Automated static analysis, commonly referred to as Static Application Security Testing (SAST), can find some instances of this weakness by analyzing source code (or binary/compiled code) without having to execute it. Typically, this is done by building a model of data flow and control flow, then searching for potentially-vulnerable patterns that connect "sources" (origins of input) with "sinks" (destinations where the data interacts with external components, a lower layer such as the OS, etc.)
CWE-282 Class Draft
Improper Ownership Management
This vulnerability occurs when a system incorrectly assigns or fails to verify which user or process rightfully controls a specific object or resource.
Definition
What is CWE-282?
This vulnerability occurs when a system incorrectly assigns or fails to verify which user or process rightfully controls a specific object or resource.
At its core, this flaw is about broken trust in access control. It happens when software doesn't properly track or validate the true 'owner' of a file, memory block, database record, or system object. This can allow unauthorized users to delete, modify, or access resources they shouldn't, simply because the system believes they own them. Think of it as handing your house keys to a stranger because a faulty system incorrectly listed them as the homeowner.
For developers, the main risk is that operations which should be restricted to a resource's creator—like deletion or permission changes—become available to others. To prevent this, always explicitly validate ownership through a trusted authority (like a kernel or central service) before performing sensitive actions. Never rely on unverified user-supplied claims or transient identifiers that can be forged or reused. Implement clear, centralized ownership lifecycle management for all critical resources.
Real-world impact
Real-world CVEs caused by CWE-282
-
Program runs setuid root but relies on a configuration file owned by a non-root user.
How attackers exploit it
Step-by-step attacker path
- 1
This function is part of a privileged program that takes input from users with potentially lower privileges.
- 2
This code does not confirm that the process to be killed is owned by the requesting user, thus allowing an attacker to kill arbitrary processes.
- 3
This function remedies the problem by checking the owner of the process before killing it:
Vulnerable code example
Vulnerable Python
This function is part of a privileged program that takes input from users with potentially lower privileges.
def killProcess(processID):
os.kill(processID, signal.SIGKILL) Secure code example
Secure Python
This function remedies the problem by checking the owner of the process before killing it:
def killProcess(processID):
user = getCurrentUser()
```
#Check process owner against requesting user*
if getProcessOwner(processID) == user:
```
os.kill(processID, signal.SIGKILL)
return
else:
print("You cannot kill a process you don't own")
return 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-282
- Architecture and Design / Operation Very carefully manage the setting, management, and handling of privileges. Explicitly manage trust zones in the software.
Detection signals
How to detect CWE-282
Plexicus auto-detects CWE-282 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.
Frequently asked questions What is CWE-282?
How serious is CWE-282?
What languages or platforms are affected by CWE-282?
How can I prevent CWE-282?
How does Plexicus detect and fix CWE-282?
Where can I learn more about CWE-282?
Frequently asked questions
What is CWE-282?
This vulnerability occurs when a system incorrectly assigns or fails to verify which user or process rightfully controls a specific object or resource.
How serious is CWE-282?
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-282?
MITRE has not specified affected platforms for this CWE — it can apply across most application stacks.
How can I prevent CWE-282?
Very carefully manage the setting, management, and handling of privileges. Explicitly manage trust zones in the software.
How does Plexicus detect and fix CWE-282?
Plexicus's SAST engine matches the data-flow signature for CWE-282 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-282?
MITRE publishes the canonical definition at https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/282.html. You can also reference OWASP and NIST documentation for adjacent guidance.
Related weaknesses
Weaknesses related to CWE-282
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
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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…
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