CWE-582 Variant Draft

Array Declared Public, Final, and Static

This vulnerability occurs when an array is declared as public, final, and static, which does not protect the data inside the array from being altered.

Definition

What is CWE-582?

This vulnerability occurs when an array is declared as public, final, and static, which does not protect the data inside the array from being altered.
While the `final` keyword ensures the array reference itself cannot point to a new object, it does not lock the contents of the array. The array elements remain fully mutable, meaning their values can be changed, added, or removed. Because the array is also declared `public`, any part of the code—including potentially untrusted or malicious components—can directly access and modify the array's data. This combination of public exposure with insufficient data protection typically represents a security flaw or design oversight that should be corrected.
Real-world impact

Real-world CVEs caused by CWE-582

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 Java

The following Java Applet code mistakenly declares an array public, final and static.

Vulnerable Java 
public final class urlTool extends Applet {
  	public final static URL[] urls;
  	...
  }
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-582

  • Implementation In most situations the array should be made private.
Detection signals

How to detect CWE-582

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-582 and opens a fix PR in under 60 seconds.

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Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

What is CWE-582?

This vulnerability occurs when an array is declared as public, final, and static, which does not protect the data inside the array from being altered.

How serious is CWE-582?

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-582?

MITRE lists the following affected platforms: Java.

How can I prevent CWE-582?

In most situations the array should be made private.

How does Plexicus detect and fix CWE-582?

Plexicus's SAST engine matches the data-flow signature for CWE-582 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-582?

MITRE publishes the canonical definition at https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/582.html. You can also reference OWASP and NIST documentation for adjacent guidance.

Related weaknesses

Weaknesses related to CWE-582

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CWE-1331 Sibling

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CWE-134 Sibling

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CWE-200 Sibling

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CWE-374 Sibling

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Resources

Further reading

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