CWE-1115: Source Code Element without Standard Prologue

BaseIncomplete

The source code contains elements such as source files that do not consistently provide a prologue or header that has been standardized for the project.

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Extended Description

The lack of a prologue can make it more difficult to accurately and quickly understand the associated code. Standard prologues or headers may contain information such as module name, version number, author, date, purpose, function, assumptions, limitations, accuracy considerations, etc. This issue makes it more difficult to maintain the product due to insufficient analyzability, which indirectly affects security by making it more difficult or time-consuming to find and/or fix vulnerabilities. It also might make it easier to introduce vulnerabilities.

Technical Details

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is CWE-1115: Source Code Element without Standard Prologue?+

CWE-1115: Source Code Element without Standard Prologue is a Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) entry maintained by MITRE. The source code contains elements such as source files that do not consistently provide a prologue or header that has been standardized for the project. The lack of a prologue can make it more difficult to accurately and quickly understand the associated code. Standard prologues or headers may contain information such as module name, version number, author, date, purpose, function, assumptions, limitations, accuracy considerations, etc. This issue makes it more difficult to maintain the product due to insufficient analyzability, which indirectly affects security by making it more difficult or time-consuming to find and/or fix vulnerabilities. It also might make it easier to introduce vulnerabilities.

What is the difference between a CWE and a CVE?+

A CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) like CWE-1115 describes a category of software weakness — the underlying flaw type. A CVE (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) identifies a specific, real-world vulnerability in a particular product. In short, a CWE is the kind of mistake, and a CVE is an instance of that mistake being found in software.

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