CWE
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CWE-708: Incorrect Ownership Assignment

 
Incorrect Ownership Assignment
Weakness ID: 708 (Weakness Base)Status: Incomplete
+ Description

Description Summary

The software assigns an owner to a resource, but the owner is outside of the intended control sphere.

Extended Description

This may allow the resource to be manipulated by actors outside of the intended control sphere.

+ Time of Introduction
  • Architecture and Design
  • Implementation
  • Operation
+ Applicable Platforms

Languages

All

+ Observed Examples
ReferenceDescription
CVE-2007-5101File system sets wrong ownership and group when creating a new file.
CVE-2007-4238OS installs program with bin owner/group, allowing modification.
CVE-2007-1716Manager does not properly restore ownership of a reusable resource when a user logs out, allowing privilege escalation.
CVE-2005-3148Backup software restores symbolic links with incorrect uid/gid.
CVE-2005-1064Product changes the ownership of files that a symlink points to, instead of the symlink itself.
+ Potential Mitigations
PhaseDescription

Periodically review the privileges and their owners.

Use automated tools to check for privilege settings.

+ Other Notes

This overlaps verification errors, permissions, and privileges.

A closely related weakness is the incorrect assignment of groups to a resource. It is not clear whether it would fall under this entry or require a different entry.

+ Relationships
NatureTypeIDNameView(s) this relationship pertains toView(s)
ChildOfWeakness ClassWeakness Class282Improper Ownership Management
Development Concepts (primary)699
Research Concepts (primary)1000
CanAlsoBeWeakness ClassWeakness Class345Insufficient Verification of Data Authenticity
Research Concepts1000
ChildOfCategoryCategory723OWASP Top Ten 2004 Category A2 - Broken Access Control
Weaknesses in OWASP Top Ten (2004) (primary)711
+ Content History
Modifications
Modification DateModifierOrganizationSource
2008-07-01Eric DalciCigitalExternal
updated Potential Mitigations, Time of Introduction
2009-03-10CWE Content TeamMITREInternal
updated Relationships
2009-05-27CWE Content TeamMITREInternal
updated Description
Page Last Updated: October 29, 2009