According to SOAR [REF-1479], the following detection techniques may be useful: ``` Highly cost effective: ``` Bytecode Weakness Analysis - including disassembler + source code weakness analysis Binary Weakness Analysis - including disassembler + source code weakness analysis ``` Cost effective for partial coverage: ``` Binary / Bytecode Quality Analysis Binary / Bytecode simple extractor - strings, ELF readers, etc.
CWE-676 Base Brouillon
Use of Potentially Dangerous Function
This vulnerability occurs when code calls a function that can be dangerous if misused, but can also be used safely with proper precautions. The risk lies not in the function itself, but in how it's…
Définition
What is CWE-676?
This vulnerability occurs when code calls a function that can be dangerous if misused, but can also be used safely with proper precautions. The risk lies not in the function itself, but in how it's implemented.
Many programming languages and libraries include powerful, low-level functions that offer performance benefits or direct system access. Functions like `strcpy()`, `eval()`, or `system()` are common examples. While they are legitimate tools, they become security risks when developers use them without validating input, managing memory, or understanding their side effects. The core issue is assuming these functions are safe by default, rather than treating them as operations that require explicit safeguards.
To mitigate this, developers should first seek safer, modern alternatives provided by the language or framework, such as bounded string copy functions or secure APIs. When a dangerous function must be used, it is critical to implement strict input validation, output encoding, and context-aware sanitization around it. Security is maintained by wrapping these functions with robust checks and limits, never trusting uncontrolled data, and conducting regular code reviews focused on these specific high-risk calls.
Impact réel
Real-world CVEs caused by CWE-676
-
Library has multiple buffer overflows using sprintf() and strcpy()
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Buffer overflow using strcat()
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Buffer overflow using strcpy()
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Buffer overflow using strcpy()
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Vulnerable use of strcpy() changed to use safer strlcpy()
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Buffer overflow using strcpy()
Comment les attaquants l'exploitent
Parcours de l'attaquant étape par étape
- 1
Identifier un chemin de code qui traite des entrées non fiables sans validation.
- 2
Élaborer une charge utile qui exploite le comportement non sécurisé — injection, traversal, débordement ou abus de logique.
- 3
Délivrer la charge utile via une requête normale et observer la réaction de l'application.
- 4
Itérer jusqu'à ce que la réponse divulgue des données, exécute le code de l'attaquant ou élève les privilèges.
Exemple de code vulnérable
Vulnerable C
The following code attempts to create a local copy of a buffer to perform some manipulations to the data.
void manipulate_string(char * string){
char buf[24];
strcpy(buf, string);
...
} Exemple de code sécurisé
Secure pseudo
// Validate, sanitize, or use a safe API before reaching the sink.
function handleRequest(input) {
const safe = validateAndEscape(input);
return executeWithGuards(safe);
} What changed: the unsafe sink is replaced (or the input is validated/escaped) so the same payload no longer triggers the weakness.
Liste de contrôle de prévention
How to prevent CWE-676
- Build and Compilation / Implementation 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]
Signaux de détection
How to detect CWE-676
According to SOAR [REF-1479], the following detection techniques may be useful: ``` Cost effective for partial coverage: ``` Binary / Bytecode disassembler - then use manual analysis for vulnerabilities & anomalies
According to SOAR [REF-1479], the following detection techniques may be useful: ``` Highly cost effective: ``` Debugger ``` Cost effective for partial coverage: ``` Monitored Virtual Environment - run potentially malicious code in sandbox / wrapper / virtual machine, see if it does anything suspicious
According to SOAR [REF-1479], the following detection techniques may be useful: ``` Highly cost effective: ``` Manual Source Code Review (not inspections) ``` Cost effective for partial coverage: ``` Focused Manual Spotcheck - Focused manual analysis of source
According to SOAR [REF-1479], the following detection techniques may be useful: ``` Highly cost effective: ``` Source code Weakness Analyzer Context-configured Source Code Weakness Analyzer ``` Cost effective for partial coverage: ``` Warning Flags Source Code Quality Analyzer
According to SOAR [REF-1479], the following detection techniques may be useful: ``` Cost effective for partial coverage: ``` Origin Analysis
CWE-676
Don't catalog this weakness. Prove it's reachable.
Plexicus turns CWE catalogs into evidence: every CWE-pattern is matched against your real code graph, reach is proven on a sandbox clone, and verified findings ship as reviewed PRs.
Questions fréquentes Qu'est-ce que CWE-676 ?
Quelle est la gravité de CWE-676 ?
Quels langages ou plateformes sont affectés par CWE-676 ?
Comment puis-je prévenir CWE-676 ?
Comment Plexicus détecte et corrige CWE-676 ?
Où puis-je en savoir plus sur CWE-676 ?
Frequently asked questions
Qu'est-ce que CWE-676 ?
This vulnerability occurs when code calls a function that can be dangerous if misused, but can also be used safely with proper precautions. The risk lies not in the function itself, but in how it's implemented.
Quelle est la gravité de CWE-676 ?
MITRE évalue la probabilité d'exploitation comme Élevée — cette faiblesse est activement exploitée et doit être priorisée pour la remédiation.
Quels langages ou plateformes sont affectés par CWE-676 ?
MITRE lists the following affected platforms: C, C++.
Comment puis-je prévenir CWE-676 ?
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]
Comment Plexicus détecte et corrige CWE-676 ?
Le moteur SAST de Plexicus reconnaît la signature de flux de données de CWE-676 à chaque commit. Lorsqu'une correspondance est trouvée, notre agent Codex Remedium ouvre une PR de correction avec le code corrigé, les tests et un résumé d'une ligne pour le relecteur.
Où puis-je en savoir plus sur CWE-676 ?
MITRE publie la définition canonique à https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/676.html. Vous pouvez également consulter la documentation OWASP et NIST pour des conseils adjacents.
Faiblesses associées
Weaknesses related to CWE-676
CWE-1177 Parent
Use of Prohibited Code
This vulnerability occurs when software incorporates a function, library, or third-party component that has been explicitly banned by the…
CWE-242 Frère
Use of Inherently Dangerous Function
This vulnerability occurs when code uses functions that are inherently unsafe and cannot be reliably secured, posing a direct risk to…
CWE-785 Enfant
Use of Path Manipulation Function without Maximum-sized Buffer
This vulnerability occurs when a program uses a path manipulation function but supplies an output buffer that is too small to hold the…
Ressources
Further reading
- MITRE — CWE-676 officiel https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/676.html
- Seven Pernicious Kingdoms: A Taxonomy of Software Security Errors https://samate.nist.gov/SSATTM_Content/papers/Seven%20Pernicious%20Kingdoms%20-%20Taxonomy%20of%20Sw%20Security%20Errors%20-%20Tsipenyuk%20-%20Chess%20-%20McGraw.pdf
- Security Development Lifecycle (SDL) Banned Function Calls https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/bb288454(v=msdn.10)?redirectedfrom=MSDN
- Writing Secure Code https://www.microsoftpressstore.com/store/writing-secure-code-9780735617223
- State-of-the-Art Resources (SOAR) for Software Vulnerability Detection, Test, and Evaluation https://www.ida.org/-/media/feature/publications/s/st/stateoftheart-resources-soar-for-software-vulnerability-detection-test-and-evaluation/p-5061.ashx
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