immutable Data (MAID)) is a software weakness identified by MITRE's Common Weakness Enumeration. It is classified as a Base-level weakness. The product does not properly protect an assumed-immutable element from being modified by an attacker.
How can CWE-471 be exploited?
Attackers can exploit CWE-471 (Modification of Assumed-Immutable Data (MAID)) to modify application data. This weakness is typically introduced during the Implementation, Architecture and Design phase of software development.
How do I prevent CWE-471?
Key mitigations include: When the data is stored or transmitted through untrusted sources that could modify the data, implement integrity checks to detect unauthorized modification, or store/transmit the data in a trusted loc
What is the severity of CWE-471?
CWE-471 is classified as a Base-level weakness (Medium abstraction). It has been observed in 2 real-world CVEs.