CWE-1314: Missing Write Protection for Parametric Data Values
Various sensors are used by hardware to detect any devices operating outside of the design limits. The threshold limit values are set by hardware fuses or trusted software such as the BIOS. These limits may be related to thermal, power, voltage, current, and frequency. Hardware mechanisms may be used to protect against alteration of the threshold limit values by untrusted software.
The limit values are generally programmed in standard units for the type of value being read. However, the hardware-sensor blocks may report the settings in different units depending upon sensor design and operation. The raw sensor output value is converted to the desired units using a scale conversion based on the parametric data programmed into the sensor. The final converted value is then compared with the previously programmed limits.
While the limit values are usually protected, the sensor parametric data values may not be. By changing the parametric data, safe operational limits may be bypassed.
Modes of Introduction
| Phase | Note |
|---|---|
| Architecture and Design | The lack of a requirement to protect parametric values may contribute to this weakness. |
| Implementation | The lack of parametric value protection may be a cause of this weakness. |
Applicable Platforms
| Type | Class | Name | Prevalence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Language | Not Language-Specific | ||
| Operating_system | Not OS-Specific | ||
| Architecture | Not Architecture-Specific | ||
| Technology | Sensor Hardware |
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)
The Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC™) effort provides a publicly available catalog of common attack patterns that helps users understand how adversaries exploit weaknesses in applications and other cyber-enabled capabilities.
CAPEC at Mitre.org