Automated 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.)
CWE-183 Base Draft
Permissive List of Allowed Inputs
This vulnerability occurs when an application's security filter uses an allowlist that is too broad, mistakenly permitting dangerous inputs that should have been blocked. The flawed assumption that…
Definition
What is CWE-183?
This vulnerability occurs when an application's security filter uses an allowlist that is too broad, mistakenly permitting dangerous inputs that should have been blocked. The flawed assumption that everything on the list is safe creates a direct path for attackers to exploit the system.
An overly permissive allowlist is like a faulty bouncer at a club's door—it lets in troublemakers because the guest list isn't specific enough. Developers often create these lists to validate data like filenames, URLs, or user roles, but if the criteria are vague (e.g., allowing all files with a '.pdf' extension without checking the actual content), attackers can slip malicious payloads through. This bypasses the primary defense, leading to issues like command injection, path traversal, or cross-site scripting.
Preventing this requires strict, context-aware validation rules that go beyond simple pattern matching. You must understand the exact, legitimate data your feature needs and deny everything else by default. Managing this at scale across hundreds of APIs and filters is difficult; an ASPM like Plexicus can help you track and remediate these flawed allowlist policies across your entire application stack, ensuring your validation logic is consistently robust.
Auswirkungen in der Praxis
Real-world CVEs caused by CWE-183
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chain: bypass of untrusted deserialization issue (CWE-502) by using an assumed-trusted class (CWE-183)
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sandbox bypass using a method that is on an allowlist
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sandbox bypass using unsafe methods that are on an allowlist
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CI/CD pipeline feature has unsafe elements in allowlist, allowing bypass of script restrictions
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Default allowlist includes unsafe methods, allowing bypass of sandbox
Wie Angreifer es ausnutzen
Angreiferpfad Schritt für Schritt
- 1
Identifiziere einen Codepfad, der nicht vertrauenswürdige Eingaben ohne Validierung verarbeitet.
- 2
Erzeuge eine Payload, die das unsichere Verhalten auslöst — Injection, Traversal, Overflow oder Logik-Missbrauch.
- 3
Liefere die Payload über einen normalen Request aus und beobachte die Reaktion der Anwendung.
- 4
Iteriere, bis die Antwort Daten preisgibt, Angreifer-Code ausführt oder Berechtigungen eskaliert.
Verwundbares Codebeispiel
Vulnerable pseudo
MITRE hat kein Codebeispiel für diese CWE veröffentlicht. Das untenstehende Muster ist illustrativ — kanonische Referenzen findest du unter Ressourcen.
// 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
// 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-183
- Architecture Use safe-by-default frameworks and APIs that prevent the unsafe pattern from being expressible.
- Implementation Validate input at trust boundaries; use allowlists, not denylists.
- Implementation Apply the principle of least privilege to credentials, file paths, and runtime permissions.
- Testing Cover this weakness in CI: SAST rules + targeted unit tests for the data flow.
- Operation Monitor logs for the runtime signals listed in the next section.
Erkennungssignale
How to detect CWE-183
Plexicus erkennt CWE-183 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.
Häufig gestellte Fragen Was ist CWE-183?
Wie gravierend ist CWE-183?
Welche Sprachen oder Plattformen sind von CWE-183 betroffen?
Wie kann ich CWE-183 verhindern?
Wie erkennt und behebt Plexicus CWE-183?
Wo erfahre ich mehr über CWE-183?
Frequently asked questions
Was ist CWE-183?
This vulnerability occurs when an application's security filter uses an allowlist that is too broad, mistakenly permitting dangerous inputs that should have been blocked. The flawed assumption that everything on the list is safe creates a direct path for attackers to exploit the system.
Wie gravierend ist CWE-183?
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-183 betroffen?
MITRE hat für diese CWE keine betroffenen Plattformen spezifiziert — sie kann in den meisten Anwendungs-Stacks auftreten.
Wie kann ich CWE-183 verhindern?
Use safe-by-default frameworks, validate untrusted input at trust boundaries, and apply the principle of least privilege. Cover the data-flow signature in CI with SAST.
Wie erkennt und behebt Plexicus CWE-183?
Die SAST-Engine von Plexicus erkennt die Datenfluss-Signatur von CWE-183 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-183?
MITRE veröffentlicht die kanonische Definition unter https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/183.html. Für ergänzende Hinweise kannst du auch die OWASP- und NIST-Dokumentation heranziehen.
Verwandte Schwachstellen
Weaknesses related to CWE-183
CWE-697 Parent
Incorrect Comparison
This weakness occurs when a security-critical decision relies on a flawed comparison between two pieces of data. The incorrect logic can…
CWE-1023 Sibling
Incomplete Comparison with Missing Factors
This weakness occurs when a program compares two items but fails to check all the necessary attributes that define their true…
CWE-1024 Sibling
Comparison of Incompatible Types
This vulnerability occurs when code directly compares two values of fundamentally different data types, which can lead to unreliable or…
CWE-1025 Sibling
Comparison Using Wrong Factors
This weakness occurs when a program compares two items but checks the wrong properties or attributes. This flawed comparison leads to…
CWE-1039 Sibling
Inadequate Detection or Handling of Adversarial Input Perturbations in Automated Recognition Mechanism
This vulnerability occurs when a system uses automated AI or machine learning to classify complex inputs like images, audio, or text, but…
CWE-1077 Sibling
Floating Point Comparison with Incorrect Operator
This vulnerability occurs when code compares two floating-point numbers using direct equality operators (like == or !=) without accounting…
CWE-1254 Sibling
Incorrect Comparison Logic Granularity
This vulnerability occurs when a system compares sensitive data, like passwords or authentication tokens, piece-by-piece instead of as a…
CWE-185 Sibling
Incorrect Regular Expression
This vulnerability occurs when a regular expression is written incorrectly, causing it to match or validate data in unintended and…
CWE-581 Sibling
Object Model Violation: Just One of Equals and Hashcode Defined
This vulnerability occurs when a Java class defines either the equals() method or the hashCode() method, but not both, breaking a…
Ressourcen
Further reading
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