Common Weakness Enumeration

CWE-787

Weakness Allowed-with-Review

Out-of-bounds Write

Abstraction: Base · Status: Draft

The product writes data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer.

Dimensions

  • Behavior-Type: Write
  • Resource-Type: Memory Buffer
  • Resource-Property: Out-of-bounds
Mapping guidance

This CWE entry is at the Base level of abstraction, which is a preferred level of abstraction for mapping to the root causes of vulnerabilities. However, closer examination is required.

While this CWE is allowed for mapping, it has more specific children that might be a better fit. Carefully read both the name and description to ensure that this mapping is appropriate. Consider the root cause errors that have led to the out-of-bounds write by examining "CanFollow" relationships for this entry.

Relationships and members
ChildOf: CWE-119 · View CWE-1000
ChildOf: CWE-119 · View CWE-1003
ChildOf: CWE-119 · View CWE-1305
ChildOf: CWE-119 · View CWE-1340
Modes of introduction
Implementation
Detection methods

Automated Static Analysis

This weakness can often be detected using automated static analysis tools. Many modern tools use data flow analysis or constraint-based techniques to minimize the number of false positives.

Automated static analysis generally does not account for environmental considerations when reporting out-of-bounds memory operations. This can make it difficult for users to determine which warnings should be investigated first. For example, an analysis tool might report buffer overflows that originate from command line arguments in a program that is not expected to run with setuid or other special privileges.

Effectiveness: High

Detection techniques for buffer-related errors are more mature than for most other weakness types.

Automated Dynamic Analysis

This weakness can be detected using dynamic tools and techniques that interact with the software using large test suites with many diverse inputs, such as fuzz testing (fuzzing), robustness testing, and fault injection. The software's operation may slow down, but it should not become unstable, crash, or generate incorrect results.

Automated Dynamic Analysis

Use tools that are integrated during compilation to insert runtime error-checking mechanisms related to memory safety errors, such as AddressSanitizer (ASan) for C/C++ [REF-1518].

Effectiveness: Moderate

Crafted inputs are necessary to reach the code containing the error, such as generated by fuzzers. Also, these tools may reduce performance, and they only report the error condition - not the original mistake that led to the error.

Content history
Submission: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2009-10-21 · CWE 1.6
Contribution: "Mapping CWE to 62443" Sub-Working Group · CWE-CAPEC ICS/OT SIG · 2023-04-25 · CWE 4.11

Suggested mappings to ISA/IEC 62443.

Contribution: Abhi Balakrishnan · 2024-02-29 · CWE 4.15

Provided diagram to improve CWE usability

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2010-02-16 · CWE 1.8

updated Demonstrative_Examples

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2010-09-27 · CWE 1.10

updated Relationships

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2011-06-01 · CWE 1.13

updated Common_Consequences

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2014-06-23 · CWE 2.7

updated Demonstrative_Examples

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2015-12-07 · CWE 2.9

updated Relationships

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2018-03-27 · CWE 3.1

updated Description

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2019-09-19 · CWE 3.4

updated Applicable_Platforms, Demonstrative_Examples, Detection_Factors, Likelihood_of_Exploit, Observed_Examples, Potential_Mitigations, References, Relationships, Time_of_Introduction

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2020-02-24 · CWE 4.0

updated Observed_Examples, Relationships

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2020-06-25 · CWE 4.1

updated Observed_Examples

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2020-08-20 · CWE 4.2

updated Alternate_Terms, Demonstrative_Examples, Observed_Examples, Relationships

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2020-12-10 · CWE 4.3

updated Relationships

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2021-03-15 · CWE 4.4

updated Demonstrative_Examples

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2021-07-20 · CWE 4.5

updated Demonstrative_Examples, Potential_Mitigations, Relationships

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2022-06-28 · CWE 4.8

updated Observed_Examples, Relationships

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2022-10-13 · CWE 4.9

updated Applicable_Platforms

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2023-01-31 · CWE 4.10

updated Alternate_Terms, Demonstrative_Examples, Description

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2023-04-27 · CWE 4.11

updated Potential_Mitigations, References, Relationships, Taxonomy_Mappings

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2023-06-29 · CWE 4.12

updated Mapping_Notes, Relationships, Taxonomy_Mappings

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2024-02-29 · CWE 4.14

updated Demonstrative_Examples

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2024-07-16 · CWE 4.15

updated Alternate_Terms, Common_Consequences, Description, Diagram, Weakness_Ordinalities

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2024-11-19 · CWE 4.16

updated Observed_Examples, Relationships

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2025-04-03 · CWE 4.17

updated Observed_Examples, Relationships

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2025-09-09 · CWE 4.18

updated Affected_Resources, Functional_Areas, References

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2025-12-11 · CWE 4.19

updated Applicable_Platforms, Detection_Factors, References, Relationships

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2026-04-30 · CWE 4.20

updated Mapping_Notes

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2026-10-28 · CWE 5.0

updated Dimensions, Observed_Examples, References, Relationships, Taxonomy_Mappings

16908 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.

GHSA-MX6C-7CHC-9H4J

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-02-02 09:30 – Updated: 2026-02-02 15:30
VLAI
Details

In imgsys, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to local escalation of privilege if a malicious actor has already obtained the System privilege. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Patch ID: ALPS10362552; Issue ID: MSV-5760.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2026-20410"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-787"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2026-02-02T09:15:55Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "In imgsys, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to local escalation of privilege if a malicious actor has already obtained the System privilege. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Patch ID: ALPS10362552; Issue ID: MSV-5760.",
  "id": "GHSA-mx6c-7chc-9h4j",
  "modified": "2026-02-02T15:30:33Z",
  "published": "2026-02-02T09:30:31Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-20410"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://corp.mediatek.com/product-security-bulletin/February-2026"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-MX6V-GG5X-68CF

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:36 – Updated: 2022-05-24 17:36
VLAI
Details

An arbitrary memory write vulnerability in Asylo versions up to 0.6.0 allows an untrusted attacker to make a call to ecall_restore using the attribute output which fails to check the range of a pointer. An attacker can use this pointer to write to arbitrary memory addresses including those within the secure enclave We recommend upgrading past commit 382da2b8b09cbf928668a2445efb778f76bd9c8a

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2020-8944"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-787"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2020-12-15T15:15:00Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "An arbitrary memory write vulnerability in Asylo versions up to 0.6.0 allows an untrusted attacker to make a call to ecall_restore using the attribute output which fails to check the range of a pointer. An attacker can use this pointer to write to arbitrary memory addresses including those within the secure enclave We recommend upgrading past commit 382da2b8b09cbf928668a2445efb778f76bd9c8a",
  "id": "GHSA-mx6v-gg5x-68cf",
  "modified": "2022-05-24T17:36:37Z",
  "published": "2022-05-24T17:36:37Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-8944"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/google/asylo/commit/382da2b8b09cbf928668a2445efb778f76bd9c8a"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": []
}

GHSA-MX74-C2VM-7FGR

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-06-13 18:31 – Updated: 2024-06-13 18:31
VLAI
Details

An issue was discovered in Samsung Mobile Processor and Wearable Processor Exynos 850, Exynos 1080, Exynos 2100, Exynos 1280, Exynos 1380, Exynos 1330, Exynos W920, Exynos W930. The mobile processor lacks proper length checking, which can result in an OOB (Out-of-Bounds) Write vulnerability.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2024-32504"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-787"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2024-06-13T17:15:50Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "An issue was discovered in Samsung Mobile Processor and Wearable Processor Exynos 850, Exynos 1080, Exynos 2100, Exynos 1280, Exynos 1380, Exynos 1330, Exynos W920, Exynos W930. The mobile processor lacks proper length checking, which can result in an OOB (Out-of-Bounds) Write vulnerability.",
  "id": "GHSA-mx74-c2vm-7fgr",
  "modified": "2024-06-13T18:31:58Z",
  "published": "2024-06-13T18:31:58Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-32504"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://semiconductor.samsung.com/support/quality-support/product-security-updates"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-MX7Q-PQ59-WV2W

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-07-19 00:00 – Updated: 2022-07-26 00:01
VLAI
Details

A potential memory corruption issue was found in Capsule Workspace Android app (running on GrapheneOS). This could result in application crashing but could not be used to gather any sensitive information.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2022-23745"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-787"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2022-07-18T17:15:00Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "A potential memory corruption issue was found in Capsule Workspace Android app (running on GrapheneOS). This could result in application crashing but could not be used to gather any sensitive information.",
  "id": "GHSA-mx7q-pq59-wv2w",
  "modified": "2022-07-26T00:01:04Z",
  "published": "2022-07-19T00:00:25Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-23745"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://supportcenter.us.checkpoint.com/supportcenter/portal?eventSubmit_doGoviewsolutiondetails=\u0026solutionid=sk179646"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-MX83-4QPC-6M5H

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-02-22 03:30 – Updated: 2025-04-11 18:30
VLAI
Details

A maliciously crafted CATPART file when parsed CC5Dll.dll through Autodesk AutoCAD can be used to cause a Stack-based Overflow. A malicious actor can leverage this vulnerability to cause a crash, read sensitive data, or execute arbitrary code in the context of the current process.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2024-23126"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-121",
      "CWE-787"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2024-02-22T03:15:08Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "A maliciously crafted CATPART file when parsed CC5Dll.dll through Autodesk AutoCAD can be used to cause a Stack-based Overflow. A malicious actor can leverage this vulnerability to cause a crash, read sensitive data, or execute arbitrary code in the context of the current process.",
  "id": "GHSA-mx83-4qpc-6m5h",
  "modified": "2025-04-11T18:30:27Z",
  "published": "2024-02-22T03:30:35Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-23126"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.autodesk.com/trust/security-advisories/adsk-sa-2024-0002"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.autodesk.com/trust/security-advisories/adsk-sa-2024-0004"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-MX8V-JV43-26H4

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 16:53 – Updated: 2023-02-01 00:30
VLAI
Details

A heap buffer overflow in the start_decoder function in stb_vorbis through 2019-03-04 allows an attacker to cause a denial of service or execute arbitrary code by opening a crafted Ogg Vorbis file.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2019-13217"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-119",
      "CWE-787"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2019-08-15T17:15:00Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "A heap buffer overflow in the start_decoder function in stb_vorbis through 2019-03-04 allows an attacker to cause a denial of service or execute arbitrary code by opening a crafted Ogg Vorbis file.",
  "id": "GHSA-mx8v-jv43-26h4",
  "modified": "2023-02-01T00:30:29Z",
  "published": "2022-05-24T16:53:41Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-13217"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/nothings/stb/commit/98fdfc6df88b1e34a736d5e126e6c8139c8de1a6"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/nothings/stb/commits/master/stb_vorbis.c"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/01/msg00045.html"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://nothings.org/stb_vorbis"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-MX9J-5CM7-GV82

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 00:01 – Updated: 2022-05-31 00:00
VLAI
Details

A heap buffer overflow was discovered in copy_bytes in decode_r2007.c in dwgread before 0.12.4 via a crafted dwg file.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2021-42586"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-787"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2022-05-23T11:16:00Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "A heap buffer overflow was discovered in copy_bytes in decode_r2007.c in dwgread before 0.12.4 via a crafted dwg file.",
  "id": "GHSA-mx9j-5cm7-gv82",
  "modified": "2022-05-31T00:00:33Z",
  "published": "2022-05-24T00:01:47Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-42586"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/LibreDWG/libredwg/issues/350"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-MXFJ-3796-W53X

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:48 – Updated: 2022-09-08 00:00
VLAI
Details

IBM Spectrum Protect Client 8.1.0.0-8 through 1.11.0 is vulnerable to a stack-based buffer overflow, caused by improper bounds checking when processing the current locale settings. A local attacker could overflow a buffer and execute arbitrary code on the system with elevated privileges or cause the application to crash. IBM X-Force ID: 199479

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2021-29672"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-787"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2021-04-26T17:15:00Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "IBM Spectrum Protect Client 8.1.0.0-8 through 1.11.0 is vulnerable to a stack-based buffer overflow, caused by improper bounds checking when processing the current locale settings. A local attacker could overflow a buffer and execute arbitrary code on the system with elevated privileges or cause the application to crash. IBM X-Force ID: 199479",
  "id": "GHSA-mxfj-3796-w53x",
  "modified": "2022-09-08T00:00:38Z",
  "published": "2022-05-24T17:48:50Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-29672"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/199479"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202209-02"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/6445497"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-MXG2-JJ7M-Q6V8

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:34 – Updated: 2022-05-24 17:34
VLAI
Details

499ES EtherNet/IP (ENIP) Adaptor Source Code is vulnerable to a stack-based buffer overflow, which may allow an attacker to send a specially crafted packet that may result in a denial-of-service condition or code execution.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2020-25159"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-787"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2020-11-24T20:15:00Z",
    "severity": "CRITICAL"
  },
  "details": "499ES EtherNet/IP (ENIP) Adaptor Source Code is vulnerable to a stack-based buffer overflow, which may allow an attacker to send a specially crafted packet that may result in a denial-of-service condition or code execution.",
  "id": "GHSA-mxg2-jj7m-q6v8",
  "modified": "2022-05-24T17:34:52Z",
  "published": "2022-05-24T17:34:52Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-25159"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ics/advisories/icsa-20-324-03"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": []
}

GHSA-MXH7-F8R4-92G8

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2021-12-24 00:00 – Updated: 2022-08-16 00:00
VLAI
Details

Heap buffer overflow in ANGLE in Google Chrome prior to 96.0.4664.93 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2021-4058"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-787"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2021-12-23T01:15:00Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "Heap buffer overflow in ANGLE in Google Chrome prior to 96.0.4664.93 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page.",
  "id": "GHSA-mxh7-f8r4-92g8",
  "modified": "2022-08-16T00:00:40Z",
  "published": "2021-12-24T00:00:50Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-4058"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2021/12/stable-channel-update-for-desktop.html"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://crbug.com/1267496"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/3W46HRT2UVHWSLZB6JZHQF6JNQWKV744"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202208-25"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.debian.org/security/2022/dsa-5046"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

Mitigation MIT-3
Requirements

Strategy: Language Selection

  • Use a language that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid.
  • For example, many languages that perform their own memory management, such as Java and Perl, are not subject to buffer overflows. Other languages, such as Ada and C#, typically provide overflow protection, but the protection can be disabled by the programmer.
  • Be wary that a language's interface to native code may still be subject to overflows, even if the language itself is theoretically safe.
Mitigation MIT-4.1
Architecture and Design

Strategy: Libraries or Frameworks

  • Use a vetted library or framework that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid.
  • Examples include the Safe C String Library (SafeStr) by Messier and Viega [REF-57], and the Strsafe.h library from Microsoft [REF-56]. These libraries provide safer versions of overflow-prone string-handling functions.
Mitigation MIT-10
Operation Build and Compilation

Strategy: Environment Hardening

  • Use automatic buffer overflow detection mechanisms that are offered by certain compilers or compiler extensions. Examples include: the Microsoft Visual Studio /GS flag, Fedora/Red Hat FORTIFY_SOURCE GCC flag, StackGuard, and ProPolice, which provide various mechanisms including canary-based detection and range/index checking.
  • D3-SFCV (Stack Frame Canary Validation) from D3FEND [REF-1334] discusses canary-based detection in detail.
Mitigation MIT-9
Implementation
  • Consider adhering to the following rules when allocating and managing an application's memory:
  • Double check that the buffer is as large as specified.
  • When using functions that accept a number of bytes to copy, such as strncpy(), be aware that if the destination buffer size is equal to the source buffer size, it may not NULL-terminate the string.
  • Check buffer boundaries if accessing the buffer in a loop and make sure there is no danger of writing past the allocated space.
  • If necessary, truncate all input strings to a reasonable length before passing them to the copy and concatenation functions.
Mitigation MIT-11
Operation Build and Compilation

Strategy: Environment Hardening

  • Run or compile the software using features or extensions that randomly arrange the positions of a program's executable and libraries in memory. Because this makes the addresses unpredictable, it can prevent an attacker from reliably jumping to exploitable code.
  • Examples include Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) [REF-58] [REF-60] and Position-Independent Executables (PIE) [REF-64]. Imported modules may be similarly realigned if their default memory addresses conflict with other modules, in a process known as "rebasing" (for Windows) and "prelinking" (for Linux) [REF-1332] using randomly generated addresses. ASLR for libraries cannot be used in conjunction with prelink since it would require relocating the libraries at run-time, defeating the whole purpose of prelinking.
  • For more information on these techniques see D3-SAOR (Segment Address Offset Randomization) from D3FEND [REF-1335].
Mitigation MIT-12
Operation

Strategy: Environment Hardening

  • Use a CPU and operating system that offers Data Execution Protection (using hardware NX or XD bits) or the equivalent techniques that simulate this feature in software, such as PaX [REF-60] [REF-61]. These techniques ensure that any instruction executed is exclusively at a memory address that is part of the code segment.
  • For more information on these techniques see D3-PSEP (Process Segment Execution Prevention) from D3FEND [REF-1336].
Mitigation MIT-13
Implementation

Replace unbounded copy functions with analogous functions that support length arguments, such as strcpy with strncpy. Create these if they are not available.

No CAPEC attack patterns related to this CWE.