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 Incompleto
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.
Definição
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.
Impacto no mundo real
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".
Como os atacantes a exploram
Trajeto do atacante passo a passo
- 1
Identificar um caminho de código que trata input não confiável sem validação.
- 2
Criar um payload que explora o comportamento inseguro — injeção, traversal, overflow ou abuso de lógica.
- 3
Entregar o payload através de um pedido normal e observar a reação da aplicação.
- 4
Iterar até que a resposta exponha dados, execute código do atacante ou escale privilégios.
Exemplo de código vulnerável
Vulnerable pseudo
A MITRE não publicou um exemplo de código para este CWE. O padrão abaixo é ilustrativo — consulte os Recursos para referências canónicas.
// Example pattern — see MITRE for the canonical references.
function handleRequest(input) {
// Untrusted input flows directly into the sensitive sink.
return executeUnsafe(input);
} Exemplo de código seguro
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.
Lista de verificação de prevenção
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.
Sinais de deteção
How to detect CWE-1037
CWE-1037
Don't catalog this weakness. Prove it's reachable.
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Perguntas frequentes O que é o CWE-1037?
Qual a gravidade do CWE-1037?
Que linguagens ou plataformas são afetadas pelo CWE-1037?
Como posso prevenir o CWE-1037?
Como é que o Plexicus deteta e corrige o CWE-1037?
Onde posso saber mais sobre o CWE-1037?
Frequently asked questions
O que é o 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.
Qual a gravidade do CWE-1037?
A MITRE classifica a probabilidade de exploração como Baixa — a exploração é pouco comum, mas a fraqueza deve mesmo assim ser corrigida quando descoberta.
Que linguagens ou plataformas são afetadas pelo CWE-1037?
MITRE lists the following affected platforms: Processor Hardware.
Como posso prevenir o CWE-1037?
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.
Como é que o Plexicus deteta e corrige o CWE-1037?
O motor SAST do Plexicus correlaciona a assinatura de fluxo de dados do CWE-1037 em cada commit. Quando é encontrada uma correspondência, o nosso agente Codex Remedium abre um PR de correção com o código corrigido, testes e um resumo de uma linha para o revisor.
Onde posso saber mais sobre o CWE-1037?
A MITRE publica a definição canónica em https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/1037.html. Pode também consultar a documentação da OWASP e do NIST para orientações adjacentes.
Fraquezas relacionadas
Weaknesses related to CWE-1037
CWE-1038 Pai
Insecure Automated Optimizations
This vulnerability occurs when software uses automated tools to optimize code for performance or efficiency, but those optimizations…
CWE-733 Irmão
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…
Pronto para validar o que importa?
Pronto para validar o que importa.
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