CWE-149: Improper Neutralization of Quoting Syntax
Quotes injected into a product can be used to compromise a system. As data are parsed, an injected/absent/duplicate/malformed use of quotes may cause the process to take unexpected actions.
View on MITRETechnical Details
- Structure
- Simple
Applicable To
Security Consequences
Scope
Impact
Mitigation Strategies
Phase
Description
Developers should anticipate that quotes 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
Observed CVE Examples (2)
Database allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a MATCH AGAINST query with an opening double quote but no closing double quote.
View DetailsMIE. MFV too? bypass AV/security with fields that should not be quoted, duplicate quotes, missing leading/trailing quotes.
View DetailsCWE Relationships
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CWE-149: Improper Neutralization of Quoting Syntax?+
CWE-149: Improper Neutralization of Quoting Syntax is a Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) entry maintained by MITRE. Quotes injected into a product can be used to compromise a system. As data are parsed, an injected/absent/duplicate/malformed use of quotes may cause the process to take unexpected actions.
What are the security consequences of Improper Neutralization of Quoting Syntax?+
If exploited, CWE-149 (Improper Neutralization of Quoting Syntax) it can compromise Integrity, leading to outcomes such as Unexpected State.
How do you prevent or mitigate Improper Neutralization of Quoting Syntax?+
Recommended mitigations for CWE-149 include: Developers should anticipate that quotes 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 are real-world examples of Improper Neutralization of Quoting Syntax?+
MITRE documents real CVEs mapped to CWE-149, including CVE-2004-0956 and CVE-2003-1016. 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-149 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.