CWE-1262—Improper Access Control for Register Interface

Weakness Name

Improper Access Control for Register Interface

Description

The product uses memory-mapped I/O registers that act as an interface to hardware functionality from software, but there is improper access control to those registers.

Software commonly accesses peripherals in a System-on-Chip (SoC) or other device through a memory-mapped register interface. Malicious software could tamper with any security-critical hardware data that is accessible directly or indirectly through the register interface, which could lead to a loss of confidentiality and integrity.

Common Consequences

Scope:

Confidentiality, Integrity

Impact:

Read Memory, Read Application Data, Modify Memory, Modify Application Data, Gain Privileges or Assume Identity, Bypass Protection Mechanism, Unexpected State, Alter Execution Logic

Notes:

Confidentiality of hardware assets may be violated if the protected information can be read out by software through the register interface. Registers storing security state, settings, other security-critical data may be corruptible by software without correctly implemented protections.

Related Weaknesses

• CWE-284Improper Access Control