CWE-771: Missing Reference to Active Allocated Resource
The product does not properly maintain a reference to a resource that has been allocated, which prevents the resource from being reclaimed.
View on MITREExtended Description
This does not necessarily apply in languages or frameworks that automatically perform garbage collection, since the removal of all references may act as a signal that the resource is ready to be reclaimed.
Technical Details
- Structure
- Simple
Applicable To
Security Consequences
Scope
Impact
An attacker that can influence the allocation of resources that are not properly maintained could deplete the available resource pool and prevent all other processes from accessing the same type of resource.
Mitigation Strategies
No mitigation information available for this CWE.
Detection Methods
No detection method information available for this CWE.
Code Examples & CVEs
No examples or observed CVEs available for this CWE.
CWE Relationships
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CWE-771: Missing Reference to Active Allocated Resource?+
CWE-771: Missing Reference to Active Allocated Resource is a Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) entry maintained by MITRE. The product does not properly maintain a reference to a resource that has been allocated, which prevents the resource from being reclaimed. This does not necessarily apply in languages or frameworks that automatically perform garbage collection, since the removal of all references may act as a signal that the resource is ready to be reclaimed.
What are the security consequences of Missing Reference to Active Allocated Resource?+
If exploited, CWE-771 (Missing Reference to Active Allocated Resource) it can compromise Availability, leading to outcomes such as DoS: Resource Consumption (Other).
What is the difference between a CWE and a CVE?+
A CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) like CWE-771 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.