CWE-1294: Insecure Security Identifier Mechanism

Extended Description

Systems-On-Chip (Integrated circuits and hardware engines) implement Security Identifiers to differentiate/identify actions originated from various agents. These actions could be 'read', 'write', 'program', 'reset', 'fetch', 'compute', etc. Security identifiers are generated and assigned to every agent in the System (SoC) that is either capable of generating an action or receiving an action from another agent. Every agent could be assigned a unique, Security Identifier based on its trust level or privileges. A broad class of flaws can exist in the Security Identifier process, including but not limited to missing security identifiers, improper conversion of security identifiers, incorrect generation of security identifiers, etc.

Source-backed guidance

Additional facts reviewed against primary or authoritative security sources.

Verify controls for CWE-1294 with SSDF evidence

Use NIST SSDF verification and vulnerability-response practices to detect CWE-1294, Insecure Security Identifier Mechanism, 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 Insecure Security Identifier Mechanism during Architecture and Design

MITRE associates mitigation with Architecture and Design, and Implementation; recorded impacts include Modify Memory, Read Memory, DoS: Resource Consumption (Other), Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands, and Gain Privileges or Assume Identity; the entry maps to CAPEC-121, and CAPEC-681. Use these source-defined anchors to turn CWE-1294 into implementation, review, and verification checks for the affected component.

CWE-1294: Insecure Security Identifier Mechanism — MITRE CWE

Triage CWE-1294 against known exploitation evidence

Use CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog to test whether a vulnerability mapped to CWE-1294, Insecure Security Identifier Mechanism, 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-1294

Apply MITRE's full root-cause mapping guidance when using CWE-1294, Insecure Security Identifier Mechanism. 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-1294 with root-cause mapping checks

Apply MITRE's root-cause mapping quick tips to CWE-1294, Insecure Security Identifier Mechanism. 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-1294: Insecure Security Identifier Mechanism?+

CWE-1294: Insecure Security Identifier Mechanism is a Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) entry maintained by MITRE. The System-on-Chip (SoC) implements a Security Identifier mechanism to differentiate what actions are allowed or disallowed when a transaction originates from an entity. However, the Security Identifiers are not correctly implemented. Systems-On-Chip (Integrated circuits and hardware engines) implement Security Identifiers to differentiate/identify actions originated from various agents. These actions could be 'read', 'write', 'program', 'reset', 'fetch', 'compute', etc. Security identifiers are generated and assigned to every agent in the System (SoC) that is either capable of generating an action or receiving an action from another agent. Every agent could be assigned a unique, Security Identifier based on its trust level or privileges. A broad class of flaws can exist in the Security Identifier process, including but not limited to missing security identifiers, improper conversion of security identifiers, incorrect generation of security identifiers, etc.

What are the security consequences of Insecure Security Identifier Mechanism?+

If exploited, CWE-1294 (Insecure Security Identifier Mechanism) it can compromise Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability and Access Control, leading to outcomes such as Modify Memory, Read Memory, DoS: Resource Consumption (Other), Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands, Gain Privileges or Assume Identity and Quality Degradation.

How do you prevent or mitigate Insecure Security Identifier Mechanism?+

Recommended mitigations for CWE-1294 include: Security Identifier Decoders must be reviewed for design inconsistency and common weaknesses. Access and programming flows must be tested in pre-silicon and post-silicon testing.

Which programming languages are affected by Insecure Security Identifier Mechanism?+

CWE-1294 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-1294 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-1294: Insecure Security Identifier Mechanism

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