CWE-1192: Improper Identifier for IP Block used in System-On-Chip (SOC)

Extended Description

A System-on-Chip (SoC) comprises several components (IP) with varied trust requirements. It is required that each IP is identified uniquely and should distinguish itself from other entities in the SoC without any ambiguity. The unique secured identity is required for various purposes. Most of the time the identity is used to route a transaction or perform certain actions, including resetting, retrieving a sensitive information, and acting upon or on behalf of something else. There are several variants of this weakness: A "missing" identifier is when the SoC does not define any mechanism to uniquely identify the IP. An "insufficient" identifier might provide some defenses - for example, against the most common attacks - but it does not protect against everything that is intended. A "misconfigured" mechanism occurs when a mechanism is available but not implemented correctly. An "ignored" identifier occurs when the SoC/IP has not applied any policies or does not act upon the identifier securely.

Source-backed guidance

Additional facts reviewed against primary or authoritative security sources.

Verify controls for CWE-1192 with SSDF evidence

Use NIST SSDF verification and vulnerability-response practices to detect CWE-1192, Improper Identifier for IP Block used in System-On-Chip (SOC), throughout the product lifecycle. Derive review questions, static or dynamic checks, and negative tests from the CWE's causal behavior; define the components and lifecycle stages each check covers; and retain findings with enough evidence to distinguish the root cause from symptoms and impacts. Track escapes and false negatives, then improve the verification plan after every confirmed occurrence.

NIST SP 800-218 Secure Software Development Framework — National Institute of Standards and Technology

Apply Separation of Privilege controls for Improper Identifier for IP Block used in System-On-Chip (SOC)

MITRE associates mitigation with Architecture and Design; the listed strategies include Separation of Privilege; recorded impacts include Bypass Protection Mechanism. Use these source-defined anchors to turn CWE-1192 into implementation, review, and verification checks for the affected component.

CWE-1192: Improper Identifier for IP Block used in System-On-Chip (SOC) — MITRE CWE

Triage CWE-1192 against known exploitation evidence

Use CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog to test whether a vulnerability mapped to CWE-1192, Improper Identifier for IP Block used in System-On-Chip (SOC), has evidence of exploitation in the wild. Confirm the CVE-to-CWE root-cause mapping independently before attaching the example, then capture the affected product, required action, and remediation deadline. A missing KEV match is not evidence that the weakness is unexploited, and a KEV entry must not be generalized to every occurrence of this CWE.

Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog — Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency

Apply precise root-cause mapping to CWE-1192

Apply MITRE's full root-cause mapping guidance when using CWE-1192, Improper Identifier for IP Block used in System-On-Chip (SOC). Separate weakness language from attacker prerequisites and technical impact, check the entry's abstraction and vulnerability-mapping notes, and prefer the most specific Base or Variant supported by the evidence. Record the rejected alternatives and require an independent review before the mapping is used for remediation trends or program metrics.

CVE to CWE Root Cause Mapping Guidance — MITRE CWE

Validate CWE-1192 with root-cause mapping checks

Apply MITRE's root-cause mapping quick tips to CWE-1192, Improper Identifier for IP Block used in System-On-Chip (SOC). Confirm the finding describes the causal weakness rather than an impact or attack pattern, compare the abstraction and mapping notes with plausible alternatives, and have a second reviewer challenge the selection. Preserve the evidence and reasoning so recurring defects can be measured against one consistent identifier.

CVE to CWE Root Cause Mapping Quick Tips — MITRE CWE

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CWE-1192: Improper Identifier for IP Block used in System-On-Chip (SOC)?+

CWE-1192: Improper Identifier for IP Block used in System-On-Chip (SOC) is a Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) entry maintained by MITRE. The System-on-Chip (SoC) does not have unique, immutable identifiers for each of its components. A System-on-Chip (SoC) comprises several components (IP) with varied trust requirements. It is required that each IP is identified uniquely and should distinguish itself from other entities in the SoC without any ambiguity. The unique secured identity is required for various purposes. Most of the time the identity is used to route a transaction or perform certain actions, including resetting, retrieving a sensitive information, and acting upon or on behalf of something else. There are several variants of this weakness: A "missing" identifier is when the SoC does not define any mechanism to uniquely identify the IP. An "insufficient" identifier might provide some defenses - for example, against the most common attacks - but it does not protect against everything that is intended. A "misconfigured" mechanism occurs when a mechanism is available but not implemented correctly. An "ignored" identifier occurs when the SoC/IP has not applied any policies or does not act upon the identifier securely.

What are the security consequences of Improper Identifier for IP Block used in System-On-Chip (SOC)?+

If exploited, CWE-1192 (Improper Identifier for IP Block used in System-On-Chip (SOC)) it can compromise Access Control, leading to outcomes such as Bypass Protection Mechanism.

How do you prevent or mitigate Improper Identifier for IP Block used in System-On-Chip (SOC)?+

Recommended mitigations for CWE-1192 include: Every identity generated in the SoC should be unique and immutable in hardware. The actions that an IP is trusted or not trusted should be clearly defined, implemented, configured, and tested. If the definition is implemented via a policy, then the policy should be immutable or protected with clear authentication and authorization.

Which programming languages are affected by Improper Identifier for IP Block used in System-On-Chip (SOC)?+

CWE-1192 commonly affects Not Language-Specific. Note that weaknesses are often language-agnostic patterns, so secure coding practices apply broadly.

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

A CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) like CWE-1192 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.

CWE-1192: Improper Identifier for IP Block used in System-On-Chip (SOC)

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