CWE-782 Variant Draft

Exposed IOCTL with Insufficient Access Control

This vulnerability occurs when a system exposes an IOCTL (Input/Output Control) interface that performs sensitive operations, but fails to implement proper checks to verify which users or processes…

Definition

What is CWE-782?

This vulnerability occurs when a system exposes an IOCTL (Input/Output Control) interface that performs sensitive operations, but fails to implement proper checks to verify which users or processes are allowed to call it.
An IOCTL often acts as a backdoor for privileged kernel or driver functions. If this interface is left exposed without strict access controls, attackers can directly invoke it to perform actions they shouldn't be allowed to. This is especially dangerous because developers often assume only trusted, high-level software will use these commands. As a result, the IOCTL might perform minimal validation of incoming data, turning a simple interface into a major security flaw that bypasses normal security layers. The specific methods for exploiting and securing IOCTLs vary significantly across different operating systems (like Windows, Linux, or macOS) and even between versions. Therefore, mitigation requires understanding your platform's specific security model—such as using proper driver object security descriptors, role-based checks, or mandatory integrity controls—to ensure only authorized callers can reach this powerful functionality.
Real-world impact

Real-world CVEs caused by CWE-782

  • CVE-2009-2208

    Operating system does not enforce permissions on an IOCTL that can be used to modify network settings.

  • CVE-2008-3831

    Device driver does not restrict ioctl calls to its direct rendering manager.

  • CVE-2008-3525

    ioctl does not check for a required capability before processing certain requests.

  • CVE-2008-0322

    Chain: insecure device permissions allows access to an IOCTL, allowing arbitrary memory to be overwritten.

  • CVE-2007-4277

    Chain: anti-virus product uses weak permissions for a device, leading to resultant buffer overflow in an exposed IOCTL.

  • CVE-2007-1400

    Chain: sandbox allows opening of a TTY device, enabling shell commands through an exposed ioctl.

  • CVE-2006-4926

    Anti-virus product uses insecure security descriptor for a device driver, allowing access to a privileged IOCTL.

  • CVE-1999-0728

    Unauthorized user can disable keyboard or mouse by directly invoking a privileged IOCTL.

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 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-782

  • Architecture and Design In Windows environments, use proper access control for the associated device or device namespace. See References.
Detection signals

How to detect CWE-782

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-782 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-782?

This vulnerability occurs when a system exposes an IOCTL (Input/Output Control) interface that performs sensitive operations, but fails to implement proper checks to verify which users or processes are allowed to call it.

How serious is CWE-782?

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-782?

MITRE lists the following affected platforms: C, C++, Unix, Windows.

How can I prevent CWE-782?

In Windows environments, use proper access control for the associated device or device namespace. See References.

How does Plexicus detect and fix CWE-782?

Plexicus's SAST engine matches the data-flow signature for CWE-782 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-782?

MITRE publishes the canonical definition at https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/782.html. You can also reference OWASP and NIST documentation for adjacent guidance.

Related weaknesses

Weaknesses related to CWE-782

CWE-749 Parent

Exposed Dangerous Method or Function

This vulnerability occurs when a software component exposes an API or interface containing a high-risk function that lacks proper access…

CWE-618 Sibling

Exposed Unsafe ActiveX Method

This vulnerability occurs when an ActiveX control, designed for web browsers, exposes methods that bypass the browser's built-in security…

CWE-781 Can precede

Improper Address Validation in IOCTL with METHOD_NEITHER I/O Control Code

This vulnerability occurs when a Windows driver defines an IOCTL using METHOD_NEITHER but fails to properly check the user-supplied memory…

Resources

Further reading

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