Create a new installable boot image of the current build with a minor version number change. Use the standard installation method to update the boot image. Verify that the minor version number has changed. Create a fake image. Verify that the boot updater will not install the fake image and generates an "invalid image" error message or equivalent.
CWE-1277 Base Draft
Firmware Not Updateable
This vulnerability occurs when a hardware product lacks a mechanism for users to install firmware updates, leaving known security flaws permanently unpatched.
Definition
What is CWE-1277?
This vulnerability occurs when a hardware product lacks a mechanism for users to install firmware updates, leaving known security flaws permanently unpatched.
When firmware cannot be updated, every security vulnerability discovered after manufacture becomes a permanent, unfixable flaw in the device. This exposes users to potential exploitation for the entire lifespan of the product—which could span decades—effectively locking in security risks.
While network-level protections or monitoring can offer some external mitigation, they cannot address the core vulnerability within the device itself. This limitation places the long-term security burden entirely on the user and highlights a critical design failure in the product's lifecycle management.
Real-world impact
Real-world CVEs caused by CWE-1277
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Chain: network-attached storage (NAS) device has a critical OS command injection (CWE-78) vulnerability that is actively exploited to place IoT devices into a botnet, but some products are "end-of-support" and cannot be patched (CWE-1277). [REF-1097]
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A hardware "smart lock" has weak key generation that allows attackers to steal the key by BLE sniffing, but the device's firmware cannot be upgraded and hence remains vulnerable [REF-1095].
How attackers exploit it
Step-by-step attacker path
- 1
Identify a code path that handles untrusted input without validation.
- 2
Craft a payload that exercises the unsafe behavior — injection, traversal, overflow, or logic abuse.
- 3
Deliver the payload through a normal request and observe the application's reaction.
- 4
Iterate until the response leaks data, executes attacker code, or escalates privileges.
Vulnerable code example
Vulnerable Other
A refrigerator has an Internet interface for the official purpose of alerting the manufacturer when that refrigerator detects a fault. Because the device is attached to the Internet, the refrigerator is a target for hackers who may wish to use the device other potentially more nefarious purposes.
The refrigerator has no means of patching and is hacked becoming a spewer of email spam. Secure code example
Secure Other
The device automatically patches itself and provides considerable more protection against being hacked. What changed: the unsafe sink is replaced (or the input is validated/escaped) so the same payload no longer triggers the weakness.
Prevention checklist
How to prevent CWE-1277
- Requirements Specify requirements to include the ability to update the firmware. Include integrity checks and authentication to ensure that untrusted firmware cannot be installed.
- Architecture and Design Design the device to allow for updating the firmware. Ensure that the design specifies how to distribute the updates and ensure their integrity and authentication.
- Implementation Implement the necessary functionality to allow the firmware to be updated.
Detection signals
How to detect CWE-1277
Check the consumer or maintainer documentation, the architecture/design documentation, or the original requirements to ensure that the documentation includes details for how to update the firmware.
Determine if there is a lack of a capability to update read-only memory (ROM) structure. This could manifest as a difference between the latest firmware version and the current version within the device.
CWE-1277
Don't catalog this weakness. Prove it's reachable.
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Frequently asked questions What is CWE-1277?
How serious is CWE-1277?
What languages or platforms are affected by CWE-1277?
How can I prevent CWE-1277?
How does Plexicus detect and fix CWE-1277?
Where can I learn more about CWE-1277?
Frequently asked questions
What is CWE-1277?
This vulnerability occurs when a hardware product lacks a mechanism for users to install firmware updates, leaving known security flaws permanently unpatched.
How serious is CWE-1277?
MITRE has not published a likelihood-of-exploit rating for this weakness. Treat it as medium-impact until your threat model proves otherwise.
What languages or platforms are affected by CWE-1277?
MITRE lists the following affected platforms: Not OS-Specific, Not Architecture-Specific, Not Technology-Specific.
How can I prevent CWE-1277?
Specify requirements to include the ability to update the firmware. Include integrity checks and authentication to ensure that untrusted firmware cannot be installed. Design the device to allow for updating the firmware. Ensure that the design specifies how to distribute the updates and ensure their integrity and authentication.
How does Plexicus detect and fix CWE-1277?
Plexicus's SAST engine matches the data-flow signature for CWE-1277 on every commit. When a match is found, our Codex Remedium agent opens a fix PR with the corrected code, tests, and a one-line summary for the reviewer.
Where can I learn more about CWE-1277?
MITRE publishes the canonical definition at https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/1277.html. You can also reference OWASP and NIST documentation for adjacent guidance.
Related weaknesses
Weaknesses related to CWE-1277
CWE-1329 Parent
Reliance on Component That is Not Updateable
This vulnerability occurs when a product depends on a component that cannot be updated or patched to fix security flaws or critical bugs.
CWE-1310 Sibling
Missing Ability to Patch ROM Code
A system or System-on-Chip (SoC) lacks a mechanism to update its initial boot code stored in Read-Only Memory (ROM), permanently exposing…
Resources
Further reading
- MITRE — official CWE-1277 https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/1277.html
- Bad news: KeyWe Smart Lock is easily bypassed and can't be fixed https://www.theregister.com/2019/12/11/f_secure_keywe/
- Alarm bells ring, the IoT is listening https://www.computerweekly.com/news/252475324/Alarm-bells-ring-the-IoT-is-listening
- Zyxel Flaw Powers New Mirai IoT Botnet Strain https://krebsonsecurity.com/2020/03/zxyel-flaw-powers-new-mirai-iot-botnet-strain/
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