CWE-514: Covert Channel

What is Covert Channel?

• Overview: A covert channel is a security vulnerability where information is transferred through a channel that was not intended for communication by the system's designers. This transfer occurs without the system's explicit authorization or awareness.

• Exploitation Methods:

• Attackers exploit covert channels by using unintended pathways within a system to transfer data, often bypassing security controls.
• Common attack patterns include timing channels, where the attacker manipulates the execution time of tasks, and storage channels, which use shared resources to exchange information covertly.

• Security Impact:

• Direct consequences include unauthorized access to or leakage of sensitive information.
• Potential cascading effects involve further system compromise and increased attack surface, leading to more severe breaches.
• Business impact can be significant, including loss of customer trust, legal penalties, and financial losses due to data breaches.

• Prevention Guidelines:

• Specific code-level fixes include minimizing shared resources and ensuring strict access controls.
• Security best practices involve conducting thorough audits of system pathways and implementing robust monitoring mechanisms to detect unusual data flows.
• Recommended tools and frameworks include intrusion detection systems, static code analysis tools to identify potential covert channels, and using security-focused development methodologies.

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Technical Details

Likelihood of Exploit: Not specified

Affected Languages: Not specified

Affected Technologies: Not specified