CWE-425: Direct Request ('Forced Browsing')

BaseIncomplete

The web application does not adequately enforce appropriate authorization on all restricted URLs, scripts, or files.

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Extended Description

Web applications susceptible to direct request attacks often make the false assumption that such resources can only be reached through a given navigation path and so only apply authorization at certain points in the path.

Technical Details

Structure
Simple

Applicable To

Languages
Not Language-Specific
Platforms

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CWE-425: Direct Request ('Forced Browsing')?+

CWE-425: Direct Request ('Forced Browsing') is a Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) entry maintained by MITRE. The web application does not adequately enforce appropriate authorization on all restricted URLs, scripts, or files. Web applications susceptible to direct request attacks often make the false assumption that such resources can only be reached through a given navigation path and so only apply authorization at certain points in the path.

What are the security consequences of Direct Request ('Forced Browsing')?+

If exploited, CWE-425 (Direct Request ('Forced Browsing')) it can compromise Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability and Access Control, leading to outcomes such as Read Application Data, Modify Application Data, Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands and Gain Privileges or Assume Identity.

How do you prevent or mitigate Direct Request ('Forced Browsing')?+

Recommended mitigations for CWE-425 include: Apply appropriate access control authorizations for each access to all restricted URLs, scripts or files. Consider using MVC based frameworks such as Struts.

Which programming languages are affected by Direct Request ('Forced Browsing')?+

CWE-425 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 Direct Request ('Forced Browsing')?+

MITRE documents real CVEs mapped to CWE-425, including CVE-2022-29238, CVE-2022-23607, CVE-2004-2144, CVE-2005-1892 and CVE-2004-2257. 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-425 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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