Description
The program invokes a potentially dangerous function that could introduce a vulnerability if it is used incorrectly, but the function can also be used safely.
Modes of Introduction:
– Architecture and Design
Likelihood of Exploit: High
Related Weaknesses
CWE-1177
Consequences
Other: Varies by Context, Quality Degradation, Unexpected State
If the function is used incorrectly, then it could result in security problems.
Potential Mitigations
Phase: Build and Compilation, Implementation
Description:
Identify a list of prohibited API functions and prohibit developers from using these functions, providing safer alternatives. In some cases, automatic code analysis tools or the compiler can be instructed to spot use of prohibited functions, such as the “banned.h” include file from Microsoft’s SDL. [REF-554] [REF-7]
CVE References
- CVE-2007-1470
- Library has multiple buffer overflows using sprintf() and strcpy()
- CVE-2011-0712
- Vulnerable use of strcpy() changed to use safer strlcpy()
