CWE-148: Improper Neutralization of Input Leaders
The product does not properly handle when a leading character or sequence ("leader") is missing or malformed, or if multiple leaders are used when only one should be allowed.
View on MITRETechnical Details
- Structure
- Simple
Applicable To
Security Consequences
Scope
Impact
Mitigation Strategies
Phase
Description
Developers should anticipate that leading characters will be injected/removed/manipulated in the input vectors of their product. Use an appropriate combination of denylists and allowlists to ensure only valid, expected and appropriate input is processed by the system.
Detection Methods
No detection method information available for this CWE.
Code Examples & CVEs
No examples or observed CVEs available for this CWE.
CWE Relationships
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CWE-148: Improper Neutralization of Input Leaders?+
CWE-148: Improper Neutralization of Input Leaders is a Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) entry maintained by MITRE. The product does not properly handle when a leading character or sequence ("leader") is missing or malformed, or if multiple leaders are used when only one should be allowed.
What are the security consequences of Improper Neutralization of Input Leaders?+
If exploited, CWE-148 (Improper Neutralization of Input Leaders) it can compromise Integrity, leading to outcomes such as Unexpected State.
How do you prevent or mitigate Improper Neutralization of Input Leaders?+
Recommended mitigations for CWE-148 include: Developers should anticipate that leading characters will be injected/removed/manipulated in the input vectors of their product. Use an appropriate combination of denylists and allowlists to ensure only valid, expected and appropriate input is processed by the system.
What is the difference between a CWE and a CVE?+
A CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) like CWE-148 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.