Function Call With Incorrect Number of Arguments
Draft Variant
Structure: Simple
Description
The product calls a function, procedure, or routine, but the caller specifies too many arguments, or too few arguments, which may lead to undefined behavior and resultant weaknesses.
Common Consequences 1
Scope: Other
Impact: Quality Degradation
Detection Methods 1
Other
While this weakness might be caught by the compiler in some languages, it can occur more frequently in cases in which the called function accepts variable numbers of arguments, such as format strings in C. It also can occur in languages or environments that do not require that functions always be called with the correct number of arguments, such as Perl.Potential Mitigations 1
Phase: Testing
Because this function call often produces incorrect behavior it will usually be detected during testing or normal operation of the product. During testing exercise all possible control paths will typically expose this weakness except in rare cases when the incorrect function call accidentally produces the correct results or if the provided argument type is very similar to the expected argument type.
Applicable Platforms
Languages:
C : UndeterminedPerl : Undetermined
Modes of Introduction
Implementation
Related Weaknesses
Taxonomy Mapping
- Software Fault Patterns
- CERT C Secure Coding
- CERT C Secure Coding