CWE-1328 Base Draft

Security Version Number Mutable to Older Versions

This vulnerability occurs when a hardware system's security version number can be changed, allowing an attacker to downgrade or roll back the boot firmware to older, vulnerable versions.

Definition

What is CWE-1328?

This vulnerability occurs when a hardware system's security version number can be changed, allowing an attacker to downgrade or roll back the boot firmware to older, vulnerable versions.
Modern System-on-Chip (SoC) designs often use a security version number to enforce secure or verified boot, preventing the installation of older firmware with known security flaws. If an attacker can modify this version counter, they can force a downgrade to a vulnerable version, opening the device to exploitation and completely bypassing the intended update protection. For protection to be effective, the security version number must be stored in a tamper-proof, persistent location that survives resets. The core weakness arises when this critical value is stored in mutable memory, allowing unauthorized roll-back attacks. In some cases, an attacker might even manipulate the version to block legitimate upgrades, creating a denial-of-service condition against security updates and leaving the SoC permanently vulnerable.
Auswirkungen in der Praxis

Real-world CVEs caused by CWE-1328

Bisher sind in MITREs Katalog keine öffentlichen CVE-Referenzen mit dieser CWE verknüpft.

Wie Angreifer es ausnutzen

Angreiferpfad Schritt für Schritt

  1. 1

    A new version of firmware is signed with a security version number higher than the previous version. During the firmware update process the SoC checks for the security version number and upgrades the SoC firmware with the latest version. This security version number is stored in persistent memory upon successful upgrade for use across power-on resets.

  2. 2

    In general, if the security version number is mutable, the implementation is vulnerable. A mutable security version number allows an adversary to change the security version to a lower value to allow roll-back or to a higher value to prevent future upgrades.

  3. 3

    The security version number should be stored in immutable hardware such as fuses, and the writes to these fuses should be highly access-controlled with appropriate authentication and authorization protections.

Verwundbares Codebeispiel

Vulnerable pseudo

MITRE hat kein Codebeispiel für diese CWE veröffentlicht. Das untenstehende Muster ist illustrativ — kanonische Referenzen findest du unter Ressourcen.

Verwundbar pseudo 
// Example pattern — see MITRE for the canonical references.
function handleRequest(input) {
  // Untrusted input flows directly into the sensitive sink.
  return executeUnsafe(input);
}
Sicheres Codebeispiel

Secure pseudo

Sicher pseudo 
// Validate, sanitize, or use a safe API before reaching the sink.
function handleRequest(input) {
  const safe = validateAndEscape(input);
  return executeWithGuards(safe);
}
What changed: the unsafe sink is replaced (or the input is validated/escaped) so the same payload no longer triggers the weakness.
Präventions-Checkliste

How to prevent CWE-1328

  • Architecture and Design When architecting the system, security version data should be designated for storage in registers that are either read-only or have access controls that prevent modification by an untrusted agent.
  • Implementation During implementation and test, security version data should be demonstrated to be read-only and access controls should be validated.
Erkennungssignale

How to detect CWE-1328

Automated Dynamic Analysis High

Mutability of stored security version numbers and programming with older firmware images should be part of automated testing.

Architecture or Design Review High

Anti-roll-back features should be reviewed as part of Architecture or Design review.

Plexicus Auto-Fix

Plexicus erkennt CWE-1328 automatisch und öffnet in unter 60 Sekunden einen Fix-PR.

Codex Remedium scannt jeden Commit, identifiziert genau diese Schwachstelle und liefert einen reviewer-ready Pull Request mit dem Patch. Keine Tickets. Keine Hand-offs.

Demo anfordern Plexicus kostenlos testen
Häufig gestellte Fragen

Frequently asked questions

Was ist CWE-1328?

This vulnerability occurs when a hardware system's security version number can be changed, allowing an attacker to downgrade or roll back the boot firmware to older, vulnerable versions.

Wie gravierend ist CWE-1328?

MITRE hat für diese Schwachstelle keine Exploit-Wahrscheinlichkeit veröffentlicht. Behandle sie als mittlere Auswirkung, bis dein Threat Model anderes belegt.

Welche Sprachen oder Plattformen sind von CWE-1328 betroffen?

MITRE lists the following affected platforms: Not OS-Specific, Not Architecture-Specific, Security Hardware, Not Technology-Specific.

Wie kann ich CWE-1328 verhindern?

When architecting the system, security version data should be designated for storage in registers that are either read-only or have access controls that prevent modification by an untrusted agent. During implementation and test, security version data should be demonstrated to be read-only and access controls should be validated.

Wie erkennt und behebt Plexicus CWE-1328?

Die SAST-Engine von Plexicus erkennt die Datenfluss-Signatur von CWE-1328 bei jedem Commit. Bei einem Treffer öffnet unser Codex-Remedium-Agent einen Fix-PR mit korrigiertem Code, Tests und einer einzeiligen Zusammenfassung für den Reviewer.

Wo erfahre ich mehr über CWE-1328?

MITRE veröffentlicht die kanonische Definition unter https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/1328.html. Für ergänzende Hinweise kannst du auch die OWASP- und NIST-Dokumentation heranziehen.

Verwandte Schwachstellen

Weaknesses related to CWE-1328

CWE-285 Parent

Improper Authorization

This vulnerability occurs when an application fails to properly verify whether a user has permission to access specific data or perform…

CWE-1230 Sibling

Exposure of Sensitive Information Through Metadata

This vulnerability occurs when an application protects the primary source of sensitive data but fails to secure the metadata derived from…

CWE-1256 Sibling

Improper Restriction of Software Interfaces to Hardware Features

This vulnerability occurs when a system's software interfaces to hardware features—like power, clock, or performance management—are not…

CWE-1297 Sibling

Unprotected Confidential Information on Device is Accessible by OSAT Vendors

This vulnerability occurs when a semiconductor chip does not properly secure sensitive data, making it accessible to third-party…

CWE-552 Sibling

Files or Directories Accessible to External Parties

This vulnerability occurs when an application exposes files or directories to users who shouldn't have access to them.

CWE-732 Sibling

Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource

This vulnerability occurs when a system grants overly permissive access to a sensitive resource, allowing unauthorized users or processes…

CWE-862 Sibling

Missing Authorization

This vulnerability occurs when an application fails to verify whether a user has permission to access specific data or execute certain…

CWE-863 Sibling

Incorrect Authorization

This vulnerability occurs when an application checks if a user is allowed to perform an action or access data, but the check is flawed or…

CWE-926 Sibling

Improper Export of Android Application Components

This vulnerability occurs when an Android app makes a component (like an Activity, Service, or Content Provider) available to other apps…

Ressourcen

Further reading

Bereit, wenn du es bist

Schluss mit dem Bezahlen pro Entwickler.
Schließ den Kreislauf.

Plexicus ist die KI-native ASPM, die scannt, filtert, fixt, pentestet und erklärt — autonom. Unbegrenzte Entwickler, unbegrenzte Repos, Fair-Use-KI-Aktionen. Echter kostenloser Tarif, €269/mo jährlich, wenn du bereit bist.

Kostenlos starten Demo buchen