CWE-1173: Improper Use of Validation Framework

What is Improper Use of Validation Framework?

• Overview: Improper Use of Validation Framework (CWE-1173) occurs when a product does not utilize, or incorrectly utilizes, an input validation framework available through the source language or an independent library, leading to potential vulnerabilities if input validation is not handled properly elsewhere.

• Exploitation Methods:

• Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by submitting malformed or malicious input that bypasses inadequate validation.
• Common attack patterns include injection attacks and buffer overflows, where improperly validated input is used to manipulate program execution.

• Security Impact:

• Direct consequences include the introduction of vulnerabilities that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code or compromise data integrity.
• Potential cascading effects involve increased risk of other vulnerabilities if input validation gaps are left unchecked throughout the codebase.
• Business impact includes potential data breaches, loss of customer trust, and legal ramifications due to non-compliance with data protection standards.

• Prevention Guidelines:

• Specific code-level fixes include ensuring consistent use of input validation frameworks for all user inputs and integrating them early in the development process.
• Security best practices involve educating developers on the importance of input validation and conducting regular code reviews to identify validation gaps.
• Recommended tools and frameworks include leveraging language-specific validation libraries or third-party frameworks known for robust input validation capabilities, such as OWASP's ESAPI or Apache Commons Validator.

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Technical Details

Likelihood of Exploit: Not specified

Affected Languages: Not Language-Specific

Affected Technologies: Not specified

Vulnerable Code Example

function registerUser(userInput) {
    // Naive validation for email format using regex
    const emailRegex = /^\w+@\w+\.\w+\$/;
    if (!emailRegex.test(userInput.email)) {  // This simplistic regex may not cover all valid email formats
        throw new Error("Invalid email format");
    }
    // The simplistic validation can be easily bypassed or may reject valid emails
    console.log("User registered with email:", userInput.email);
}

// Example usage
const userData = { email: "example@domain.com" };
registerUser(userData);

In this vulnerable code example, the email validation uses a simplistic regular expression that fails to cover all valid email formats and edge cases. This can lead to improper validation, allowing invalid emails to pass or valid emails to be rejected, potentially leading to security issues.

How to fix Improper Use of Validation Framework?

To address the vulnerability, a more robust solution is to use a well-established validation library that accounts for various edge cases in email structures. In JavaScript, the validator library provides an isEmail function that accurately validates email addresses, ensuring comprehensive and error-free validation.

Fixed Code Example

const validator = require('validator');

function registerUser(userInput) {
    // Use the validator library for reliable email validation
    if (!validator.isEmail(userInput.email)) {  // This ensures comprehensive validation of email format
        throw new Error("Invalid email format");
    }

    // If validation passes, proceed with registration
    console.log("User registered with email:", userInput.email);
}

// Example usage
const userData = { email: "example@domain.com" };
registerUser(userData);

In the fixed code example, the validator library is used to perform email validation. This library provides a reliable isEmail function that handles various edge cases and ensures that the email validation process is secure and accurate. By using such a library, we mitigate the risk of improper validation and enhance the security of the application.