CWE-230 Variant Draft

Improper Handling of Missing Values

This vulnerability occurs when software fails to properly check for or handle missing data values. It happens when a parameter, field, or argument name is provided, but its corresponding value is…

Definition

What is CWE-230?

This vulnerability occurs when software fails to properly check for or handle missing data values. It happens when a parameter, field, or argument name is provided, but its corresponding value is empty, blank, or null, and the system doesn't manage this absence safely.
Missing values are a common reality in data processing, but treating them incorrectly can lead to crashes, incorrect calculations, or security flaws. When a system assumes a value will always be present and proceeds without validation, it can trigger unexpected errors, expose internal system details, or create logic errors that attackers might exploit to bypass checks or corrupt data. To prevent this, developers should implement consistent validation at all data entry points. This means explicitly checking for null, empty strings, or blank values and defining a safe default behavior for each scenario, such as rejecting the input, using a sensible default, or returning a clear error message. Input sanitization and using allow-lists for expected values are also key defensive strategies.
Real-world impact

Real-world CVEs caused by CWE-230

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 Java

This Android application has registered to handle a URL when sent an intent:

Vulnerable Java 
```
...* 
  IntentFilter filter = new IntentFilter("com.example.URLHandler.openURL");
  MyReceiver receiver = new MyReceiver();
  registerReceiver(receiver, filter);
  
   *...* 
  
  public class UrlHandlerReceiver extends BroadcastReceiver {
  ```
  		@Override
  		public void onReceive(Context context, Intent intent) {
  				if("com.example.URLHandler.openURL".equals(intent.getAction())) {
  					String URL = intent.getStringExtra("URLToOpen");
  					int length = URL.length();
```
...* 
  				}}}
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-230

  • 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.
Detection signals

How to detect CWE-230

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-230 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-230?

This vulnerability occurs when software fails to properly check for or handle missing data values. It happens when a parameter, field, or argument name is provided, but its corresponding value is empty, blank, or null, and the system doesn't manage this absence safely.

How serious is CWE-230?

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-230?

MITRE has not specified affected platforms for this CWE — it can apply across most application stacks.

How can I prevent CWE-230?

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.

How does Plexicus detect and fix CWE-230?

Plexicus's SAST engine matches the data-flow signature for CWE-230 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-230?

MITRE publishes the canonical definition at https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/230.html. You can also reference OWASP and NIST documentation for adjacent guidance.

Related weaknesses

Weaknesses related to CWE-230

CWE-229 Parent

Improper Handling of Values

This vulnerability occurs when software fails to correctly process situations where input contains too few values, too many values, or…

CWE-231 Sibling

Improper Handling of Extra Values

This vulnerability occurs when software receives more input values than it was designed to handle, and fails to properly manage or reject…

CWE-232 Sibling

Improper Handling of Undefined Values

This vulnerability occurs when software fails to properly check for or handle undefined, null, or unsupported values passed to parameters,…

Resources

Further reading

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