CWE-1426: Improper Validation of Generative AI Output

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The product invokes a generative AI/ML component whose behaviors and outputs cannot be directly controlled, but the product does not validate or insufficiently validates the outputs to ensure that they align with the intended security, content, or privacy policy.

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Technical Details

Structure
Simple

Applicable To

Languages
Not Language-Specific
Platforms

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CWE-1426: Improper Validation of Generative AI Output?+

CWE-1426: Improper Validation of Generative AI Output is a Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) entry maintained by MITRE. The product invokes a generative AI/ML component whose behaviors and outputs cannot be directly controlled, but the product does not validate or insufficiently validates the outputs to ensure that they align with the intended security, content, or privacy policy.

What are the security consequences of Improper Validation of Generative AI Output?+

If exploited, CWE-1426 (Improper Validation of Generative AI Output) it can compromise Integrity, leading to outcomes such as Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands and Varies by Context.

How do you prevent or mitigate Improper Validation of Generative AI Output?+

Recommended mitigations for CWE-1426 include: Since the output from a generative AI component (such as an LLM) cannot be trusted, ensure that it operates in an untrusted or non-privileged space. Use "semantic comparators," which are mechanisms that provide semantic comparison to identify objects that might appear different but are semantically similar. Use components that operate externally to the system to monitor the output and act as a moderator. These components are called different terms, such as supervisors or guardrails.

How is Improper Validation of Generative AI Output detected?+

CWE-1426 can be detected using Dynamic Analysis with Manual Results Interpretation, Dynamic Analysis with Automated Results Interpretation and Architecture or Design Review. Combining automated tooling with manual review typically yields the best coverage.

Which programming languages are affected by Improper Validation of Generative AI Output?+

CWE-1426 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 Improper Validation of Generative AI Output?+

MITRE documents real CVEs mapped to CWE-1426, including CVE-2024-3402. 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-1426 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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