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Home/CWEs/CWE-304/

CWE-304 - Missing Critical Step in Authentication

  • Abstraction:Base
  • Structure:Simple
  • Status:Draft
  • Release Date:2006-07-19
  • Latest Modification Date:2023-10-26

Weakness Name

Missing Critical Step in Authentication

Description

The product implements an authentication technique, but it skips a step that weakens the technique.

Authentication techniques should follow the algorithms that define them exactly, otherwise authentication can be bypassed or more easily subjected to brute force attacks.

Common Consequences

Scope: Access Control, Integrity, Confidentiality

Impact: Bypass Protection Mechanism, Gain Privileges or Assume Identity, Read Application Data, Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands

Notes: This weakness can lead to the exposure of resources or functionality to unintended actors, possibly providing attackers with sensitive information or allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code.

Related Weaknesses

CWE-303Incorrect Implementation of Authentication Algorithm

CWE-573Improper Following of Specification by Caller