The product does not properly handle when an input uses an alternate encoding that is valid for the control sphere to which the input is being sent.
View on MITRENo mitigation information available for this CWE.
No detection method information available for this CWE.
No examples or observed CVEs available for this CWE.
CWE-173: Improper Handling of Alternate Encoding is a Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) entry maintained by MITRE. The product does not properly handle when an input uses an alternate encoding that is valid for the control sphere to which the input is being sent.
If exploited, CWE-173 (Improper Handling of Alternate Encoding) it can compromise Access Control, leading to outcomes such as Bypass Protection Mechanism.
CWE-173 commonly affects Not Language-Specific. Note that weaknesses are often language-agnostic patterns, so secure coding practices apply broadly.
A CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) like CWE-173 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.