CWE-326: Inadequate Encryption Strength

What is CWE-326?

CWE-326 is Inadequate Encryption Strength. The flaw arises when the product stores or transmits sensitive data using an encryption scheme that is theoretically sound, but is not strong enough for the level of protection required. The database currently holds 30 vulnerabilities mapped to CWE-326 and none of them are in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

OWASP TOP 10:2025 RANK4 — A04:2025 — Cryptographic Failures
Related CVES (365 days)30
AbstractionClass
Likelihood of exploit-

Vulnerabilities mapped to CWE-326

30 vulnerabilities200% increase year over year

No data

No vulnerability data in CISA KEV for CWE-326

Official definition

ByMitre CWE

The product stores or transmits sensitive data using an encryption scheme that is theoretically sound, but is not strong enough for the level of protection required.

A weak encryption scheme can be subjected to brute force attacks that have a reasonable chance of succeeding using current attack methods and resources.

Characteristics

Modes of introduction

  • Architecture and Design: COMMISSION: This weakness refers to an incorrect design related to an architectural security tactic.

Common consequences

ImpactScopeExplanation
Bypass Protection Mechanism, Read Application DataAccess Control, ConfidentialityAn attacker may be able to decrypt the data using brute force attacks.

Risk mitigations

  1. Architecture and DesignUse an encryption scheme that is currently considered to be strong by experts in the field.

Detection methods

MethodApproachEffectiveness
Automated Static AnalysisAutomated static analysis, commonly referred to as Static Application Security Testing (SAST), can find some instances of this weakness by analyzing source code (or binary/compiled code) without having to execute it. Typically, this is done by building a model of data flow and control flow, then searching for potentially-vulnerable patterns that connect "sources" (origins of input) with "sinks" (destinations where the data interacts with external components, a lower layer such as the OS, etc.)High

Representative vulnerabilities

Below are representative vulnerabilities related to this CWE, prioritized by severity.

Sources (2)
MITRE CWE
CWE Terms of Use

Supporting documents

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