CWE-1295 Base Incomplete

Debug Messages Revealing Unnecessary Information

The product's debug messages or logs expose excessive internal system details, potentially revealing sensitive information that could aid an attacker.

Definition

What is CWE-1295?

The product's debug messages or logs expose excessive internal system details, potentially revealing sensitive information that could aid an attacker.
Debug messages are essential for developers to diagnose issues by showing the system's internal state, such as memory dumps, boot logs, or low-level hardware data exposed through interfaces like UART or scan chains. While more detailed logs make troubleshooting easier, they also risk exposing information that could help an attacker identify vulnerabilities or understand the system's architecture. Relying solely on hiding information (security through obscurity) is not a safe strategy, but it can be a useful layer within a broader defense-in-depth approach. Unnecessary details in debug output lower this protective layer, making it easier for attackers to piece together an attack even when other security controls are in place.
Real-world impact

Real-world CVEs caused by CWE-1295

  • CVE-2021-25476

    Digital Rights Management (DRM) capability for mobile platform leaks pointer information, simplifying ASLR bypass

  • CVE-2020-24491

    Processor generates debug message that contains sensitive information ("addresses of memory transactions").

  • CVE-2017-18326

    modem debug messages include cryptographic keys

How attackers exploit it

Step-by-step attacker path

  1. 1

    This example here shows how an attacker can take advantage of unnecessary information in debug messages.

  2. 2

    Example 1: Suppose in response to a Test Access Port (TAP) chaining request the debug message also reveals the current TAP hierarchy (the full topology) in addition to the success/failure message.

  3. 3

    Example 2: In response to a password-filling request, the debug message, instead of a simple Granted/Denied response, prints an elaborate message, "The user-entered password does not match the actual password stored in ."

  4. 4

    The result of the above examples is that the user is able to gather additional unauthorized information about the system from the debug messages.

  5. 5

    The solution is to ensure that Debug messages do not reveal additional details.

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-1295

  • Implementation Ensure that a debug message does not reveal any unnecessary information during the debug process for the intended response.
Detection signals

How to detect CWE-1295

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-1295 and opens a fix PR in under 60 seconds.

Codex Remedium scans every commit, identifies this exact weakness, and ships a reviewer-ready pull request with the patch. No tickets. No hand-offs.

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Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

What is CWE-1295?

The product's debug messages or logs expose excessive internal system details, potentially revealing sensitive information that could aid an attacker.

How serious is CWE-1295?

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-1295?

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

How can I prevent CWE-1295?

Ensure that a debug message does not reveal any unnecessary information during the debug process for the intended response.

How does Plexicus detect and fix CWE-1295?

Plexicus's SAST engine matches the data-flow signature for CWE-1295 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-1295?

MITRE publishes the canonical definition at https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/1295.html. You can also reference OWASP and NIST documentation for adjacent guidance.

Related weaknesses

Weaknesses related to CWE-1295

CWE-200 Parent

Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor

This weakness occurs when an application unintentionally reveals sensitive data to someone who shouldn't have access to it.

CWE-1258 Sibling

Exposure of Sensitive System Information Due to Uncleared Debug Information

This vulnerability occurs when hardware fails to erase sensitive data like cryptographic keys and intermediate values before entering…

CWE-1273 Sibling

Device Unlock Credential Sharing

This vulnerability occurs when the secret keys or passwords required to unlock a device's hidden features are shared between multiple…

CWE-1431 Sibling

Driving Intermediate Cryptographic State/Results to Hardware Module Outputs

This vulnerability occurs when a hardware cryptographic module leaks sensitive internal data through its output channels. Instead of only…

CWE-201 Sibling

Insertion of Sensitive Information Into Sent Data

This vulnerability occurs when an application sends data to an external party, but accidentally includes sensitive information—like…

CWE-203 Sibling

Observable Discrepancy

This vulnerability occurs when an application responds differently to unauthorized users based on internal conditions. Attackers can…

CWE-209 Sibling

Generation of Error Message Containing Sensitive Information

This vulnerability occurs when an application reveals sensitive details about its internal systems, user data, or environment within error…

CWE-213 Sibling

Exposure of Sensitive Information Due to Incompatible Policies

This vulnerability occurs when a system's data handling aligns with the developer's security rules but accidentally reveals information…

CWE-215 Sibling

Insertion of Sensitive Information Into Debugging Code

This vulnerability occurs when developers embed sensitive data, such as passwords or API keys, within debugging statements like logs or…

Resources

Further reading

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