CWE-1293: Missing Source Correlation of Multiple Independent Data

Extended Description

To operate successfully, a product sometimes has to implicitly trust the integrity of an information source. When information is implicitly signed, one can ensure that the data was not tampered in transit. This does not ensure that the information source was not compromised when responding to a request. By requesting information from multiple sources, one can check if all of the data is the same. If they are not, the system should report the information sources that respond with a different or minority value as potentially compromised. If there are not enough answers to provide a majority or plurality of responses, the system should report all of the sources as potentially compromised. As the seriousness of the impact of incorrect integrity increases, so should the number of independent information sources that would need to be queried.

Source-backed guidance

Additional facts reviewed against primary or authoritative security sources.

Verify controls for CWE-1293 with SSDF evidence

Use NIST SSDF verification and vulnerability-response practices to detect CWE-1293, Missing Source Correlation of Multiple Independent Data, 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

Address Missing Source Correlation of Multiple Independent Data during Requirements

MITRE associates mitigation with Requirements, and Implementation; recorded impacts include Read Application Data, Modify Application Data, and Gain Privileges or Assume Identity; related weaknesses include CWE-345, and CWE-654. Use these source-defined anchors to turn CWE-1293 into implementation, review, and verification checks for the affected component.

CWE-1293: Missing Source Correlation of Multiple Independent Data — MITRE CWE

Triage CWE-1293 against known exploitation evidence

Use CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog to test whether a vulnerability mapped to CWE-1293, Missing Source Correlation of Multiple Independent Data, 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-1293

Apply MITRE's full root-cause mapping guidance when using CWE-1293, Missing Source Correlation of Multiple Independent Data. 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-1293 with root-cause mapping checks

Apply MITRE's root-cause mapping quick tips to CWE-1293, Missing Source Correlation of Multiple Independent Data. 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-1293: Missing Source Correlation of Multiple Independent Data?+

CWE-1293: Missing Source Correlation of Multiple Independent Data is a Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) entry maintained by MITRE. The product relies on one source of data, preventing the ability to detect if an adversary has compromised a data source. To operate successfully, a product sometimes has to implicitly trust the integrity of an information source. When information is implicitly signed, one can ensure that the data was not tampered in transit. This does not ensure that the information source was not compromised when responding to a request. By requesting information from multiple sources, one can check if all of the data is the same. If they are not, the system should report the information sources that respond with a different or minority value as potentially compromised. If there are not enough answers to provide a majority or plurality of responses, the system should report all of the sources as potentially compromised. As the seriousness of the impact of incorrect integrity increases, so should the number of independent information sources that would need to be queried.

What are the security consequences of Missing Source Correlation of Multiple Independent Data?+

If exploited, CWE-1293 (Missing Source Correlation of Multiple Independent Data) it can compromise Confidentiality and Integrity, leading to outcomes such as Read Application Data, Modify Application Data and Gain Privileges or Assume Identity.

How do you prevent or mitigate Missing Source Correlation of Multiple Independent Data?+

Recommended mitigations for CWE-1293 include: Design system to use a Practical Byzantine fault method, to request information from multiple sources to verify the data and report on potentially compromised information sources. Failure to use a Practical Byzantine fault method when requesting data. Lack of place to report potentially compromised information sources. Relying on non-independent information sources for integrity checking. Failure to report information sources that respond in the minority to incident response procedures.

Which programming languages are affected by Missing Source Correlation of Multiple Independent Data?+

CWE-1293 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-1293 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-1293: Missing Source Correlation of Multiple Independent Data

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