CWE-1338 Base Borrador

Improper Protections Against Hardware Overheating

This vulnerability occurs when a hardware device lacks sufficient safeguards to prevent dangerous temperature increases during operation.

Definición

What is CWE-1338?

This vulnerability occurs when a hardware device lacks sufficient safeguards to prevent dangerous temperature increases during operation.
All electronic devices generate heat as a byproduct of their operation. Faster processors and higher power draw create more thermal energy. Without built-in protections like temperature sensors, adequate cooling, or power throttling, this heat can build up uncontrollably. Malicious software can exploit this by forcing the hardware into high-performance states, deliberately triggering overheating to cause a temporary malfunction or permanent physical damage—a technique known as a thermal denial-of-service attack. The consequences extend beyond security, impacting device safety and long-term reliability. While similar issues exist for overvoltage or overcurrent conditions, overheating is uniquely tied to normal hardware activity. It's important to note that while these protections guard against operational heat, they do not address separate failure modes like battery malfunctions, which require their own mitigation strategies.
Impacto en el mundo real

Real-world CVEs caused by CWE-1338

Todavía no hay CVEs públicos enlazados a esta CWE en el catálogo de MITRE.

Cómo lo explotan los atacantes

Ruta del atacante paso a paso

  1. 1

    Malicious software running on a core can execute instructions that consume maximum power or increase core frequency. Such a power-virus program could execute on the platform for an extended time to overheat the device, resulting in permanent damage.

  2. 2

    Execution core and platform do not support thermal sensors, performance throttling, or platform-cooling countermeasures to ensure that any software executing on the system cannot cause overheating past the maximum allowable temperature.

  3. 3

    The platform and SoC should have failsafe thermal limits that are enforced by thermal sensors that trigger critical temperature alerts when high temperature is detected. Upon detection of high temperatures, the platform should trigger cooling or shutdown automatically.

Ejemplo de código vulnerable

Vulnerable pseudo

MITRE no ha publicado un ejemplo de código para esta CWE. El patrón siguiente es ilustrativo — consulta Recursos para referencias canónicas.

Vulnerable pseudo 
// Example pattern — see MITRE for the canonical references.
function handleRequest(input) {
  // Untrusted input flows directly into the sensitive sink.
  return executeUnsafe(input);
}
Ejemplo de código seguro

Secure pseudo

Seguro 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.
Lista de prevención

How to prevent CWE-1338

  • Architecture and Design Temperature maximum and minimum limits should be enforced using thermal sensors both in silicon and at the platform level.
  • Implementation The platform should support cooling solutions such as fans that can be modulated based on device-operation needs to maintain a stable temperature.
Señales de detección

How to detect CWE-1338

Dynamic Analysis with Manual Results Interpretation High

Dynamic tests should be performed to stress-test temperature controls.

Architecture or Design Review High

Power management controls should be part of Architecture and Design reviews.

Auto-corrección de Plexicus

Plexicus detecta automáticamente CWE-1338 y abre un PR de corrección en menos de 60 segundos.

Codex Remedium escanea cada commit, identifica esta debilidad concreta y entrega un pull request listo para revisión con el parche. Sin tickets. Sin traspasos.

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Preguntas frecuentes

Frequently asked questions

¿Qué es CWE-1338?

This vulnerability occurs when a hardware device lacks sufficient safeguards to prevent dangerous temperature increases during operation.

¿Qué gravedad tiene CWE-1338?

MITRE no ha publicado una calificación de probabilidad de explotación para esta debilidad. Trátala como de impacto medio hasta que tu modelo de amenazas demuestre lo contrario.

¿Qué lenguajes o plataformas se ven afectados por CWE-1338?

MITRE lists the following affected platforms: Not OS-Specific, Not Architecture-Specific, Not Technology-Specific, ICS/OT, Power Management Hardware, Processor Hardware.

¿Cómo puedo prevenir CWE-1338?

Temperature maximum and minimum limits should be enforced using thermal sensors both in silicon and at the platform level. The platform should support cooling solutions such as fans that can be modulated based on device-operation needs to maintain a stable temperature.

¿Cómo detecta y corrige Plexicus CWE-1338?

El motor SAST de Plexicus detecta la firma de flujo de datos para CWE-1338 en cada commit. Cuando hay coincidencia, nuestro agente Codex Remedium abre un PR de corrección con el código corregido, las pruebas y un resumen de una línea para el revisor.

¿Dónde puedo aprender más sobre CWE-1338?

MITRE publica la definición canónica en https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/1338.html. También puedes consultar la documentación de OWASP y NIST para guías relacionadas.

Debilidades relacionadas

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Recursos

Further reading

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