CWE-239: Failure to Handle Incomplete Element

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The product does not properly handle when a particular element is not completely specified.

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Technical Details

Structure
Simple

Applicable To

Languages
Not Language-Specific
Platforms

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CWE-239: Failure to Handle Incomplete Element?+

CWE-239: Failure to Handle Incomplete Element is a Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) entry maintained by MITRE. The product does not properly handle when a particular element is not completely specified.

What are the security consequences of Failure to Handle Incomplete Element?+

If exploited, CWE-239 (Failure to Handle Incomplete Element) it can compromise Integrity and Other, leading to outcomes such as Varies by Context and Unexpected State.

Which programming languages are affected by Failure to Handle Incomplete Element?+

CWE-239 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 Failure to Handle Incomplete Element?+

MITRE documents real CVEs mapped to CWE-239, including CVE-2002-1532, CVE-2003-0195, CVE-2005-2526 and CVE-2002-1906. 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-239 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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