Spyware
Weakness ID: 512 (Weakness Base)Status: Incomplete
+ Description

Description Summary

The software collects personally identifiable information about a human user or the user's activities, but the software accesses this information using other resources besides itself, and it does not require that user's explicit approval or direct input into the software.

Extended Description

"Spyware" is a commonly used term with many definitions and interpretations. In general, it is meant to software that collects information or installs functionality that human users might not allow if they were fully aware of the actions being taken by the software. For example, a user might expect that tax software would collect a social security number and include it when filing a tax return, but that same user would not expect gaming software to obtain the social security number from that tax software's data.

+ Time of Introduction
  • Architecture and Design
  • Implementation
  • Operation
+ Potential Mitigations

Use spyware detection and removal software.

Always verify the integrity of the software that is being installed.

+ Relationships
NatureTypeIDNameView(s) this relationship pertains toView(s)
ChildOfWeakness ClassWeakness Class506Embedded Malicious Code
Development Concepts (primary)699
Research Concepts (primary)1000
+ Content History
Modifications
Modification DateModifierOrganizationSource
2008-07-01Eric DalciCigitalExternal
updated Potential Mitigations, Time of Introduction
2008-09-08CWE Content TeamMITREInternal
updated Relationships
2008-10-14CWE Content TeamMITREInternal
updated Description, Potential Mitigations