CWE-595 Variant Incomplete

Comparison of Object References Instead of Object Contents

This vulnerability occurs when code incorrectly checks if two object references point to the same memory location, rather than comparing the actual data or values contained within the objects. This…

Definition

What is CWE-595?

This vulnerability occurs when code incorrectly checks if two object references point to the same memory location, rather than comparing the actual data or values contained within the objects. This mistake prevents the software from correctly identifying when two separate objects hold equivalent content.
In many programming languages, the default comparison operator (like `==` in Java or `is` in Python) checks for *reference equality*. This means it only returns true if both variables point to the exact same object in memory. To properly compare the internal state or data of two objects, you must use a method designed for *value equality*, such as `.equals()` in Java, `.equals()` or value comparators in C#, or overriding the `==` operator in languages that support it. This is a common pitfall, especially with strings and collections. For instance, using `==` on two Java `String` objects with the same text will often fail because they are distinct objects in memory. Developers must be intentional about their comparison logic, choosing the correct method based on whether they need to verify object identity or object content, as using the wrong check leads to flawed program logic and unexpected behavior.
Auswirkungen in der Praxis

Real-world CVEs caused by CWE-595

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

Wie Angreifer es ausnutzen

Angreiferpfad Schritt für Schritt

  1. 1

    In the example below, two Java String objects are declared and initialized with the same string values. An if statement is used to determine if the strings are equivalent.

  2. 2

    However, the if statement will not be executed as the strings are compared using the "==" operator. For Java objects, such as String objects, the "==" operator compares object references, not object values. While the two String objects above contain the same string values, they refer to different object references, so the System.out.println statement will not be executed. To compare object values, the previous code could be modified to use the equals method:

  3. 3

    In the following Java example, two BankAccount objects are compared in the isSameAccount method using the == operator.

  4. 4

    Using the == operator to compare objects may produce incorrect or deceptive results by comparing object references rather than values. The equals() method should be used to ensure correct results or objects should contain a member variable that uniquely identifies the object.

  5. 5

    The following example shows the use of the equals() method to compare the BankAccount objects and the next example uses a class get method to retrieve the bank account number that uniquely identifies the BankAccount object to compare the objects.

Verwundbares Codebeispiel

Vulnerable Java

In the example below, two Java String objects are declared and initialized with the same string values. An if statement is used to determine if the strings are equivalent.

Verwundbar Java 
String str1 = new String("Hello");
  String str2 = new String("Hello");
  if (str1 == str2) {
  	System.out.println("str1 == str2");
  }
Sicheres Codebeispiel

Secure Java

However, the if statement will not be executed as the strings are compared using the "==" operator. For Java objects, such as String objects, the "==" operator compares object references, not object values. While the two String objects above contain the same string values, they refer to different object references, so the System.out.println statement will not be executed. To compare object values, the previous code could be modified to use the equals method:

Sicher Java 
if (str1.equals(str2)) {
  	System.out.println("str1 equals str2");
  }
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-595

  • Implementation In Java, use the equals() method to compare objects instead of the == operator. If using ==, it is important for performance reasons that your objects are created by a static factory, not by a constructor.
Erkennungssignale

How to detect CWE-595

Automated Static Analysis High

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.)

Plexicus Auto-Fix

Plexicus erkennt CWE-595 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.

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Häufig gestellte Fragen

Frequently asked questions

Was ist CWE-595?

This vulnerability occurs when code incorrectly checks if two object references point to the same memory location, rather than comparing the actual data or values contained within the objects. This mistake prevents the software from correctly identifying when two separate objects hold equivalent content.

Wie gravierend ist CWE-595?

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-595 betroffen?

MITRE lists the following affected platforms: Java, JavaScript, PHP.

Wie kann ich CWE-595 verhindern?

In Java, use the equals() method to compare objects instead of the == operator. If using ==, it is important for performance reasons that your objects are created by a static factory, not by a constructor.

Wie erkennt und behebt Plexicus CWE-595?

Die SAST-Engine von Plexicus erkennt die Datenfluss-Signatur von CWE-595 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-595?

MITRE veröffentlicht die kanonische Definition unter https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/595.html. Für ergänzende Hinweise kannst du auch die OWASP- und NIST-Dokumentation heranziehen.

Verwandte Schwachstellen

Weaknesses related to CWE-595

CWE-1025 Parent

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-486 Sibling

Comparison of Classes by Name

This vulnerability occurs when an application determines an object's trustworthiness or behavior solely by checking its class name. Since…

CWE-1097 Child

Persistent Storable Data Element without Associated Comparison Control Element

This weakness occurs when a persistent data object lacks the necessary methods to be properly compared, which can lead to inconsistent or…

CWE-597 Child

Use of Wrong Operator in String Comparison

This vulnerability occurs when a developer incorrectly compares string values, typically by using reference equality operators (like == or…

Ressourcen

Further reading

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