CWE-1338 Base Draft

Improper Protections Against Hardware Overheating

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

Definition

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.
Real-world impact

Real-world CVEs caused by CWE-1338

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

    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.

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-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.
Detection signals

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.

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Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

What is CWE-1338?

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

How serious is CWE-1338?

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-1338?

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

How can I prevent 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.

How does Plexicus detect and fix CWE-1338?

Plexicus's SAST engine matches the data-flow signature for CWE-1338 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-1338?

MITRE publishes the canonical definition at https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/1338.html. You can also reference OWASP and NIST documentation for adjacent guidance.

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Resources

Further reading

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