CWE-1299
Missing Protection Mechanism for Alternate Hardware Interface
Extended description
An asset inside a chip might have access-control protections through one interface. However, if all paths to the asset are not protected, an attacker might compromise the asset through alternate paths. These alternate paths could be through shadow or mirror registers inside the IP core, or could be paths from other external-facing interfaces to the IP core or SoC. Consider an SoC with various interfaces such as UART, SMBUS, PCIe, USB, etc. If access control is implemented for SoC internal registers only over the PCIe interface, then an attacker could still modify the SoC internal registers through alternate paths by coming through interfaces such as UART, SMBUS, USB, etc. Alternatively, attackers might be able to bypass existing protections by exploiting unprotected, shadow registers. Shadow registers and mirror registers typically refer to registers that can be accessed from multiple addresses. Writing to or reading from the aliased/mirrored address has the same effect as writing to the address of the main register. They are typically implemented within an IP core or SoC to temporarily hold certain data. These data will later be updated to the main register, and both registers will be in synch. If the shadow registers are not access-protected, attackers could simply initiate transactions to the shadow registers and compromise system security.
Common consequences1
- ConfidentialityIntegrityAvailabilityAccess ControlModify MemoryRead MemoryDoS: Resource Consumption (Other)Execute Unauthorized Code or CommandsGain Privileges or Assume IdentityAlter Execution LogicBypass Protection MechanismQuality Degradation
Potential mitigations3
- RequirementsDefense in Depth
Protect assets from accesses against all potential interfaces and alternate paths.
- Architecture and DesignDefense in Depth
Protect assets from accesses against all potential interfaces and alternate paths.
- ImplementationDefense in Depth
Protect assets from accesses against all potential interfaces and alternate paths.
CVEs referencing this CWE10
| CVE | Description | Severity | EPSS | Flags | Modified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVE-2024-47944 | The device directly executes .patch firmware upgrade files on a USB stick without any prior authentication in the admin interface. This leads to an unauthenticated code execution via the firmware upgrade function. | MEDIUM6.8 | 0.40%p33 | 2026-06-17 | |
| CVE-2025-26409 | A serial interface can be accessed with physical access to the PCB of Wattsense Bridge devices. After connecting to the interface, access to the bootloader is possible, as well as a Linux login prompt. The bootloader access can be used to gain a root shell on the device. This issue is fixed in recent firmware versions BSP >= 6.4.1. | MEDIUM6.8 | 0.33%p25 | 2026-06-17 | |
| CVE-2023-29060 | The FACSChorus workstation operating system does not restrict what devices can interact with its USB ports. If exploited, a threat actor with physical access to the workstation could gain access to system information and potentially exfiltrate data. | MEDIUM5.7 | 0.30%p22 | 2026-06-17 | |
| CVE-2024-39723 | IBM FlashSystem 5300 USB ports may be usable even if the port has been disabled by the administrator. A user with physical access to the system could use the USB port to cause loss of access to data. IBM X-Force ID: 295935. | MEDIUM4.6 | 0.25%p16 | 2026-06-17 | |
| CVE-2025-41697 | An attacker can use an undocumented UART port on the PCB as a side-channel to get root access e.g. with the credentials obtained from CVE-2025-41692. | MEDIUM6.8 | 0.23%p14 | 2026-06-17 | |
| CVE-2021-3788 | An exposed debug interface was reported in some Motorola-branded Binatone Hubble Cameras that could allow an attacker with physical access unauthorized access to the device. | MEDIUM6.8 | 0.23%p14 | 2026-06-17 | |
| CVE-2022-43557 | The BD BodyGuard™ infusion pumps specified allow for access through the RS-232 (serial) port interface. If exploited, threat actors with physical access, specialized equipment and knowledge may be able to configure or disable the pump. No electronic protected health information (ePHI), protected health information (PHI) or personally identifiable information (PII) is stored in the pump. | MEDIUM5.3 | 0.22%p12 | 2026-06-17 | |
| CVE-2025-1073 | Panasonic IR Control Hub (IR Blaster) versions 1.17 and earlier may allow an attacker with physical access to load unauthorized firmware onto the device. | HIGH7.5 | 0.21%p11 | 2026-06-17 | |
| CVE-2023-29063 | The FACSChorus workstation does not prevent physical access to its PCI express (PCIe) slots, which could allow a threat actor to insert a PCI card designed for memory capture. A threat actor can then isolate sensitive information such as a BitLocker encryption key from a dump of the workstation RAM during startup. | LOW2.4 | 0.18%p8 | 2026-06-17 | |
| CVE-2025-35998 | Missing protection mechanism for alternate hardware interface in the Intel(R) Quick Assist Technology for some Intel(R) Platforms within Ring 0: Kernel may allow an escalation of privilege. System software adversary with a privileged user combined with a low complexity attack may enable escalation of privilege. This result may potentially occur via local access when attack requirements are present with special internal knowledge and requires no user interaction. The potential vulnerability may impact the confidentiality (high), integrity (high) and availability (none) of the vulnerable system, resulting in subsequent system confidentiality (none), integrity (none) and availability (none) impacts. | HIGH7.9 | 0.15%p5 | 2026-07-15 |