What is Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE)?

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The Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) is a community-developed list of software and hardware weaknesses maintained by the MITRE Corporation.

Each unique weakness is assigned a specific CWE number, and the CWE entries form a tree of different abstraction layers. The classes are the most abstract entries and are language and technology independent.

With a basic understanding of CWE, it can be used to your advantage to avoid common pitfalls. To understand which are the most common critical weaknesses for your organisation, MITRE publish an annual top 25 list of the most dangerous weaknesses.

Structure of CWE

  1. Classes: The CWE entries in the list form a tree of different abstraction layers. They are classes, which are the most abstract entries and are language and technology independent. An example of a CWE class is improper restriction of operations within the bounds of a memory buffer.
  2. Base Level Weaknesses: These are more specific than classes. An example is CWE-787, or out of bounds write, which is a child of the previous weakness.
  3. Variants: These are the most specific type of weaknesses. An example is a stack-based buffer overflow, which is a child of the out of bounds write weakness.

Practical Use of CWE

Practical Uses of Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE)

Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) is a community-developed list of software and hardware weaknesses maintained by the MITRE Corporation. It is a valuable resource for identifying and addressing vulnerabilities in systems and applications.

  • Identifying Weaknesses: CWE allows users to identify specific weaknesses in software and hardware, assigning each unique weakness a specific CWE number. This helps in understanding the potential security risks associated with these weaknesses.
  • Understanding Abstraction Layers: The CWE entries form a tree of different abstraction layers, with classes being the most abstract entries. These classes are language and technology independent, making it easier to categorize and address weaknesses across different platforms.
  • Exploring Specific Weaknesses: Base level weaknesses, such as CWE-787 (out of bounds write), provide more specific details than classes. These specific weaknesses can be further explored to understand their impact and potential vulnerabilities.
  • Learning from Examples: CWE provides demonstrative examples of vulnerabilities, along with descriptions, relationships between weaknesses, and possible platforms where these weaknesses apply. This allows developers to learn and recognize common errors and prevent such mistakes in their code.

By understanding and utilizing CWE, individuals and organizations can proactively address security weaknesses, mitigate potential risks, and improve the overall security posture of their systems and applications. It serves as a practical tool for developers, security professionals, and system administrators to avoid common pitfalls and enhance the resilience of their software and hardware.