CWE-181: Incorrect Behavior Order: Validate Before Filter
The product validates data before it has been filtered, which prevents the product from detecting data that becomes invalid after the filtering step.
How it's found
Incorrect Behavior Order: Validate Before Filter is a specific, narrowly defined instance of a broader pattern. Testers confirm it with targeted code review and a proof-of-concept input that exercises the exact code path this weakness describes.
This can be used by an attacker to bypass the validation and launch attacks that expose weaknesses that would otherwise be prevented, such as injection.
Consequences
- Bypass Protection Mechanism
Mitigations
- Implementation/Architecture and Design: Inputs should be decoded and canonicalized to the application's current internal representation before being filtered.
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-181?
The product validates data before it has been filtered, which prevents the product from detecting data that becomes invalid after the filtering step.
How do you find Incorrect Behavior Order: Validate Before Filter?
Incorrect Behavior Order: Validate Before Filter is a specific, narrowly defined instance of a broader pattern. Testers confirm it with targeted code review and a proof-of-concept input that exercises the exact code path this weakness describes.
What is the impact of CWE-181?
Bypass Protection Mechanism
Does TurboPentest test for Incorrect Behavior Order: Validate Before Filter?
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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