CWE-495—Private Data Structure Returned From A Public Method

PUBLISHEDweakness record

released 2006-07-19 · last modified 2025-12-11

Metadata

CWE ID:: CWE-495
Abstraction:: Variant
Structure:: Simple
Status:: Draft
Release Date:: 2006-07-19
Latest Modification Date:: 2025-12-11

Weakness Name

Private Data Structure Returned From A Public Method

Description

The product has a method that is declared public, but returns a reference to a private data structure, which could then be modified in unexpected ways.

Common Consequences

Scope:: Integrity
Impact:: Modify Application Data
Notes:: The contents of the data structure can be modified from outside the intended scope.

Related Weaknesses

browse all CWEs