In theory this weakness can be detected through the use of white box testing techniques where specifically crafted test cases are used in conjunction with debuggers to verify the order of statements being executed.
CWE-1037 Base Incomplete
Processor Optimization Removal or Modification of Security-critical Code
This vulnerability occurs when a processor's performance optimization unintentionally strips out or alters security-critical code that a developer intentionally placed in the software.
Definition
What is CWE-1037?
This vulnerability occurs when a processor's performance optimization unintentionally strips out or alters security-critical code that a developer intentionally placed in the software.
Modern processors use complex optimization techniques like speculative execution, branch prediction, and instruction reordering to boost performance. However, these very optimizations can sometimes work against security by removing timing-based checks, skipping redundant-looking security validations, or executing instructions out of order in a way that bypasses critical security gates. The developer's code appears correct at the source and compiled levels, but the hardware's behavior creates a hidden gap in the intended security model.
For developers, this means security mechanisms that rely on precise execution order or constant-time operations—common in cryptography or access control checks—are particularly at risk. Mitigating this requires understanding specific processor behaviors and using appropriate barriers, serializing instructions, or compiler intrinsics that prevent the CPU from optimizing away these sensitive code sections. It's a reminder that security must be enforced at the hardware-software interface, not just within the source code.
Auswirkungen in der Praxis
Real-world CVEs caused by CWE-1037
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Intel, ARM, and AMD processor optimizations related to speculative execution and branch prediction cause access control checks to be bypassed when placing data into the cache. Often known as "Spectre".
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Intel, ARM, and AMD processor optimizations related to speculative execution and branch prediction cause access control checks to be bypassed when placing data into the cache. Often known as "Spectre".
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Intel processor optimizations related to speculative execution cause access control checks to be bypassed when placing data into the cache. Often known as "Meltdown".
Wie Angreifer es ausnutzen
Angreiferpfad Schritt für Schritt
- 1
Identifiziere einen Codepfad, der nicht vertrauenswürdige Eingaben ohne Validierung verarbeitet.
- 2
Erzeuge eine Payload, die das unsichere Verhalten auslöst — Injection, Traversal, Overflow oder Logik-Missbrauch.
- 3
Liefere die Payload über einen normalen Request aus und beobachte die Reaktion der Anwendung.
- 4
Iteriere, bis die Antwort Daten preisgibt, Angreifer-Code ausführt oder Berechtigungen eskaliert.
Verwundbares Codebeispiel
Vulnerable pseudo
MITRE hat kein Codebeispiel für diese CWE veröffentlicht. Das untenstehende Muster ist illustrativ — kanonische Referenzen findest du unter Ressourcen.
// Example pattern — see MITRE for the canonical references.
function handleRequest(input) {
// Untrusted input flows directly into the sensitive sink.
return executeUnsafe(input);
} Sicheres Codebeispiel
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.
Präventions-Checkliste
How to prevent CWE-1037
- 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.
Erkennungssignale
How to detect CWE-1037
CWE-1037
Don't catalog this weakness. Prove it's reachable.
Plexicus turns CWE catalogs into evidence: every CWE-pattern is matched against your real code graph, reach is proven on a sandbox clone, and verified findings ship as reviewed PRs.
Häufig gestellte Fragen Was ist CWE-1037?
Wie gravierend ist CWE-1037?
Welche Sprachen oder Plattformen sind von CWE-1037 betroffen?
Wie kann ich CWE-1037 verhindern?
Wie erkennt und behebt Plexicus CWE-1037?
Wo erfahre ich mehr über CWE-1037?
Frequently asked questions
Was ist CWE-1037?
This vulnerability occurs when a processor's performance optimization unintentionally strips out or alters security-critical code that a developer intentionally placed in the software.
Wie gravierend ist CWE-1037?
MITRE stuft die Exploit-Wahrscheinlichkeit als niedrig ein — eine Ausnutzung ist selten, die Schwachstelle sollte aber dennoch behoben werden, sobald sie entdeckt wird.
Welche Sprachen oder Plattformen sind von CWE-1037 betroffen?
MITRE lists the following affected platforms: Processor Hardware.
Wie kann ich CWE-1037 verhindern?
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.
Wie erkennt und behebt Plexicus CWE-1037?
Die SAST-Engine von Plexicus erkennt die Datenfluss-Signatur von CWE-1037 bei jedem Commit. Bei einem Treffer öffnet unser Codex-Remedium-Agent einen Fix-PR mit korrigiertem Code, Tests und einer einzeiligen Zusammenfassung für den Reviewer.
Wo erfahre ich mehr über CWE-1037?
MITRE veröffentlicht die kanonische Definition unter https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/1037.html. Für ergänzende Hinweise kannst du auch die OWASP- und NIST-Dokumentation heranziehen.
Verwandte Schwachstellen
Weaknesses related to CWE-1037
CWE-1038 Parent
Insecure Automated Optimizations
This vulnerability occurs when software uses automated tools to optimize code for performance or efficiency, but those optimizations…
CWE-733 Sibling
Compiler Optimization Removal or Modification of Security-critical Code
This vulnerability occurs when a compiler's optimization process unintentionally strips out or alters security-critical code that a…
Bereit, das Wesentliche zu validieren?
Bereit zu validieren, was zählt.
Plexicus ist Proof-Driven AppSec: validierte Funde, kontextuelles Verständnis und geprüfte Remediation — in Evidenz verankert, mit Ihnen gescoped.