CWE-862
Weakness Allowed-with-ReviewMissing Authorization
Abstraction: Class · Status: Incomplete
The product does not perform an authorization check when an actor attempts to access a resource or perform an action.
Dimensions
- Behavior-Property: Missing
- Behavior-Type: Authorization
Mapping guidance
This CWE entry is a Class and might have Base-level children that would be more appropriate
Examine children of this entry to see if there is a better fit
Relationships and members
Modes of introduction
OMISSION: This weakness is caused by missing a security tactic during the architecture and design phase.
Authorization weaknesses may arise when a single-user application is ported to a multi-user environment.
A developer may introduce authorization weaknesses because of a lack of understanding about the underlying technologies. For example, a developer may assume that attackers cannot modify certain inputs such as headers or cookies.
Detection methods
Automated Static Analysis
Automated static analysis is useful for detecting commonly-used idioms for authorization. A tool may be able to analyze related configuration files, such as .htaccess in Apache web servers, or detect the usage of commonly-used authorization libraries.
Generally, automated static analysis tools have difficulty detecting custom authorization schemes. In addition, the software's design may include some functionality that is accessible to any user and does not require an authorization check; an automated technique that detects the absence of authorization may report false positives.
Effectiveness: Limited
Automated Dynamic Analysis
Automated dynamic analysis may find many or all possible interfaces that do not require authorization, but manual analysis is required to determine if the lack of authorization violates business logic.
Manual Analysis
This weakness can be detected using tools and techniques that require manual (human) analysis, such as penetration testing, threat modeling, and interactive tools that allow the tester to record and modify an active session.
Specifically, manual static analysis is useful for evaluating the correctness of custom authorization mechanisms.
Effectiveness: Moderate
These may be more effective than strictly automated techniques. This is especially the case with weaknesses that are related to design and business rules. However, manual efforts might not achieve desired code coverage within limited time constraints.
Manual Static Analysis - Binary or Bytecode
According to SOAR [REF-1479], the following detection techniques may be useful:
Cost effective for partial coverage:
Binary / Bytecode disassembler - then use manual analysis for vulnerabilities & anomalies
Effectiveness: SOAR Partial
Dynamic Analysis with Automated Results Interpretation
According to SOAR [REF-1479], the following detection techniques may be useful:
Cost effective for partial coverage:
Web Application Scanner
Web Services Scanner
Database Scanners
Effectiveness: SOAR Partial
Dynamic Analysis with Manual Results Interpretation
According to SOAR [REF-1479], the following detection techniques may be useful:
Cost effective for partial coverage:
Host Application Interface Scanner
Fuzz Tester
Framework-based Fuzzer
Effectiveness: SOAR Partial
Manual Static Analysis - Source Code
According to SOAR [REF-1479], the following detection techniques may be useful:
Cost effective for partial coverage:
Focused Manual Spotcheck - Focused manual analysis of source
Manual Source Code Review (not inspections)
Effectiveness: SOAR Partial
Automated Static Analysis - Source Code
According to SOAR [REF-1479], the following detection techniques may be useful:
Cost effective for partial coverage:
Source code Weakness Analyzer
Context-configured Source Code Weakness Analyzer
Effectiveness: SOAR Partial
Architecture or Design Review
According to SOAR [REF-1479], the following detection techniques may be useful:
Highly cost effective:
Inspection (IEEE 1028 standard) (can apply to requirements, design, source code, etc.)
Formal Methods / Correct-By-Construction
Effectiveness: High
Notes
Terminology
Assuming a user with a given identity, authorization is the process of determining whether that user can access a given resource, based on the user's privileges and any permissions or other access-control specifications that apply to the resource.
Content history
Suggested mappings to ISA/IEC 62443.
Provided diagram to improve CWE usability
updated Demonstrative_Examples, Related_Attack_Patterns, Relationships
updated Potential_Mitigations, References, Relationships
updated Demonstrative_Examples, Observed_Examples, References, Relationships
updated Potential_Mitigations
updated Relationships
updated Detection_Factors
updated Relationships
updated Applicable_Platforms, Modes_of_Introduction, References, Relationships
updated References
updated Relationships
updated Relationships
updated Relationships
updated Relationships
updated Alternate_Terms, Observed_Examples
updated Observed_Examples, Related_Attack_Patterns, Relationships
updated Relationships
updated Relationships
updated Observed_Examples
updated Description, Potential_Mitigations
updated References, Relationships, Taxonomy_Mappings
updated Mapping_Notes, Relationships, Taxonomy_Mappings
updated Common_Consequences, Description, Diagram, Relationships, Terminology_Notes
updated Applicable_Platforms, Detection_Factors, Observed_Examples, References
updated Applicable_Platforms, Relationships, Weakness_Ordinalities
updated Applicable_Platforms, Observed_Examples, Relationships
updated Applicable_Platforms, Dimensions, References, Relationships, Taxonomy_Mappings
19851 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-7574-8CRW-5432
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-01-04 12:30 – Updated: 2023-01-10 18:30In network service, there is a missing permission check. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with System execution privileges needed.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-39083"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-276",
"CWE-77",
"CWE-862"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-01-04T10:15:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "In network service, there is a missing permission check. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with System execution privileges needed.",
"id": "GHSA-7574-8crw-5432",
"modified": "2023-01-10T18:30:27Z",
"published": "2023-01-04T12:30:29Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-39083"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.unisoc.com/en_us/secy/announcementDetail/1610118225591336001"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-7579-VG8J-QMQ7
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 19:19 – Updated: 2022-05-24 19:19The WP Attachment Export WordPress plugin before 0.2.4 does not have proper access controls, allowing unauthenticated users to download the XML data that holds all the details of attachments/posts on a Wordpress
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2015-20067"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-862"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2021-11-01T09:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "The WP Attachment Export WordPress plugin before 0.2.4 does not have proper access controls, allowing unauthenticated users to download the XML data that holds all the details of attachments/posts on a Wordpress",
"id": "GHSA-7579-vg8j-qmq7",
"modified": "2022-05-24T19:19:21Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T19:19:21Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2015-20067"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/espreto/wpsploit/blob/master/modules/auxiliary/scanner/http/wp_attachment_export_file_download.rb"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2015/Jul/73"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/d1a9ed65-baf3-4c85-b077-1f37d8c7793a"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-757H-48W7-3VC3
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-08-05 09:31 – Updated: 2026-08-05 18:31The Sunshine Photo Cart WordPress plugin before 3.6.12 does not perform access control checks in one of its AJAX actions, allowing unauthenticated users to retrieve the comments of images belonging to private, password-protected or otherwise access-restricted galleries.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-16561"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-862"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-08-05T07:16:35Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "The Sunshine Photo Cart WordPress plugin before 3.6.12 does not perform access control checks in one of its AJAX actions, allowing unauthenticated users to retrieve the comments of images belonging to private, password-protected or otherwise access-restricted galleries.",
"id": "GHSA-757h-48w7-3vc3",
"modified": "2026-08-05T18:31:29Z",
"published": "2026-08-05T09:31:14Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-16561"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/25bbf054-3b3f-4d88-899e-03d48055cbcd"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-758Q-GRFG-CHRV
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-08-25 21:31 – Updated: 2026-08-26 18:31Missing authorization in CustomTabs in Google Chrome on on Android prior to 152.0.7977.65 allowed a local attacker to potentially execute arbitrary code outside the sandbox via a co-installed app. (Chromium security severity: Medium)
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-79286"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-862"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-08-25T21:18:22Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Missing authorization in CustomTabs in Google Chrome on on Android prior to 152.0.7977.65 allowed a local attacker to potentially execute arbitrary code outside the sandbox via a co-installed app. (Chromium security severity: Medium)",
"id": "GHSA-758q-grfg-chrv",
"modified": "2026-08-26T18:31:48Z",
"published": "2026-08-25T21:31:49Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-79286"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2026/08/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_0256176589.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://issues.chromium.org/issues/497940451"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-758V-PPRX-JJ23
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-12-09 18:30 – Updated: 2026-01-20 15:32Missing Authorization vulnerability in sergiotrinity Trinity Audio trinity-audio allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels.This issue affects Trinity Audio: from n/a through <= 5.23.3.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-67466"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-862"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-12-09T16:18:22Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Missing Authorization vulnerability in sergiotrinity Trinity Audio trinity-audio allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels.This issue affects Trinity Audio: from n/a through \u003c= 5.23.3.",
"id": "GHSA-758v-pprx-jj23",
"modified": "2026-01-20T15:32:05Z",
"published": "2025-12-09T18:30:41Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-67466"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Plugin/trinity-audio/vulnerability/wordpress-trinity-audio-plugin-5-23-3-broken-access-control-vulnerability?_s_id=cve"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vdp.patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Plugin/trinity-audio/vulnerability/wordpress-trinity-audio-plugin-5-23-3-broken-access-control-vulnerability?_s_id=cve"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-759X-3RMG-C5WW
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-07-13 00:00 – Updated: 2022-07-17 00:00The application SAP Enterprise Extension Defense Forces & Public Security - versions 605, 606, 616,617,618, 802, 803, 804, 805, 806, does not perform necessary authorization checks for an authenticated user over the network, resulting in escalation of privileges leading to a limited impact on confidentiality.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-31592"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-862"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-07-12T21:15:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "The application SAP Enterprise Extension Defense Forces \u0026 Public Security - versions 605, 606, 616,617,618, 802, 803, 804, 805, 806, does not perform necessary authorization checks for an authenticated user over the network, resulting in escalation of privileges leading to a limited impact on confidentiality.",
"id": "GHSA-759x-3rmg-c5ww",
"modified": "2022-07-17T00:00:46Z",
"published": "2022-07-13T00:00:41Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-31592"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://launchpad.support.sap.com/#/notes/3196280"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.sap.com/documents/2022/02/fa865ea4-167e-0010-bca6-c68f7e60039b.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-75C8-99JX-256C
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-12-13 15:30 – Updated: 2026-04-01 18:32Missing Authorization vulnerability in PINPOINT.WORLD Pinpoint Booking System allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels.This issue affects Pinpoint Booking System: from n/a through 2.9.9.5.2.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-54252"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-862"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-12-13T15:15:29Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Missing Authorization vulnerability in PINPOINT.WORLD Pinpoint Booking System allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels.This issue affects Pinpoint Booking System: from n/a through 2.9.9.5.2.",
"id": "GHSA-75c8-99jx-256c",
"modified": "2026-04-01T18:32:43Z",
"published": "2024-12-13T15:30:43Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-54252"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://patchstack.com/database/wordpress/plugin/booking-system/vulnerability/wordpress-pinpoint-booking-system-plugin-2-9-9-5-2-broken-access-control-vulnerability?_s_id=cve"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-75FC-FV3P-XH82
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-07-28 00:00 – Updated: 2022-12-12 22:50BMC Compuware Source Code Download for Endevor, PDS, and ISPW Plugin 2.0.12 and earlier does not perform permission checks in several HTTP endpoints.
This allows attackers with Overall/Read permission to enumerate hosts and ports of Compuware configurations and credentials IDs of credentials stored in Jenkins. Those credentials IDs can be used as part of an attack to capture the credentials using another vulnerability.
BMC Compuware Source Code Download for Endevor, PDS, and ISPW Plugin 2.0.13 requires the appropriate permissions to enumerate hosts and ports of Compuware configurations and credentials IDs.
{
"affected": [
{
"database_specific": {
"last_known_affected_version_range": "\u003c= 2.0.12"
},
"package": {
"ecosystem": "Maven",
"name": "com.compuware.jenkins:compuware-scm-downloader"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "2.0.13"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-36896"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-862"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2022-08-10T21:13:10Z",
"nvd_published_at": "2022-07-27T15:15:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "BMC Compuware Source Code Download for Endevor, PDS, and ISPW Plugin 2.0.12 and earlier does not perform permission checks in several HTTP endpoints.\n\nThis allows attackers with Overall/Read permission to enumerate hosts and ports of Compuware configurations and credentials IDs of credentials stored in Jenkins. Those credentials IDs can be used as part of an attack to capture the credentials using another vulnerability.\n\nBMC Compuware Source Code Download for Endevor, PDS, and ISPW Plugin 2.0.13 requires the appropriate permissions to enumerate hosts and ports of Compuware configurations and credentials IDs.",
"id": "GHSA-75fc-fv3p-xh82",
"modified": "2022-12-12T22:50:03Z",
"published": "2022-07-28T00:00:42Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-36896"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/jenkinsci/compuware-scm-downloader-plugin/commit/bf00665b13641351a9f67027bbe34609cc4f65e2"
},
{
"type": "PACKAGE",
"url": "https://github.com/jenkinsci/compuware-scm-downloader-plugin"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.jenkins.io/security/advisory/2022-07-27/#SECURITY-2621"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2022/07/27/1"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
],
"summary": "Jenkins Compuware Source Code Download is missing authorization"
}
GHSA-75H4-F9WM-HQPR
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 19:02 – Updated: 2022-05-24 19:02An issue was discovered in Prosody before 0.11.9. The proxy65 component allows open access by default, even if neither of the users has an XMPP account on the local server, allowing unrestricted use of the server's bandwidth.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-32917"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-862"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2021-05-13T16:15:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "An issue was discovered in Prosody before 0.11.9. The proxy65 component allows open access by default, even if neither of the users has an XMPP account on the local server, allowing unrestricted use of the server\u0027s bandwidth.",
"id": "GHSA-75h4-f9wm-hqpr",
"modified": "2022-05-24T19:02:20Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T19:02:20Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-32917"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://blog.prosody.im/prosody-0.11.9-released"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/06/msg00016.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/6MFFBZWXKPZEVZNQSVJNCUE7WRF3T7DG"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/GUN63AHEWB2WRROJHU3BVJRWLONCT2B7"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/LWJ2DG2DFJOEFEWOUN26IMYYWGSA2ZEE"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202105-15"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.debian.org/security/2021/dsa-4916"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/05/13/1"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/05/14/2"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-75HG-8V8M-22XG
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-12-09 15:31 – Updated: 2026-04-28 21:35Missing Authorization vulnerability in YummyWP Smart WooCommerce Search allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels.This issue affects Smart WooCommerce Search: from n/a through 2.5.0.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-30783"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-862"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-12-09T13:15:28Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Missing Authorization vulnerability in YummyWP Smart WooCommerce Search allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels.This issue affects Smart WooCommerce Search: from n/a through 2.5.0.",
"id": "GHSA-75hg-8v8m-22xg",
"modified": "2026-04-28T21:35:18Z",
"published": "2024-12-09T15:31:34Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-30783"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://patchstack.com/database/wordpress/plugin/smart-woocommerce-search/vulnerability/wordpress-smart-woocommerce-search-plugin-2-5-0-broken-access-control?_s_id=cve"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
Mitigation
- Divide the product into anonymous, normal, privileged, and administrative areas. Reduce the attack surface by carefully mapping roles with data and functionality. Use role-based access control (RBAC) [REF-229] to enforce the roles at the appropriate boundaries.
- Note that this approach may not protect against horizontal authorization, i.e., it will not protect a user from attacking others with the same role.
Mitigation
Ensure that access control checks are performed related to the business logic. These checks may be different than the access control checks that are applied to more generic resources such as files, connections, processes, memory, and database records. For example, a database may restrict access for medical records to a specific database user, but each record might only be intended to be accessible to the patient and the patient's doctor [REF-7].
Mitigation MIT-4.4
Strategy: Libraries or Frameworks
- Use a vetted library or framework that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid.
- For example, consider using authorization frameworks such as the JAAS Authorization Framework [REF-233] and the OWASP ESAPI Access Control feature [REF-45].
Mitigation
- For web applications, make sure that the access control mechanism is enforced correctly at the server side on every page. Users should not be able to access any unauthorized functionality or information by simply requesting direct access to that page.
- One way to do this is to ensure that all pages containing sensitive information are not cached, and that all such pages restrict access to requests that are accompanied by an active and authenticated session token associated with a user who has the required permissions to access that page.
Mitigation
Use the access control capabilities of your operating system and server environment and define your access control lists accordingly. Use a "default deny" policy when defining these ACLs.
CAPEC-665: Exploitation of Thunderbolt Protection Flaws
An adversary leverages a firmware weakness within the Thunderbolt protocol, on a computing device to manipulate Thunderbolt controller firmware in order to exploit vulnerabilities in the implementation of authorization and verification schemes within Thunderbolt protection mechanisms. Upon gaining physical access to a target device, the adversary conducts high-level firmware manipulation of the victim Thunderbolt controller SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) flash, through the use of a SPI Programing device and an external Thunderbolt device, typically as the target device is booting up. If successful, this allows the adversary to modify memory, subvert authentication mechanisms, spoof identities and content, and extract data and memory from the target device. Currently 7 major vulnerabilities exist within Thunderbolt protocol with 9 attack vectors as noted in the Execution Flow.