CWE-766 - Critical Data Element Declared Public
- Abstraction:Base
- Structure:Simple
- Status:Incomplete
- Release Date:2009-05-27
- Latest Modification Date:2024-02-29
Weakness Name
Critical Data Element Declared Public
Description
The product declares a critical variable, field, or member to be public when intended security policy requires it to be private.
This issue makes it more difficult to maintain the product, which indirectly affects security by making it more difficult or time-consuming to find and/or fix vulnerabilities. It also might make it easier to introduce vulnerabilities.
Common Consequences
Scope: Integrity, Confidentiality
Impact: Read Application Data, Modify Application Data
Notes: Making a critical variable public allows anyone with access to the object in which the variable is contained to alter or read the value.
Scope: Other
Impact: Reduce Maintainability
Related Weaknesses
CWE-732Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical ResourceHigh