The requirements for the product dictate the use of an established authentication algorithm, but the implementation of the algorithm is incorrect.
View on MITREThis incorrect implementation may allow authentication to be bypassed.
No mitigation information available for this CWE.
No detection method information available for this CWE.
CWE-303: Incorrect Implementation of Authentication Algorithm is a Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) entry maintained by MITRE. The requirements for the product dictate the use of an established authentication algorithm, but the implementation of the algorithm is incorrect. This incorrect implementation may allow authentication to be bypassed.
If exploited, CWE-303 (Incorrect Implementation of Authentication Algorithm) it can compromise Access Control, leading to outcomes such as Bypass Protection Mechanism.
CWE-303 commonly affects Not Language-Specific. Note that weaknesses are often language-agnostic patterns, so secure coding practices apply broadly.
MITRE documents real CVEs mapped to CWE-303, including CVE-2003-0750. You can look up the full details of each CVE, including CVSS scores and remediation guidance, on our CVE Lookup tool.
A CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) like CWE-303 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.