CWE Top 25 - (2022)

The CWE Top 25 is an annual list of the most dangerous software security weaknesses compiled by the MITRE Corporation. The list is updated each year to reflect the latest security threats and vulnerabilities. The 2022 version of the CWE Top 25 list includes new entries and updates to existing entries, making it an important resource for software security professionals. In this blog post, we will explore the differences between the CWE Top 25 2021 and CWE Top 25 2022, and discuss how these changes can help organizations better protect their systems and data.

CWE TOP 25 - 2022

1. Out-of-bounds Write: This vulnerability occurs when a program writes data outside of the intended buffer, memory, or other storage area. This can lead to a crash or the execution of malicious code.

2. Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting'): This vulnerability occurs when user-supplied input is not properly sanitized or validated before being included in a web page. This can allow an attacker to inject malicious code into the page, which can be executed by other users.

3. Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection'): This vulnerability occurs when user-supplied input is not properly sanitized or validated before being used in an SQL query. This can allow an attacker to inject malicious code into the query, which can be executed by the database.

4. Improper Input Validation: This vulnerability occurs when user-supplied input is not properly sanitized or validated before being used in a program. This can allow an attacker to inject malicious code into the program, which can be executed by the program.

5. Out-of-bounds Read: This vulnerability occurs when a program reads data outside of the intended buffer, memory, or other storage area. This can lead to a crash or the execution of malicious code.

6. Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection'): This vulnerability occurs when user-supplied input is not properly sanitized or validated before being used in an operating system command. This can allow an attacker to inject malicious code into the command, which can be executed by the operating system.

7. Use After Free: This vulnerability occurs when a program attempts to access memory that has already been freed. This can lead to a crash or the execution of malicious code.

8. Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal'): This vulnerability occurs when a program does not properly restrict access to a file or directory. This can allow an attacker to access files or directories that they should not have access to.

9. Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF): This vulnerability occurs when a malicious website sends a request to a vulnerable website on behalf of a user. This can allow an attacker to perform actions on behalf of the user without their knowledge or consent.

10. Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type: This vulnerability occurs when a program does not properly restrict the types of files that can be uploaded. This can allow an attacker to upload malicious files, which can be executed by the program.

11. NULL Pointer Dereference: This vulnerability occurs when a program attempts to access memory that has not been allocated. This can lead to a crash or the execution of malicious code.

12. Deserialization of Untrusted Data: This vulnerability occurs when user-supplied data is not properly sanitized or validated before being deserialized. This can allow an attacker to inject malicious code into the deserialized data, which can be executed by the program.

13. Integer Overflow or Wraparound: This vulnerability occurs when a program performs an arithmetic operation that results in an integer overflow or wraparound. This can lead to a crash or the execution of malicious code.

14. Improper Authentication: This vulnerability occurs when a program does not properly authenticate users. This can allow an attacker to gain access to the system without proper authorization.

15. Use of Hard-coded Credentials: This vulnerability occurs when a program uses hard-coded credentials. This can allow an attacker to gain access to the system without proper authorization.

16. Missing Authorization: This vulnerability occurs when a program does not properly authorize users. This can allow an attacker to gain access to the system without proper authorization.

17. Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection'): This vulnerability occurs when user-supplied input is not properly sanitized or validated before being used in a command. This can allow an attacker to inject malicious code into the command, which can be executed by the system.

18. Missing Authentication for Critical Function: This vulnerability occurs when a program does not properly authenticate users before allowing them to perform a critical function. This can allow an attacker to perform the function without proper authorization.

19. Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer: This vulnerability occurs when a program does not properly restrict operations within the bounds of a memory buffer. This can lead to a crash or the execution of malicious code.

20. Incorrect Default Permissions: This vulnerability occurs when a program does not properly set the default permissions for files or directories. This can allow an attacker to access files or directories that they should not have access to.

21. Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF): This vulnerability occurs when a malicious website sends a request to a vulnerable server on behalf of a user. This can allow an attacker to perform actions on behalf of the user without their knowledge or consent.

22. Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource with Improper Synchronization ('Race Condition'): This vulnerability occurs when a program does not properly synchronize access to a shared resource. This can allow an attacker to gain access to the resource without proper authorization.

23. Uncontrolled Resource Consumption: This vulnerability occurs when a program does not properly limit the amount of resources that can be consumed. This can lead to a denial of service attack.

24. Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference: This vulnerability occurs when a program does not properly restrict the use of external entities in XML documents. This can allow an attacker to access files or directories that they should not have access to.

25. Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection'): This vulnerability occurs when user-supplied input is not properly sanitized or validated before being used to generate code. This can allow an attacker to inject malicious code into the generated code, which can be executed by the program.

Conclusion

The CWE Top 25 from 2022 is an updated version of the CWE Top 25 from 2021. The CWE Top 25 from 2022 includes new vulnerabilities such as Uncontrolled Resource Consumption, Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource with Improper Synchronization ('Race Condition'), and Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection'). Additionally, the CWE Top 25 from 2022 includes updated versions of existing vulnerabilities such as Out-of-bounds Write, Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting'), and Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection'). The CWE Top 25 from 2022 is important because it provides a comprehensive list of the most common and dangerous software vulnerabilities. By understanding and addressing these vulnerabilities, organizations can better protect their systems and data from malicious actors.