CWE-588: Attempt to Access Child of a Non-structure Pointer
Casting a non-structure type to a structure type and accessing a field can lead to memory access errors or data corruption.
How it's found
Attempt to Access Child of a Non-structure Pointer 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.
Consequences
- Modify Memory: Adjacent variables in memory may be corrupted by assignments performed on fields after the cast.
- DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart: Execution may end due to a memory access error.
Mitigations
- Requirements: The choice could be made to use a language that is not susceptible to these issues.
- Implementation: Review of type casting operations can identify locations where incompatible types are cast.
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-588?
Casting a non-structure type to a structure type and accessing a field can lead to memory access errors or data corruption.
How do you find Attempt to Access Child of a Non-structure Pointer?
Attempt to Access Child of a Non-structure Pointer 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-588?
Modify Memory: Adjacent variables in memory may be corrupted by assignments performed on fields after the cast. DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart: Execution may end due to a memory access error.
Does TurboPentest test for Attempt to Access Child of a Non-structure Pointer?
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.
Related CWEs
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