CWE-824: Access of Uninitialized Pointer
The product accesses or uses a pointer that has not been initialized.
How it's found
Access of Uninitialized Pointer 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.
If the pointer contains an uninitialized value, then the value might not point to a valid memory location. This could cause the product to read from or write to unexpected memory locations, leading to a denial of service. If the uninitialized pointer is used as a function call, then arbitrary functions could be invoked. If an attacker can influence the portion of uninitialized memory that is contained in the pointer, this weakness could be leveraged to execute code or perform other attacks. Depending on memory layout, associated memory management behaviors, and product operation, the attacker might be able to influence the contents of the uninitialized pointer, thus gaining more fine-grained control of the memory location to be accessed.
Consequences
- Read Memory: If the uninitialized pointer is used in a read operation, an attacker might be able to read sensitive portions of memory.
- DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart: If the uninitialized pointer references a memory location that is not accessible to the product, or points to a location that is "malformed" (such as NULL) or larger than expected by a read or write operation, then a crash may occur.
- Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands: If the uninitialized pointer is used in a function call, or points to unexpected data in a write operation, then code execution may be possible.
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-824?
The product accesses or uses a pointer that has not been initialized.
How do you find Access of Uninitialized Pointer?
Access of Uninitialized Pointer 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-824?
Read Memory: If the uninitialized pointer is used in a read operation, an attacker might be able to read sensitive portions of memory. DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart: If the uninitialized pointer references a memory location that is not accessible to the product, or points to a location that is "malformed" (such as NULL) or larger than expected by a read or write operation, then a crash may occur. Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands: If the uninitialized pointer is used in a function call, or points to unexpected data in a write operation, then code execution may be possible.
Does TurboPentest test for Access of Uninitialized Pointer?
This weakness is not covered by the automated black-box pentest. IntegSec pentesters cover it in a manual engagement.
Related CWEs
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.
Find these issues before an attacker does
TurboPentest runs an agentic AI pentest against your target and reports findings with proof, from $99 per target.
Start a pentest