CWE-1302: Missing Source Identifier in Entity Transactions on a System-On-Chip (SOC)

What is Missing Source Identifier in Entity Transactions on a System-On-Chip (SOC)?

• Overview: CWE-1302 refers to a vulnerability where transactions on a System-On-Chip (SoC) lack a security identifier, which is crucial for distinguishing permissible actions based on the transaction's origin. Without this identifier, the system may incorrectly process or reject the transaction, leading to security issues.

• Exploitation Methods:

• Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting transactions without a security identifier, causing the destination to process unauthorized actions or drop legitimate requests.
• Common attack patterns include manipulating transaction messages to bypass security checks or induce Denial-of-Service (DoS) by overwhelming the system with incomplete transactions.

• Security Impact:

• Direct consequences of successful exploitation include unauthorized access, privilege escalation, or system disruption through Denial-of-Service.
• Potential cascading effects involve compromised system integrity, data breaches, and the facilitation of further attacks on interconnected systems.
• Business impact may include loss of customer trust, compromised data integrity, operational downtime, and potential legal and financial repercussions.

• Prevention Guidelines:

• Specific code-level fixes involve ensuring that all transaction messages consistently include a valid security identifier before processing.
• Security best practices include implementing robust validation checks for transaction identifiers and enforcing strict access control policies based on these identifiers.
• Recommended tools and frameworks involve using security-focused SoC architectures and employing static and dynamic analysis tools to detect and prevent missing identifiers in transactions.

Corgea can automatically detect and fix Missing Source Identifier in Entity Transactions on a System-On-Chip (SOC) in your codebase. [Try Corgea free today](https://corgea.app).

Technical Details

Likelihood of Exploit: Not specified

Affected Languages: Not Language-Specific

Affected Technologies: Not Technology-Specific

Vulnerable Code Example

class Transaction:
    def __init__(self, entity, amount):
        self.entity = entity
        self.amount = amount

def process_transaction(transaction):
    # Vulnerable: No check for source identifier
    if transaction.amount > 1000:
        print("Transaction requires manager approval")
    else:
        print("Transaction approved")
        
# Transaction without source identifier
transaction = Transaction(entity="sensor_unit", amount=1500)
process_transaction(transaction)

Explanation:

In this vulnerable code example, the Transaction class and process_transaction function handle transactions without verifying the source of the transaction. This oversight means that unauthorized entities could potentially create transactions that should not be processed, leading to security risks such as unauthorized access or manipulation of sensitive operations.

How to fix Missing Source Identifier in Entity Transactions on a System-On-Chip (SOC)?

To address the vulnerability of missing source identifiers in entity transactions, we need to ensure that every transaction is associated with a verified source identifier. This can be done by:

1. Implementing a Source Verification Mechanism: Each transaction must include a source identifier that can be authenticated to verify the origin of the transaction.

2. Using Access Control: Implement access control checks based on the source identifier to ensure only authorized transactions are processed.

3. Logging and Monitoring: Log transactions with their source identifiers to monitor and detect unauthorized access attempts.

Fixed Code Example

class Transaction:
    def __init__(self, entity, source_id, amount):
        self.entity = entity
        self.source_id = source_id  # Added source identifier
        self.amount = amount

def verify_source(source_id):
    # Mock implementation of source verification
    authorized_sources = {"sensor_unit_1", "control_unit_2"}
    return source_id in authorized_sources

def process_transaction(transaction):
    # Secure: Verify the source identifier
    if not verify_source(transaction.source_id):
        print("Unauthorized transaction source")
        return
    
    if transaction.amount > 1000:
        print("Transaction requires manager approval")
    else:
        print("Transaction approved")

# Transaction with source identifier
transaction = Transaction(entity="sensor_unit", source_id="sensor_unit_1", amount=1500)
process_transaction(transaction)

Explanation:

In the fixed code example, the Transaction class now includes a source_id attribute that acts as the source identifier. The verify_source function checks whether the provided source identifier is authorized, simulating a basic access control mechanism. The process_transaction function now includes a security check to verify the source of the transaction before proceeding. This ensures that only transactions from authorized entities are processed, effectively mitigating the vulnerability by preventing unauthorized transaction processing.