Improper input validation or unchecked user input is a type of vulnerability in computer software that may be used for security exploits. This vulnerability is caused when "[t]he product does not validate or incorrectly validates input that can affect the control flow or data flow of a program."
Examples include:
- Buffer overflow
- Cross-site scripting
- Directory traversal
- Null byte injection
- SQL injection
- Uncontrolled format string
References
"CWE-20: Improper Input Validation". Common Weakness Enumeration. MITRE. December 13, 2010. Retrieved February 22, 2011. http://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/20.html ↩
Erickson, Jon (2008). Hacking: the art of exploitation. No Starch Press Series (2, illustrated ed.). Safari Books Online. ISBN 978-1-59327-144-2. 978-1-59327-144-2 ↩
"CWE-20: Improper Input Validation". Common Weakness Enumeration. MITRE. December 13, 2010. Retrieved February 22, 2011. http://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/20.html ↩