CWE-832: Unlock of a Resource that is not Locked
Learn about CWE-832 (Unlock of a Resource that is not Locked), its security impact, exploitation methods, and prevention guidelines.
What is Unlock of a Resource that is not Locked?
• Overview: Unlock of a Resource that is not Locked (CWE-832) occurs when a program attempts to unlock or release a resource, such as a file or a memory block, that was never locked in the first place. This can lead to unexpected behavior, including memory corruption or data integrity issues.
• Exploitation Methods:
- Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by causing the application to attempt to unlock a resource that is not locked, potentially leading to application crashes or unpredictable behavior.
- Common attack patterns include manipulating program inputs or the sequence of operations to disrupt the expected locking logic.
• Security Impact:
- Direct consequences include memory corruption, data inconsistency, and application crashes.
- Potential cascading effects can involve broader system instability or the compromise of other processes interacting with the affected resource.
- Business impact may involve data loss, system downtime, or the exploitation of further vulnerabilities as a result of the instability.
• Prevention Guidelines:
- Specific code-level fixes include implementing checks to ensure a resource is locked before attempting to unlock it.
- Security best practices involve thorough input validation and consistent use of locking mechanisms.
- Recommended tools and frameworks include static analysis tools to detect incorrect resource management and concurrency issues during development.
Technical Details
Likelihood of Exploit: Not specified
Affected Languages: Not specified
Affected Technologies: Not specified