CWE-511: Logic/Time Bomb

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The product contains code that is designed to disrupt the legitimate operation of the product (or its environment) when a certain time passes, or when a certain logical condition is met.

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Extended Description

When the time bomb or logic bomb is detonated, it may perform a denial of service such as crashing the system, deleting critical data, or degrading system response time. This bomb might be placed within either a replicating or non-replicating Trojan horse.

Technical Details

Structure
Simple

Applicable To

Languages
Not Language-Specific
Platforms

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CWE-511: Logic/Time Bomb?+

CWE-511: Logic/Time Bomb is a Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) entry maintained by MITRE. The product contains code that is designed to disrupt the legitimate operation of the product (or its environment) when a certain time passes, or when a certain logical condition is met. When the time bomb or logic bomb is detonated, it may perform a denial of service such as crashing the system, deleting critical data, or degrading system response time. This bomb might be placed within either a replicating or non-replicating Trojan horse.

What are the security consequences of Logic/Time Bomb?+

If exploited, CWE-511 (Logic/Time Bomb) it can compromise Other and Integrity, leading to outcomes such as Varies by Context and Alter Execution Logic.

How do you prevent or mitigate Logic/Time Bomb?+

Recommended mitigations for CWE-511 include: Always verify the integrity of the product that is being installed. Conduct a code coverage analysis using live testing, then closely inspect any code that is not covered.

Which programming languages are affected by Logic/Time Bomb?+

CWE-511 commonly affects Not Language-Specific. Note that weaknesses are often language-agnostic patterns, so secure coding practices apply broadly.

What is the difference between a CWE and a CVE?+

A CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) like CWE-511 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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