CWE-344 Base Borrador

Use of Invariant Value in Dynamically Changing Context

This vulnerability occurs when code uses a fixed, unchanging value (like a hardcoded string, number, or reference) in a situation where that value should actually be flexible and adapt to different…

Definición

What is CWE-344?

This vulnerability occurs when code uses a fixed, unchanging value (like a hardcoded string, number, or reference) in a situation where that value should actually be flexible and adapt to different runtime conditions or environments.
Developers often hardcode values like file paths, configuration settings, API endpoints, or cryptographic keys for simplicity during initial development. The problem arises when the application is deployed across different stages (like development, testing, and production) or for different users, as these invariant values fail to adjust. This forces the same static value to be used everywhere, which typically breaks functionality, exposes sensitive data, or creates security misconfigurations. To prevent this, you should externalize all environment-specific values into configuration files, environment variables, or secure secret management services. This practice, central to DevOps and secure CI/CD pipelines, ensures your application can dynamically pull the correct database credentials, service URLs, or feature flags for each specific deployment context without requiring code changes.
Impacto en el mundo real

Real-world CVEs caused by CWE-344

  • CVE-2002-0980

    Component for web browser writes an error message to a known location, which can then be referenced by attackers to process HTML/script in a less restrictive context

Cómo lo explotan los atacantes

Ruta del atacante paso a paso

  1. 1

    The following code is an example of an internal hard-coded password in the back-end:

  2. 2

    Every instance of this program can be placed into diagnostic mode with the same password. Even worse is the fact that if this program is distributed as a binary-only distribution, it is very difficult to change that password or disable this "functionality."

  3. 3

    This code assumes a particular function will always be found at a particular address. It assigns a pointer to that address and calls the function.

  4. 4

    The same function may not always be found at the same memory address. This could lead to a crash, or an attacker may alter the memory at the expected address, leading to arbitrary code execution.

Ejemplo de código vulnerable

Vulnerable C

The following code is an example of an internal hard-coded password in the back-end:

Vulnerable C 
int VerifyAdmin(char *password) {
  		if (strcmp(password, "Mew!")) {
  				 printf("Incorrect Password!\n");
  				return(0)
  		}
  		printf("Entering Diagnostic Mode...\n");
  		return(1);
  }
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-344

  • 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.
Señales de detección

How to detect CWE-344

SAST High

Ejecuta análisis estático (SAST) sobre el código buscando el patrón inseguro en el flujo de datos.

DAST Moderate

Ejecuta pruebas dinámicas de seguridad de aplicaciones (DAST) contra el endpoint en vivo.

Runtime Moderate

Vigila los logs en tiempo de ejecución para detectar trazas de excepción inusuales, entradas malformadas o intentos de bypass de autorización.

Code review Moderate

Revisión de código: marca cualquier código nuevo que maneje entrada desde esta superficie sin usar los helpers validados del framework.

Auto-corrección de Plexicus

Plexicus detecta automáticamente CWE-344 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.

Solicitar demo Probar Plexicus gratis
Preguntas frecuentes

Frequently asked questions

¿Qué es CWE-344?

This vulnerability occurs when code uses a fixed, unchanging value (like a hardcoded string, number, or reference) in a situation where that value should actually be flexible and adapt to different runtime conditions or environments.

¿Qué gravedad tiene CWE-344?

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-344?

MITRE no ha especificado plataformas afectadas para esta CWE — puede aplicar a la mayoría de los stacks de aplicaciones.

¿Cómo puedo prevenir CWE-344?

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.

¿Cómo detecta y corrige Plexicus CWE-344?

El motor SAST de Plexicus detecta la firma de flujo de datos para CWE-344 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-344?

MITRE publica la definición canónica en https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/344.html. También puedes consultar la documentación de OWASP y NIST para guías relacionadas.

Debilidades relacionadas

Weaknesses related to CWE-344

CWE-330 Padre

Use of Insufficiently Random Values

This vulnerability occurs when an application uses random values that are not sufficiently unpredictable in security-sensitive operations,…

CWE-1204 Hermano

Generation of Weak Initialization Vector (IV)

This vulnerability occurs when software uses a weak or predictable Initialization Vector (IV) for cryptographic operations. Many…

CWE-1241 Hermano

Use of Predictable Algorithm in Random Number Generator

This vulnerability occurs when a device or application relies on a predictable algorithm to generate pseudo-random numbers, making the…

CWE-331 Hermano

Insufficient Entropy

This vulnerability occurs when a system's random number generator or algorithm lacks sufficient unpredictability, creating patterns or…

CWE-334 Hermano

Small Space of Random Values

This vulnerability occurs when a system uses a random number generator that produces too few possible values. Attackers can easily predict…

CWE-335 Hermano

Incorrect Usage of Seeds in Pseudo-Random Number Generator (PRNG)

This vulnerability occurs when a Pseudo-Random Number Generator (PRNG) is used, but its initial seed value is not handled securely or…

CWE-338 Hermano

Use of Cryptographically Weak Pseudo-Random Number Generator (PRNG)

This vulnerability occurs when software uses a pseudo-random number generator (PRNG) that is not cryptographically strong for…

CWE-340 Hermano

Generation of Predictable Numbers or Identifiers

This vulnerability occurs when a system creates numbers or identifiers that are too easy to guess, undermining security mechanisms that…

CWE-323 Hijo

Reusing a Nonce, Key Pair in Encryption

This vulnerability occurs when a cryptographic nonce or key pair is reused, compromising the security of the encrypted data.

Recursos

Further reading

Listo cuando tú lo estés

Deja de pagar por desarrollador.
Empieza a cerrar el bucle.

Plexicus es el ASPM nativo de IA que escanea, filtra, corrige, pentestea y explica — de forma autónoma. Desarrolladores ilimitados, repos ilimitados, acciones de IA de uso justo. Nivel gratuito real, €269/mo anual cuando estés listo.

Comenzar gratis Reservar una demo