CWE-187: Partial String Comparison
The product performs a comparison that only examines a portion of a factor before determining whether there is a match, such as a substring, leading to resultant weaknesses.
How it's found
Partial String Comparison 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.
For example, an attacker might succeed in authentication by providing a small password that matches the associated portion of the larger, correct password.
Consequences
- Alter Execution Logic, Bypass Protection Mechanism
Mitigations
- Testing: Thoroughly test the comparison scheme before deploying code into production. Perform positive testing as well as negative testing.
Where this fits in a TurboPentest engagement
TurboPentest's agentic pentest is powerful and covers a broad range of issues automatically. This particular class is best confirmed in a manual IntegSec engagement, where human pentesters apply deeper methodology and a larger context window than any automated pass.
Frequently asked questions
What is CWE-187?
The product performs a comparison that only examines a portion of a factor before determining whether there is a match, such as a substring, leading to resultant weaknesses.
How do you find Partial String Comparison?
Partial String Comparison 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-187?
Alter Execution Logic, Bypass Protection Mechanism
Does TurboPentest test for Partial String Comparison?
TurboPentest's agentic pentest is powerful and covers a broad range of issues automatically. This particular class is best confirmed in a manual IntegSec engagement, where human pentesters apply deeper methodology and a larger context window than any automated pass.
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