CWE-698 Base Incomplet

Execution After Redirect (EAR)

Execution After Redirect (EAR) occurs when a web application sends a redirect response to a user's browser but continues to run server-side code, potentially performing unintended actions.

Définition

What is CWE-698?

Execution After Redirect (EAR) occurs when a web application sends a redirect response to a user's browser but continues to run server-side code, potentially performing unintended actions.
This vulnerability happens because the server-side logic doesn't properly halt execution after issuing a redirect command (like an HTTP 302 or 303 status). Instead of stopping, the application proceeds to execute the remaining code in the script or function. This leftover code can perform dangerous operations like updating databases, processing payments, or changing user sessions, even though the user is already being sent to a new page. From a security perspective, EAR is dangerous because an attacker can often interrupt or ignore the redirect. By using tools or crafting requests, they can let the redirect happen in the browser while still receiving and acting upon the results of the unauthorized server-side execution. To prevent this, developers must ensure the application flow terminates immediately after sending a redirect, typically by using explicit return or exit statements in the code.
Impact réel

Real-world CVEs caused by CWE-698

  • CVE-2013-1402

    Execution-after-redirect allows access to application configuration details.

  • CVE-2009-1936

    chain: library file sends a redirect if it is directly requested but continues to execute, allowing remote file inclusion and path traversal.

  • CVE-2007-2713

    Remote attackers can obtain access to administrator functionality through EAR.

  • CVE-2007-4932

    Remote attackers can obtain access to administrator functionality through EAR.

  • CVE-2007-5578

    Bypass of authentication step through EAR.

  • CVE-2007-2713

    Chain: Execution after redirect triggers eval injection.

  • CVE-2007-6652

    chain: execution after redirect allows non-administrator to perform static code injection.

Comment les attaquants l'exploitent

Parcours de l'attaquant étape par étape

  1. 1

    Identifier un chemin de code qui traite des entrées non fiables sans validation.

  2. 2

    Élaborer une charge utile qui exploite le comportement non sécurisé — injection, traversal, débordement ou abus de logique.

  3. 3

    Délivrer la charge utile via une requête normale et observer la réaction de l'application.

  4. 4

    Itérer jusqu'à ce que la réponse divulgue des données, exécute le code de l'attaquant ou élève les privilèges.

Exemple de code vulnérable

Vulnerable PHP

This code queries a server and displays its status when a request comes from an authorized IP address.

Vulnérable PHP 
$requestingIP = $_SERVER['REMOTE_ADDR'];
  if(!in_array($requestingIP,$ipAllowList)){
  	echo "You are not authorized to view this page";
  	http_redirect($errorPageURL);
  }
  $status = getServerStatus();
  echo $status;
```
...*
Exemple de code sécurisé

Secure pseudo

Sécurisé 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.
Liste de contrôle de prévention

How to prevent CWE-698

  • 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.
Signaux de détection

How to detect CWE-698

Black Box

This issue might not be detected if testing is performed using a web browser, because the browser might obey the redirect and move the user to a different page before the application has produced outputs that indicate something is amiss.

Correction automatique Plexicus

Plexicus détecte automatiquement CWE-698 et ouvre une PR de correction en moins de 60 secondes.

Codex Remedium analyse chaque commit, identifie cette faiblesse précise et livre une pull request prête à être relue avec le correctif. Pas de tickets. Pas de transferts.

Obtenir une démo Essayer Plexicus gratuitement
Questions fréquentes

Frequently asked questions

Qu'est-ce que CWE-698 ?

Execution After Redirect (EAR) occurs when a web application sends a redirect response to a user's browser but continues to run server-side code, potentially performing unintended actions.

Quelle est la gravité de CWE-698 ?

MITRE n'a pas publié de note de probabilité d'exploitation pour cette faiblesse. Traitez-la comme un impact moyen jusqu'à ce que votre modèle de menace prouve le contraire.

Quels langages ou plateformes sont affectés par CWE-698 ?

MITRE n'a pas spécifié les plateformes affectées pour ce CWE — il peut s'appliquer à la plupart des stacks applicatives.

Comment puis-je prévenir CWE-698 ?

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.

Comment Plexicus détecte et corrige CWE-698 ?

Le moteur SAST de Plexicus reconnaît la signature de flux de données de CWE-698 à chaque commit. Lorsqu'une correspondance est trouvée, notre agent Codex Remedium ouvre une PR de correction avec le code corrigé, les tests et un résumé d'une ligne pour le relecteur.

Où puis-je en savoir plus sur CWE-698 ?

MITRE publie la définition canonique à https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/698.html. Vous pouvez également consulter la documentation OWASP et NIST pour des conseils adjacents.

Faiblesses associées

Weaknesses related to CWE-698

CWE-705 Parent

Incorrect Control Flow Scoping

This vulnerability occurs when a program fails to return execution to the correct point in the code after finishing a specific operation…

CWE-248 Frère

Uncaught Exception

This vulnerability occurs when a function throws an error or exception, but the calling code does not have a proper handler to catch and…

CWE-382 Frère

J2EE Bad Practices: Use of System.exit()

This vulnerability occurs when a J2EE application directly calls System.exit(), which forcibly terminates the entire application server…

CWE-395 Frère

Use of NullPointerException Catch to Detect NULL Pointer Dereference

Using a try-catch block for NullPointerException as a substitute for proper null checks is an anti-pattern. This approach masks the root…

CWE-396 Frère

Declaration of Catch for Generic Exception

This weakness occurs when code catches a generic exception type like 'Exception' or 'Throwable', which can hide specific errors and create…

CWE-397 Frère

Declaration of Throws for Generic Exception

This vulnerability occurs when a method is declared to throw an overly broad exception type, such as a generic 'Exception' or 'Throwable'.…

CWE-455 Frère

Non-exit on Failed Initialization

This vulnerability occurs when software continues to run as normal after encountering a critical security failure during its startup…

CWE-584 Frère

Return Inside Finally Block

This vulnerability occurs when a function places a return statement inside a finally block. This dangerous pattern silently discards any…

Ressources

Further reading

Prêt quand vous l'êtes

Arrêtez de payer par développeur.
Commencez à fermer la boucle.

Plexicus est l'ASPM natif IA qui scanne, filtre, corrige, penteste et explique — de façon autonome. Développeurs illimités, dépôts illimités, actions IA à usage équitable. Vrai niveau gratuit, €269/mo annuel quand vous êtes prêt.

Commencer gratuitement Réserver une démo