CWE-1283 Base Incomplete

Mutable Attestation or Measurement Reporting Data

This vulnerability occurs when the hardware registers storing boot integrity measurements can be altered by an attacker, allowing them to forge verification data and hide a compromised boot process.

Definition

What is CWE-1283?

This vulnerability occurs when the hardware registers storing boot integrity measurements can be altered by an attacker, allowing them to forge verification data and hide a compromised boot process.
In secure boot implementations, a System-on-Chip (SoC) typically verifies and measures each piece of code it loads during startup. This measurement is created by calculating a cryptographic hash of the code and combining it with previous measurements, building a verifiable chain of trust. The final hash value, stored in dedicated hardware registers, should provide an unforgeable record of everything that executed. However, if these measurement registers are not properly protected, they become the weak link in the chain. When an adversary can directly modify these register contents, they can replace the legitimate measurement with a fake value that matches their malicious code. This allows them to spoof attestation reports and verification checks, making a compromised device appear trustworthy. The core issue is that the hardware provides mutable storage for what should be immutable evidence, breaking the fundamental security guarantee of measured boot.
Real-world impact

Real-world CVEs caused by CWE-1283

No public CVE references are linked to this CWE in MITRE's catalog yet.

How attackers exploit it

Step-by-step attacker path

  1. 1

    Identify a code path that handles untrusted input without validation.

  2. 2

    Craft a payload that exercises the unsafe behavior — injection, traversal, overflow, or logic abuse.

  3. 3

    Deliver the payload through a normal request and observe the application's reaction.

  4. 4

    Iterate until the response leaks data, executes attacker code, or escalates privileges.

Vulnerable code example

Vulnerable pseudo

MITRE has not published a code example for this CWE. The pattern below is illustrative — see Resources for canonical references.

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

Secure pseudo

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.
Prevention checklist

How to prevent CWE-1283

  • Architecture and Design Measurement data should be stored in registers that are read-only or otherwise have access controls that prevent modification by an untrusted agent.
Detection signals

How to detect CWE-1283

SAST High

Run static analysis (SAST) on the codebase looking for the unsafe pattern in the data flow.

DAST Moderate

Run dynamic application security testing against the live endpoint.

Runtime Moderate

Watch runtime logs for unusual exception traces, malformed input, or authorization bypass attempts.

Code review Moderate

Code review: flag any new code that handles input from this surface without using the validated framework helpers.

Plexicus auto-fix

Plexicus auto-detects CWE-1283 and opens a fix PR in under 60 seconds.

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Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

What is CWE-1283?

This vulnerability occurs when the hardware registers storing boot integrity measurements can be altered by an attacker, allowing them to forge verification data and hide a compromised boot process.

How serious is CWE-1283?

MITRE has not published a likelihood-of-exploit rating for this weakness. Treat it as medium-impact until your threat model proves otherwise.

What languages or platforms are affected by CWE-1283?

MITRE lists the following affected platforms: Not OS-Specific, Not Architecture-Specific, Not Technology-Specific.

How can I prevent CWE-1283?

Measurement data should be stored in registers that are read-only or otherwise have access controls that prevent modification by an untrusted agent.

How does Plexicus detect and fix CWE-1283?

Plexicus's SAST engine matches the data-flow signature for CWE-1283 on every commit. When a match is found, our Codex Remedium agent opens a fix PR with the corrected code, tests, and a one-line summary for the reviewer.

Where can I learn more about CWE-1283?

MITRE publishes the canonical definition at https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/1283.html. You can also reference OWASP and NIST documentation for adjacent guidance.

Related weaknesses

Weaknesses related to CWE-1283

CWE-284 Parent

Improper Access Control

The software fails to properly limit who can access a resource, allowing unauthorized users or systems to interact with it.

CWE-1191 Sibling

On-Chip Debug and Test Interface With Improper Access Control

This vulnerability occurs when a hardware chip's debug or test interface (like JTAG) lacks proper access controls. Without correct…

CWE-1220 Sibling

Insufficient Granularity of Access Control

This vulnerability occurs when a system's access controls are too broad, allowing unauthorized users or processes to read or modify…

CWE-1224 Sibling

Improper Restriction of Write-Once Bit Fields

This vulnerability occurs when hardware write-once protection mechanisms, often called 'sticky bits,' are incorrectly implemented,…

CWE-1231 Sibling

Improper Prevention of Lock Bit Modification

This vulnerability occurs when hardware or firmware uses a lock bit to protect critical system registers or memory regions, but fails to…

CWE-1233 Sibling

Security-Sensitive Hardware Controls with Missing Lock Bit Protection

This vulnerability occurs when a hardware device uses a lock bit to protect critical configuration registers, but the lock fails to…

CWE-1252 Sibling

CPU Hardware Not Configured to Support Exclusivity of Write and Execute Operations

This vulnerability occurs when a CPU's hardware is not set up to enforce a strict separation between writing data to memory and executing…

CWE-1257 Sibling

Improper Access Control Applied to Mirrored or Aliased Memory Regions

This vulnerability occurs when a hardware design maps the same physical memory to multiple addresses (aliasing or mirroring) but fails to…

CWE-1259 Sibling

Improper Restriction of Security Token Assignment

This vulnerability occurs when a System-on-a-Chip (SoC) fails to properly secure its Security Token mechanism. These tokens control which…

Resources

Further reading

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