CWE-241: Improper Handling of Unexpected Data Type
The product does not handle or incorrectly handles when a particular element is not the expected type, e.g. it expects a digit (0-9) but is provided with a letter (A-Z).
View on MITRETechnical Details
- Structure
- Simple
Applicable To
Security Consequences
Scope
Impact
Mitigation Strategies
No mitigation information available for this CWE.
Detection Methods
No detection method information available for this CWE.
Code Examples & CVEs
Observed CVE Examples (2)
CWE Relationships
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CWE-241: Improper Handling of Unexpected Data Type?+
CWE-241: Improper Handling of Unexpected Data Type is a Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) entry maintained by MITRE. The product does not handle or incorrectly handles when a particular element is not the expected type, e.g. it expects a digit (0-9) but is provided with a letter (A-Z).
What are the security consequences of Improper Handling of Unexpected Data Type?+
If exploited, CWE-241 (Improper Handling of Unexpected Data Type) it can compromise Integrity and Other, leading to outcomes such as Varies by Context and Unexpected State.
Which programming languages are affected by Improper Handling of Unexpected Data Type?+
CWE-241 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 Handling of Unexpected Data Type?+
MITRE documents real CVEs mapped to CWE-241, including CVE-1999-1156 and CVE-2004-0270. 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-241 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.