CWE-425 Base Incompleto

Direct Request ('Forced Browsing')

This vulnerability occurs when a web application fails to verify user permissions for every protected page, file, or API endpoint, allowing attackers to access them directly.

Definición

What is CWE-425?

This vulnerability occurs when a web application fails to verify user permissions for every protected page, file, or API endpoint, allowing attackers to access them directly.
Direct Request vulnerabilities happen because developers often assume users will only navigate through the intended application flow, like clicking buttons in a set sequence. They place authorization checks only at those expected entry points, forgetting that a user can simply type or forge a request to any URL or endpoint the server knows. This creates an insecure direct object reference (IDOR) risk, where attackers can 'force browse' by guessing or discovering hidden paths to administrative panels, configuration files, user data, or backend scripts. To prevent this, every single restricted resource must independently validate that the current session has explicit permission to access it, regardless of how the request was made.
Impacto en el mundo real

Real-world CVEs caused by CWE-425

  • Access-control setting in web-based document collaboration tool is not properly implemented by the code, which prevents listing hidden directories but does not prevent direct requests to files in those directories.

  • Python-based HTTP library did not scope cookies to a particular domain such that "supercookies" could be sent to any domain on redirect.

  • Bypass authentication via direct request.

  • Infinite loop or infoleak triggered by direct requests.

  • Bypass auth/auth via direct request.

  • Direct request leads to infoleak by error.

  • Direct request leads to infoleak by error.

  • Direct request leads to infoleak by error.

Cómo lo explotan los atacantes

Ruta del atacante paso a paso

  1. 1

    Identifica una ruta de código que maneje entrada no confiable sin validación.

  2. 2

    Crea un payload que ejercite el comportamiento inseguro — inyección, traversal, overflow o abuso de lógica.

  3. 3

    Envía el payload a través de una solicitud normal y observa la reacción de la aplicación.

  4. 4

    Itera hasta que la respuesta filtre datos, ejecute código del atacante o escale privilegios.

Ejemplo de código vulnerable

Vulnerable JSP

If forced browsing is possible, an attacker may be able to directly access a sensitive page by entering a URL similar to the following.

Vulnerable JSP
http://somesite.com/someapplication/admin.jsp
Payload del atacante

If forced browsing is possible, an attacker may be able to directly access a sensitive page by entering a URL similar to the following.

Payload del atacante JSP
http://somesite.com/someapplication/admin.jsp
Ejemplo de código seguro

Secure pseudo

Seguro 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.
Lista de prevención

How to prevent CWE-425

  • Architecture and Design / Operation Apply appropriate access control authorizations for each access to all restricted URLs, scripts or files.
  • Architecture and Design Consider using MVC based frameworks such as Struts.
Señales de detección

How to detect CWE-425

SAST High

Ejecuta análisis estático (SAST) sobre el código buscando el patrón inseguro en el flujo de datos.

DAST Moderate

Ejecuta pruebas dinámicas de seguridad de aplicaciones (DAST) contra el endpoint en vivo.

Runtime Moderate

Vigila los logs en tiempo de ejecución para detectar trazas de excepción inusuales, entradas malformadas o intentos de bypass de autorización.

Code review Moderate

Revisión de código: marca cualquier código nuevo que maneje entrada desde esta superficie sin usar los helpers validados del framework.

CWE-425

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.

Preguntas frecuentes

Frequently asked questions

¿Qué es CWE-425?

This vulnerability occurs when a web application fails to verify user permissions for every protected page, file, or API endpoint, allowing attackers to access them directly.

¿Qué gravedad tiene CWE-425?

MITRE no ha publicado una calificación de probabilidad de explotación para esta debilidad. Trátala como de impacto medio hasta que tu modelo de amenazas demuestre lo contrario.

¿Qué lenguajes o plataformas se ven afectados por CWE-425?

MITRE lists the following affected platforms: Web Based.

¿Cómo puedo prevenir CWE-425?

Apply appropriate access control authorizations for each access to all restricted URLs, scripts or files. Consider using MVC based frameworks such as Struts.

¿Cómo detecta y corrige Plexicus CWE-425?

El motor SAST de Plexicus detecta la firma de flujo de datos para CWE-425 en cada commit. Cuando hay coincidencia, nuestro agente Codex Remedium abre un PR de corrección con el código corregido, las pruebas y un resumen de una línea para el revisor.

¿Dónde puedo aprender más sobre CWE-425?

MITRE publica la definición canónica en https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/425.html. También puedes consultar la documentación de OWASP y NIST para guías relacionadas.

¿Listo para validar lo que importa?

Listo para validar lo que importa.

Plexicus es Proof-Driven AppSec: hallazgos validados, comprensión contextual y remediación revisada — anclada en evidencia, acotada contigo.

Calificación

Comprueba si el AI Swarm Pentest encaja en tu entorno.

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Antes de enviar — verifica que encajas

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Sin compromiso. Si no encajas, te lo decimos.

SAMPLE HANDOVER · ILLUSTRATIVE

Sample evidence handover

A trimmed view of what your team receives at the end of an AI Swarm Pentest engagement. Real engagements include full technical evidence, executive narrative, and a remediation plan.

VALIDATED FINDING Evidence attached

Server-Side Request Forgery in webhooks/receiver

demo-project/sample-app · src/webhooks/receiver.py:42

SeverityHigh CVSS 3.18.6 Priority79 Confirmedvia replay

Untrusted caller-supplied URLs reach an internal egress without an allowlist. Replayed in a sandbox against a fresh authorized target — the same control was validated to fail twice.

REVIEWER-READY REMEDIATION Merge-ready PR

Validate the target URL against an allowlist of permitted hostnames. Reject private/internal IP ranges. Enforce HTTPS only.

plexicus/remediation/webhooks-ssrf 3 changed · 0 new files
42resp = requests.get(target_url)
42+if not is_allowed_host(target_url):
43+  raise WebhookRejected(target_url)
44+resp = requests.get(target_url, timeout=5)
Every engagement hands over:
  • Executive briefing
  • Validated findings list
  • Merge-ready PRs
  • Compliance mapping (NIS2 · DORA · CRA)
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