CWE-471

Modification of Assumed-Immutable Data (MAID)

Weakness Description

The product does not properly protect an assumed-immutable element from being modified by an attacker.

This occurs when a particular input is critical enough to the functioning of the application that it should not be modifiable at all, but it is. Certain resources are often assumed to be immutable when they are not, such as hidden form fields in web applications, cookies, and reverse DNS lookups.

Potential Mitigations

Architecture and DesignOperationImplementation

When the data is stored or transmitted through untrusted sources that could modify the data, implement integrity checks to detect unauthorized modification, or store/transmit the data in a trusted location that is free from external influence.

Common Consequences

Integrity
Modify Application Data

Common data types that are attacked are environment variables, web application parameters, and HTTP headers.

Integrity
Unexpected State
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