CWE Database
/

CWE-1231

Back to CWE list

CWE-1231

Improper Prevention of Lock Bit Modification

Base
Stable

Description

The product uses a trusted lock bit for restricting access to registers, address regions, or other resources, but the product does not prevent the value of the lock bit from being modified after it has been set.

{"xhtml:p":["In integrated circuits and hardware\n\t\t\t intellectual property (IP) cores, device configuration\n\t\t\t controls are commonly programmed after a device power\n\t\t\t reset by a trusted firmware or software module (e.g.,\n\t\t\t BIOS/bootloader) and then locked from any further\n\t\t\t modification.","This behavior is commonly implemented using a trusted lock bit. \n\t\t\t When set, the lock bit disables writes to a protected set of\n\t\t\t registers or address regions. Design or coding errors in\n\t\t\t the implementation of the lock bit protection feature\n\t\t\t may allow the lock bit to be modified or cleared by\n\t\t\t software after it has been set. Attackers might be able to unlock the system and\n\t\t\t features that the bit is intended to protect."]}

Parent Weaknesses (ChildOf)

Common Consequences

Scope

Access Control

Impact

Modify Memory

Potential Mitigations

Architecture and Design
Implementation
Testing

Security lock bit protections must be reviewed for design inconsistency and common weaknesses. Security lock programming flow and lock properties must be tested in pre-silicon and post-silicon testing.

CVE-2017-6283

chip reset clears critical read/write lock permissions for RSA function

Applicable Platforms

Not Language-Specific

Security Training

Train your team to recognize and prevent security threats with our comprehensive security awareness program.

Start Training

Vulnerability Scanning

Discover vulnerabilities in your applications and infrastructure before attackers do.

Scan Now