CWE-785
Weakness AllowedUse of Path Manipulation Function without Maximum-sized Buffer
Abstraction: Variant · Status: Incomplete
The product invokes a function for normalizing paths or file names, but it provides an output buffer that is smaller than the maximum possible size, such as PATH_MAX.
Path manipulation functions include realpath(), readlink(), PathAppend(), and others.
Mapping guidance
This CWE entry is at the Variant level of abstraction, which is a preferred level of abstraction for mapping to the root causes of vulnerabilities.
Carefully read both the name and description to ensure that this mapping is an appropriate fit. Do not try to 'force' a mapping to a lower-level Base/Variant simply to comply with this preferred level of abstraction.
Relationships and members
Modes of introduction
Detection methods
Automated Static Analysis
Automated static analysis, commonly referred to as Static Application Security Testing (SAST), can find some instances of this weakness by analyzing source code (or binary/compiled code) without having to execute it. Typically, this is done by building a model of data flow and control flow, then searching for potentially-vulnerable patterns that connect "sources" (origins of input) with "sinks" (destinations where the data interacts with external components, a lower layer such as the OS, etc.)
Notes
Maintenance
This entry is at a much lower level of abstraction than most entries because it is function-specific. It also has significant overlap with other entries that can vary depending on the perspective. For example, incorrect usage could trigger either a stack-based overflow (CWE-121) or a heap-based overflow (CWE-122). The CWE team has not decided how to handle such entries.
Content history
Note: this date reflects when the entry was first published. Draft versions of this entry were provided to members of the CWE community and modified before initial publication.
updated Time_of_Introduction
added/updated white box definitions
updated Applicable_Platforms, Relationships, Other_Notes, Taxonomy_Mappings
updated Demonstrative_Examples
Improved the White_Box_Definition
updated Common_Consequences
updated Relationships
updated Relationships, Taxonomy_Mappings
updated Affected_Resources, Demonstrative_Examples, Relationships, White_Box_Definitions
updated References, Relationships
updated Maintenance_Notes
updated Description
updated Relationships
updated Mapping_Notes
updated Detection_Factors, Weakness_Ordinalities
updated Common_Consequences, Description, References, Relationships
0 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
No vulnerabilities reference this CWE.
Mitigation
Always specify output buffers large enough to handle the maximum-size possible result from path manipulation functions.
No CAPEC attack patterns related to this CWE.