CWE-276: Incorrect Default Permissions

What is CWE-276?

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

Analyzing data...

Data statistics

OWASP TOP 10:2025 RANK1 — A01:2025 — Broken Access Control
RELATED CVES (365 DAYS)96
ABSTRACTIONBase
LIKELIHOOD OF EXPLOITMedium

Vulnerabilities mapped to CWE-276

96 vulnerabilities108.7% increase year over year

Vulnerabilities in CISA KEV for CWE-276

0 vulnerabilities

Official definition

ByMitre CWE

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

Characteristics

Modes of introduction

  • Architecture and Design
  • Implementation
  • Installation
  • Operation

Common consequences

ImpactScopeExplanation
Read Application Data, Modify Application DataConfidentiality, Integrity—

Risk mitigations

  1. Architecture and Design, OperationThe architecture needs to access and modification attributes for files to only those users who actually require those actions.
  2. Separation of Privilege · Architecture and DesignCompartmentalize 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

MethodApproachEffectiveness
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 AnalysisSOAR 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 & anomaliesSOAR 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 ScannersSOAR 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 ExecutionHigh
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 sourceHigh
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 AnalyzerSOAR Partial
Automated Static AnalysisAccording to SOAR [REF-1479], the following detection techniques may be useful: ``` Cost effective for partial coverage: ``` Configuration CheckerSOAR 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.)High

Representative vulnerabilities

Sources (3)

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