CWE-115: Misinterpretation of Input
The product misinterprets an input, whether from an attacker or another product, in a security-relevant fashion.
View on MITRETechnical Details
- Structure
- Simple
Applicable To
Security Consequences
Scope
Impact
Mitigation Strategies
No mitigation information available for this CWE.
Detection Methods
No detection method information available for this CWE.
Code Examples & CVEs
Observed CVE Examples (2)
Product sees dangerous file extension in free text of a group discussion, disconnects all users.
View DetailsProduct does not correctly import and process security settings from another product.
View DetailsCWE Relationships
No relationship information available for this CWE.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CWE-115: Misinterpretation of Input?+
CWE-115: Misinterpretation of Input is a Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) entry maintained by MITRE. The product misinterprets an input, whether from an attacker or another product, in a security-relevant fashion.
What are the security consequences of Misinterpretation of Input?+
If exploited, CWE-115 (Misinterpretation of Input) it can compromise Integrity, leading to outcomes such as Unexpected State.
Which programming languages are affected by Misinterpretation of Input?+
CWE-115 commonly affects Not Language-Specific. Note that weaknesses are often language-agnostic patterns, so secure coding practices apply broadly.
What are real-world examples of Misinterpretation of Input?+
MITRE documents real CVEs mapped to CWE-115, including CVE-2005-2225 and CVE-2001-0003. You can look up the full details of each CVE, including CVSS scores and remediation guidance, on our CVE Lookup tool.
What is the difference between a CWE and a CVE?+
A CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) like CWE-115 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.