CWE-276: Incorrect Default Permissions

What is CWE-276?

MITRE CWE

During installation, installed file permissions are set to allow anyone to modify those files.

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Official definition

MITRE CWE

During installation, installed file permissions are set to allow anyone to modify those files.

Detailed description

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Characteristics

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Modes of introduction

  • Architecture and Design
  • Implementation
  • Installation
  • Operation

Common consequences

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  • Confidentiality, Integrity

    Read Application Data, Modify Application Data

Mitigations

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  • Architecture and Design, OperationThe architecture needs to access and modification attributes for files to only those users who actually require those actions.
  • Architecture and Design · Separation of PrivilegeCompartmentalize the system to have "safe" areas where trust boundaries can be unambiguously drawn. Do not allow sensitive data to go outside of the trust boundary and always be careful when interfacing with a compartment outside of the safe area. Ensure that appropriate compartmentalization is built into the system design, and the compartmentalization allows for and reinforces privilege separation functionality. Architects and designers should rely on the principle of least privilege to decide the appropriate time to use privileges and the time to drop privileges.

Detection methods

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  • Automated Static Analysis - Binary or BytecodeAccording to SOAR [REF-1479], the following detection techniques may be useful: ``` Cost effective for partial coverage: ``` Inter-application Flow AnalysisEffectiveness: SOAR Partial
  • Manual Static Analysis - Binary or BytecodeAccording to SOAR [REF-1479], the following detection techniques may be useful: ``` Cost effective for partial coverage: ``` Binary / Bytecode disassembler - then use manual analysis for vulnerabilities & anomaliesEffectiveness: SOAR Partial
  • Dynamic Analysis with Automated Results InterpretationAccording to SOAR [REF-1479], the following detection techniques may be useful: ``` Cost effective for partial coverage: ``` Host-based Vulnerability Scanners - Examine configuration for flaws, verifying that audit mechanisms work, ensure host configuration meets certain predefined criteria Web Application Scanner Web Services Scanner Database ScannersEffectiveness: SOAR Partial
  • Dynamic Analysis with Manual Results InterpretationAccording to SOAR [REF-1479], the following detection techniques may be useful: ``` Highly cost effective: ``` Host Application Interface Scanner ``` Cost effective for partial coverage: ``` Fuzz Tester Framework-based Fuzzer Automated Monitored Execution Forced Path ExecutionEffectiveness: High
  • Manual Static Analysis - Source CodeAccording to SOAR [REF-1479], the following detection techniques may be useful: ``` Highly cost effective: ``` Manual Source Code Review (not inspections) ``` Cost effective for partial coverage: ``` Focused Manual Spotcheck - Focused manual analysis of sourceEffectiveness: High
  • Automated Static Analysis - Source CodeAccording to SOAR [REF-1479], the following detection techniques may be useful: ``` Cost effective for partial coverage: ``` Context-configured Source Code Weakness AnalyzerEffectiveness: SOAR Partial
  • Automated Static AnalysisAccording to SOAR [REF-1479], the following detection techniques may be useful: ``` Cost effective for partial coverage: ``` Configuration CheckerEffectiveness: SOAR Partial
  • Architecture or Design ReviewAccording to SOAR [REF-1479], the following detection techniques may be useful: ``` Highly cost effective: ``` Formal Methods / Correct-By-Construction ``` Cost effective for partial coverage: ``` Inspection (IEEE 1028 standard) (can apply to requirements, design, source code, etc.)Effectiveness: High

Representative vulnerabilities

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These examples illustrate this CWE entry and are not an exhaustive list of related vulnerabilities.

  • CVE-2005-1941Executables installed world-writable.
  • CVE-2002-1713Home directories installed world-readable.
  • CVE-2001-1550World-writable log files allow information loss; world-readable file has cleartext passwords.
  • CVE-2002-1711World-readable directory.
  • CVE-2002-1844Windows product uses insecure permissions when installing on Solaris (genesis: port error).
  • CVE-2001-0497Insecure permissions for a shared secret key file. Overlaps cryptographic problem.
  • CVE-1999-0426Default permissions of a device allow IP spoofing.

Sources and references

References

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