Ensure the volatile memory is lockable or has locks. Ensure the volatile memory is locked for writes from untrusted agents or adversaries. Try modifying the volatile memory from an untrusted agent, and ensure these writes are dropped.
CWE-1274 Base Estável
Improper Access Control for Volatile Memory Containing Boot Code
This vulnerability occurs when a system's secure-boot process loads bootloader code into volatile memory (like DRAM or SRAM) but fails to properly lock down that memory region afterward. Without…
Definição
What is CWE-1274?
This vulnerability occurs when a system's secure-boot process loads bootloader code into volatile memory (like DRAM or SRAM) but fails to properly lock down that memory region afterward. Without strong access controls, an attacker can modify the boot code in memory, bypassing secure boot and running malicious software.
During a secure boot, the initial read-only memory (ROM) code inside a chip fetches the bootloader from external, non-volatile storage and copies it into internal volatile memory for execution. This code is authenticated as it's loaded. However, if the chip's memory protection unit (MPU) or similar hardware mechanisms don't enforce strict write or execute permissions on this volatile memory region after the transfer, the authenticated code becomes a sitting target.
An attacker with physical or software access can then overwrite this now-unprotected boot code in volatile memory. This allows them to subvert the entire secure-boot chain, replacing the trusted bootloader with their own malicious payload before the system's main processor executes it, completely undermining the device's security foundation.
Impacto no mundo real
Real-world CVEs caused by CWE-1274
-
Locked memory regions may be modified through other interfaces in a secure-boot-loader image due to improper access control.
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 Other
A typical SoC secure boot's flow includes fetching the next piece of code (i.e., the boot loader) from NVM (e.g., serial, peripheral interface (SPI) flash), and transferring it to DRAM/SRAM volatile, internal memory, which is more efficient.
The volatile-memory protections or access controls are insufficient. Exemplo de código seguro
Secure Other
The memory from where the boot loader executes can be modified by an adversary.
A good architecture should define appropriate protections or access controls to prevent modification by an adversary or untrusted agent, once the bootloader is authenticated. 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-1274
- Architecture and Design Ensure that the design of volatile-memory protections is enough to prevent modification from an adversary or untrusted code.
- Testing Test the volatile-memory protections to ensure they are safe from modification or untrusted code.
Sinais de deteção
How to detect CWE-1274
Analyze the device using the following steps: 1. Identify all fabric master agents that are active during system Boot Flow when initial code is loaded from Non-volatile storage to volatile memory. 1. Identify the volatile memory regions that are used for storing loaded system executable program. 1. During system boot, test programming the identified memory regions in step 2 from all the masters identified in step 1. Only trusted masters should be allowed to write to the memory regions. For example, pluggable device peripherals should not have write access to program load memory regions.
CWE-1274
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.
Perguntas frequentes O que é o CWE-1274?
Qual a gravidade do CWE-1274?
Que linguagens ou plataformas são afetadas pelo CWE-1274?
Como posso prevenir o CWE-1274?
Como é que o Plexicus deteta e corrige o CWE-1274?
Onde posso saber mais sobre o CWE-1274?
Frequently asked questions
O que é o CWE-1274?
This vulnerability occurs when a system's secure-boot process loads bootloader code into volatile memory (like DRAM or SRAM) but fails to properly lock down that memory region afterward. Without strong access controls, an attacker can modify the boot code in memory, bypassing secure boot and running malicious software.
Qual a gravidade do CWE-1274?
A MITRE não publicou uma classificação de probabilidade de exploração para esta fraqueza. Trate-a como impacto médio até o seu modelo de ameaças provar o contrário.
Que linguagens ou plataformas são afetadas pelo CWE-1274?
MITRE lists the following affected platforms: Not OS-Specific, Not Architecture-Specific, Not Technology-Specific.
Como posso prevenir o CWE-1274?
Ensure that the design of volatile-memory protections is enough to prevent modification from an adversary or untrusted code. Test the volatile-memory protections to ensure they are safe from modification or untrusted code.
Como é que o Plexicus deteta e corrige o CWE-1274?
O motor SAST do Plexicus correlaciona a assinatura de fluxo de dados do CWE-1274 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-1274?
A MITRE publica a definição canónica em https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/1274.html. Pode também consultar a documentação da OWASP e do NIST para orientações adjacentes.
Fraquezas relacionadas
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