CWE-1301: Insufficient or Incomplete Data Removal within Hardware Component
The product's data removal process does not completely delete all data and potentially sensitive information within hardware components.
How it's found
Insufficient or Incomplete Data Removal within Hardware Component is typically found by tracing untrusted input from where it enters the system to the point where it is used without the check or neutralization this weakness describes, combining manual code review with dynamic testing.
Physical properties of hardware devices, such as remanence of magnetic media, residual charge of ROMs/RAMs, or screen burn-in may still retain sensitive data after a data removal process has taken place and power is removed. Recovering data after erasure or overwriting is possible due to a phenomenon called data remanence. For example, if the same value is written repeatedly to a memory location, the corresponding memory cells can become physically altered to a degree such that even after the original data is erased that data can still be recovered through physical characterization of the memory cells.
Consequences
- Read Memory, Read Application Data
Mitigations
- Architecture and Design: Apply blinding or masking techniques to implementations of cryptographic algorithms.
- Implementation: Alter the method of erasure, add protection of media, or destroy the media to protect the data.
Where this fits in a TurboPentest engagement
This weakness is not covered by the automated black-box pentest. IntegSec pentesters cover it in a manual engagement.
Frequently asked questions
What is CWE-1301?
The product's data removal process does not completely delete all data and potentially sensitive information within hardware components.
How do you find Insufficient or Incomplete Data Removal within Hardware Component?
Insufficient or Incomplete Data Removal within Hardware Component is typically found by tracing untrusted input from where it enters the system to the point where it is used without the check or neutralization this weakness describes, combining manual code review with dynamic testing.
What is the impact of CWE-1301?
Read Memory, Read Application Data
Does TurboPentest test for Insufficient or Incomplete Data Removal within Hardware Component?
This weakness is not covered by the automated black-box pentest. IntegSec pentesters cover it in a manual engagement.
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Written and reviewed by
Michel Chamberland - Founder & CEO, IntegSec
CISSP, OSCP, OSCE, CEH, GIAC, CCSK · 20+ years in offensive security
Michel has spent 20+ years on offensive security teams including IBM X-Force Red and Trustwave SpiderLabs, leading penetration tests, red team engagements, and breach response for Fortune 500 customers. He is the founder of IntegSec and the architect of TurboPentest.
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