An interaction error occurs when two entities have correct behavior when running independently of each other, but when they are integrated as components in a larger system or process, they introduce incorrect behaviors that may cause resultant weaknesses.

When a system or process combines multiple independent components, this often produces new, emergent behaviors at the system level. However, if the interactions between these components are not fully accounted for, some of the emergent behaviors can be incorrect or even insecure.

Modes Of Introduction

Architecture and Design
Implementation
Operation

Applicable Platforms

Language

Class: Not Language-Specific (Undetermined)

Technologies

Class: Not Technology-Specific (Undetermined)

Common Consequences

Observed Examples

Vulnerability Mapping Notes

Rationale : This CWE entry is extremely high-level, a Pillar. However, sometimes this weakness is forced to be used due to the lack of in-depth weakness research. See Research Gaps.
Comments : Where feasible, consider children or descendants of this entry instead.

Notes

Weaknesses related to this Pillar appear to be under-studied, especially with respect to classification schemes. Input from academic and other communities could help identify and resolve gaps or organizational difficulties within CWE.

The "Interaction Error" term, in CWE and elsewhere, is only intended to describe products that behave according to specification. When one or more of the products do not comply with specifications, then it is more likely to be API Abuse (CWE-227) or an interpretation conflict (CWE-436). This distinction can be blurred in real world scenarios, especially when "de facto" standards do not comply with specifications, or when there are no standards but there is widespread adoption. As a result, it can be difficult to distinguish these weaknesses during mapping and classification.

References

REF-428

Insertion, Evasion, and Denial of Service: Eluding Network Intrusion Detection
Thomas H. Ptacek, Timothy N. Newsham.
https://insecure.org/stf/secnet_ids/secnet_ids.pdf

REF-568

Use of A Taxonomy of Security Faults
Taimur Aslam, Ivan Krsul, Eugene H. Spafford.
https://csrc.nist.gov/csrc/media/publications/conference-paper/1996/10/22/proceedings-of-the-19th-nissc-1996/documents/paper057/paper.pdf

Submission

Modifications