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CWE-1244

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CWE-1244

Internal Asset Exposed to Unsafe Debug Access Level or State

Base
Stable

Description

The product uses physical debug or test interfaces with support for multiple access levels, but it assigns the wrong debug access level to an internal asset, providing unintended access to the asset from untrusted debug agents.

{"xhtml:p":["Debug authorization can have multiple levels of\n\t access, defined such that different system internal assets\n\t are accessible based on the current authorized debug\n\t level. Other than debugger authentication (e.g., using\n\t passwords or challenges), the authorization can also be\n\t based on the system state or boot stage. For example, full\n\t system debug access might only be allowed early in boot\n\t after a system reset to ensure that previous session data is\n\t not accessible to the authenticated debugger."]}

Parent Weaknesses (ChildOf)

Common Consequences

Scope

Confidentiality

Impact

Read Memory

Scope

Integrity

Impact

Modify Memory

Scope

Authorization
Access Control

Impact

Gain Privileges or Assume Identity, Bypass Protection Mechanism

Potential Mitigations

Architecture and Design
Implementation

For security-sensitive assets accessible over debug/test interfaces, only allow trusted agents.

Architecture and Design

Apply blinding [REF-1219] or masking techniques in strategic areas.

Implementation

Add shielding or tamper-resistant protections to the device, which increases the difficulty and cost for accessing debug/test interfaces.

CVE-2019-18827

After ROM code execution, JTAG access is disabled. But before the ROM code is executed, JTAG access is possible, allowing a user full system access. This allows a user to modify the boot flow and successfully bypass the secure-boot process.

Applicable Platforms

Not Language-Specific

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CWE-1244: Internal Asset Exposed to Unsafe Debug Access Level or State | QwikSec