CWE-703: Improper Check or Handling of Exceptional Conditions
The product does not properly anticipate or handle exceptional conditions that rarely occur during normal operation of the product.
How it's found
Improper Check or Handling of Exceptional Conditions is a broad weakness category rather than one exact bug. Testers narrow it down through manual code review and architecture review to identify which of its more specific child weaknesses actually appears in a given target, then confirm each one individually.
Vulnerable vs. safe
...public void doExchange() throws Exception {}...public void doExchange() throws IOException, InvocationTargetException, SQLException {}Consequences
- Read Application Data, DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart, Unexpected State
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-703?
The product does not properly anticipate or handle exceptional conditions that rarely occur during normal operation of the product.
How do you find Improper Check or Handling of Exceptional Conditions?
Improper Check or Handling of Exceptional Conditions is a broad weakness category rather than one exact bug. Testers narrow it down through manual code review and architecture review to identify which of its more specific child weaknesses actually appears in a given target, then confirm each one individually.
What is the impact of CWE-703?
Read Application Data, DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart, Unexpected State
Does TurboPentest test for Improper Check or Handling of Exceptional Conditions?
This weakness is not covered by the automated black-box pentest. IntegSec pentesters cover it in a manual engagement.
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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