CWE-458: DEPRECATED: Incorrect Initialization
Learn about CWE-458 (DEPRECATED: Incorrect Initialization), its security impact, exploitation methods, and prevention guidelines.
What is DEPRECATED: Incorrect Initialization?
• Overview: CWE-458, now deprecated, referred to incorrect initialization of variables or data structures, which could lead to undefined behavior or security vulnerabilities. This weakness was deprecated because it overlapped with CWE-454 and the name suggested a broader issue. Developers should refer to CWE-665 for general initialization problems.
• Exploitation Methods:
- Attackers might exploit incorrect initialization to inject malicious data or manipulate program flow.
- Common techniques include exploiting uninitialized variables to gain unauthorized access or cause program crashes.
• Security Impact:
- Direct consequences include unpredictable program behavior and potential for code execution vulnerabilities.
- Cascading effects may involve data corruption, crashes, or security bypasses.
- Business impact could involve data breaches, loss of customer trust, and legal implications.
• Prevention Guidelines:
- Ensure all variables and data structures are properly initialized before use.
- Follow coding standards and guidelines that emphasize initialization best practices.
- Use static analysis tools to identify potential uninitialized variables or data structures.
Technical Details
Likelihood of Exploit: Not specified
Affected Languages: Not specified
Affected Technologies: Not specified