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CWE-1037

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CWE-1037

Processor Optimization Removal or Modification of Security-critical Code

Base
Incomplete

Description

The developer builds a security-critical protection mechanism into the software, but the processor optimizes the execution of the program such that the mechanism is removed or modified.

Common Consequences

Scope

Integrity

Impact

Bypass Protection Mechanism

CVE-2017-5715

Intel, ARM, and AMD processor optimizations related to speculative execution and branch prediction cause access control checks to be bypassed when placing data into the cache. Often known as "Spectre".

CVE-2017-5753

Intel, ARM, and AMD processor optimizations related to speculative execution and branch prediction cause access control checks to be bypassed when placing data into the cache. Often known as "Spectre".

CVE-2017-5754

Intel processor optimizations related to speculative execution cause access control checks to be bypassed when placing data into the cache. Often known as "Meltdown".

Applicable Platforms

Not Language-Specific

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