CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) is a standardized list of common software weaknesses and design flaws. Unlike CVE, which catalogs individual vulnerabilities, CWE focuses on the root causes — the coding or architectural mistakes that lead to security issues. It enables developers, security teams, and organizations to build more secure software by addressing vulnerabilities at their source.
How does CWE work?
CWE is maintained by MITRE and contains hundreds of software weakness entries. Each CWE entry includes:
- A description of the weakness (e.g., buffer overflows, hardcoded credentials, improper input validation);
- Potential impact;
- Real-world examples;
- Prevention strategies and secure coding tips.
CWE is not a list of incidents, but of patterns. It supports proactive security by making the software development process more robust.
A well-known example is CWE-79: Cross-site Scripting (XSS) — where user input is not properly sanitized, allowing malicious scripts to run in a browser.
Why is CWE important?
CWE helps organizations:
- Code securely based on known error patterns;
- Conduct structured code reviews and risk assessments;
- Leverage SAST tools more effectively;
- Implement secure development lifecycles.
In supply chains, where external software is widely used, understanding CWE helps assess vendors’ coding practices and software quality.
CWE and RiskStudio
RiskStudio connects CVE data with underlying CWE patterns. When a vulnerability is found in a supplier’s system, RiskStudio provides context on the root weakness — such as an insecure file upload (CWE-434) or cross-site request forgery (CWE-352). This allows organizations to not only react to risks but also spot recurring security flaws across their digital supply chain. With this insight, you can prioritize actions, improve vendor conversations, and build longer-term resilience.
