CWE-787
Weakness Allowed-with-ReviewOut-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
Modes of introduction
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
Suggested mappings to ISA/IEC 62443.
Provided diagram to improve CWE usability
updated Demonstrative_Examples
updated Relationships
updated Common_Consequences
updated Demonstrative_Examples
updated Relationships
updated Description
updated Applicable_Platforms, Demonstrative_Examples, Detection_Factors, Likelihood_of_Exploit, Observed_Examples, Potential_Mitigations, References, Relationships, Time_of_Introduction
updated Observed_Examples, Relationships
updated Observed_Examples
updated Alternate_Terms, Demonstrative_Examples, Observed_Examples, Relationships
updated Relationships
updated Demonstrative_Examples
updated Demonstrative_Examples, Potential_Mitigations, Relationships
updated Observed_Examples, Relationships
updated Applicable_Platforms
updated Alternate_Terms, Demonstrative_Examples, Description
updated Potential_Mitigations, References, Relationships, Taxonomy_Mappings
updated Mapping_Notes, Relationships, Taxonomy_Mappings
updated Demonstrative_Examples
updated Alternate_Terms, Common_Consequences, Description, Diagram, Weakness_Ordinalities
updated Observed_Examples, Relationships
updated Observed_Examples, Relationships
updated Affected_Resources, Functional_Areas, References
updated Applicable_Platforms, Detection_Factors, References, Relationships
updated Mapping_Notes
updated Dimensions, Observed_Examples, References, Relationships, Taxonomy_Mappings
17024 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-QJ7R-HQCW-536P
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 03:43 – Updated: 2022-05-17 03:43Adobe Flash Player before 18.0.0.268 and 19.x and 20.x before 20.0.0.228 on Windows and OS X and before 11.2.202.554 on Linux, Adobe AIR before 20.0.0.204, Adobe AIR SDK before 20.0.0.204, and Adobe AIR SDK & Compiler before 20.0.0.204 allow attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read and memory corruption) via crafted MPEG-4 data, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-8045, CVE-2015-8047, CVE-2015-8060, CVE-2015-8408, CVE-2015-8416, CVE-2015-8417, CVE-2015-8418, CVE-2015-8419, CVE-2015-8443, CVE-2015-8444, CVE-2015-8451, CVE-2015-8455, CVE-2015-8652, CVE-2015-8654, CVE-2015-8656, CVE-2015-8657, and CVE-2015-8658.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2015-8820"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-119",
"CWE-787"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2016-03-04T23:59:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Adobe Flash Player before 18.0.0.268 and 19.x and 20.x before 20.0.0.228 on Windows and OS X and before 11.2.202.554 on Linux, Adobe AIR before 20.0.0.204, Adobe AIR SDK before 20.0.0.204, and Adobe AIR SDK \u0026 Compiler before 20.0.0.204 allow attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read and memory corruption) via crafted MPEG-4 data, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-8045, CVE-2015-8047, CVE-2015-8060, CVE-2015-8408, CVE-2015-8416, CVE-2015-8417, CVE-2015-8418, CVE-2015-8419, CVE-2015-8443, CVE-2015-8444, CVE-2015-8451, CVE-2015-8455, CVE-2015-8652, CVE-2015-8654, CVE-2015-8656, CVE-2015-8657, and CVE-2015-8658.",
"id": "GHSA-qj7r-hqcw-536p",
"modified": "2022-05-17T03:43:57Z",
"published": "2022-05-17T03:43:57Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2015-8820"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/flash-player/apsb15-32.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/84160"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-15-661"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-QJ82-G9MG-VP5W
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-09-04 00:30 – Updated: 2023-09-04 00:30A vulnerability was found in Tenda AC8 16.03.34.06_cn_TDC01. It has been declared as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is the function formSetDeviceName. The manipulation leads to stack-based buffer overflow. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier VDB-238633 was assigned to this vulnerability.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-4744"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-121",
"CWE-787"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-09-04T00:15:07Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "A vulnerability was found in Tenda AC8 16.03.34.06_cn_TDC01. It has been declared as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is the function formSetDeviceName. The manipulation leads to stack-based buffer overflow. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier VDB-238633 was assigned to this vulnerability.",
"id": "GHSA-qj82-g9mg-vp5w",
"modified": "2023-09-04T00:30:14Z",
"published": "2023-09-04T00:30:14Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-4744"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/GleamingEyes/vul/blob/main/tenda_ac8/ac8_1.md"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/?ctiid.238633"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/?id.238633"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-QJ8X-RVW2-JM6W
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-05-10 18:30 – Updated: 2026-02-25 18:31xpdf pdfimages v4.04 was discovered to contain a stack overflow in the component Catalog::readPageLabelTree2(Object*). This vulnerability allows attackers to cause a Denial of Service (DoS).
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-31554"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-787"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-05-10T16:15:12Z",
"severity": null
},
"details": "xpdf pdfimages v4.04 was discovered to contain a stack overflow in the component Catalog::readPageLabelTree2(Object*). This vulnerability allows attackers to cause a Denial of Service (DoS).",
"id": "GHSA-qj8x-rvw2-jm6w",
"modified": "2026-02-25T18:31:22Z",
"published": "2023-05-10T18:30:17Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-31554"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://forum.xpdfreader.com/viewtopic.php?t=42421"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-QJCX-RHWQ-959W
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-04-15 00:00 – Updated: 2022-04-22 00:00Two heap-based buffer overflow vulnerabilities exists in the JPEG-JFIF lossless Huffman image parser functionality of Accusoft ImageGear 19.10. A specially-crafted file can lead to a heap buffer overflow. An attacker can provide a malicious file to trigger these vulnerabilities. Placeholder
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-21946"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-122",
"CWE-787"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-04-14T20:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Two heap-based buffer overflow vulnerabilities exists in the JPEG-JFIF lossless Huffman image parser functionality of Accusoft ImageGear 19.10. A specially-crafted file can lead to a heap buffer overflow. An attacker can provide a malicious file to trigger these vulnerabilities. Placeholder",
"id": "GHSA-qjcx-rhwq-959w",
"modified": "2022-04-22T00:00:51Z",
"published": "2022-04-15T00:00:39Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-21946"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://talosintelligence.com/vulnerability_reports/TALOS-2021-1375"
}
],
"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-QJFJ-472G-7Q57
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-03-11 21:31 – Updated: 2026-03-12 00:31Easy MP3 Downloader 4.7.8.8 contains a buffer overflow vulnerability that allows local attackers to crash the application by supplying an excessively long unlock code. Attackers can generate a file containing 6000 'A' characters and paste the contents into the Unlock Code field during application startup to trigger a denial of service condition.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2019-25474"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-787"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-03-11T19:16:01Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Easy MP3 Downloader 4.7.8.8 contains a buffer overflow vulnerability that allows local attackers to crash the application by supplying an excessively long unlock code. Attackers can generate a file containing 6000 \u0027A\u0027 characters and paste the contents into the Unlock Code field during application startup to trigger a denial of service condition.",
"id": "GHSA-qjfj-472g-7q57",
"modified": "2026-03-12T00:31:16Z",
"published": "2026-03-11T21:31:02Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-25474"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://download.cnet.com/Easy-MP3-Downloader/3000-2141_4-10860695.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/47319"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/easy-mp-downloader-denial-of-service-buffer-overflow"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/easy-mp3-downloader-denial-of-service-buffer-overflow"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X",
"type": "CVSS_V4"
}
]
}
GHSA-QJG6-3PJ8-CQGJ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:10 – Updated: 2022-05-24 17:10Mozilla developers and community members reported memory safety bugs present in Firefox 72 and Firefox ESR 68.4. Some of these bugs showed evidence of memory corruption and we presume that with enough effort some of these could have been exploited to run arbitrary code. In general, these flaws cannot be exploited through email in the Thunderbird product because scripting is disabled when reading mail, but are potentially risks in browser or browser-like contexts. This vulnerability affects Thunderbird < 68.5, Firefox < 73, and Firefox < ESR68.5.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-6800"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-119",
"CWE-787"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2020-03-02T05:15:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Mozilla developers and community members reported memory safety bugs present in Firefox 72 and Firefox ESR 68.4. Some of these bugs showed evidence of memory corruption and we presume that with enough effort some of these could have been exploited to run arbitrary code. In general, these flaws cannot be exploited through email in the Thunderbird product because scripting is disabled when reading mail, but are potentially risks in browser or browser-like contexts. This vulnerability affects Thunderbird \u003c 68.5, Firefox \u003c 73, and Firefox \u003c ESR68.5.",
"id": "GHSA-qjg6-3pj8-cqgj",
"modified": "2022-05-24T17:10:00Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T17:10:00Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-6800"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/buglist.cgi?bug_id=1595786%2C1596706%2C1598543%2C1604851%2C1608580%2C1608785%2C1605777"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202003-02"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202003-10"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://usn.ubuntu.com/4278-2"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://usn.ubuntu.com/4328-1"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://usn.ubuntu.com/4335-1"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.mozilla.org/security/advisories/mfsa2020-05"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.mozilla.org/security/advisories/mfsa2020-06"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.mozilla.org/security/advisories/mfsa2020-07"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-QJG8-52HJ-5HJ8
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-12-15 21:30 – Updated: 2025-04-21 15:31An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved input validation. This issue is fixed in tvOS 16.2, iCloud for Windows 14.1, macOS Ventura 13.1, iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2, watchOS 9.2. Processing a maliciously crafted file may lead to arbitrary code execution.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-46693"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-787"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-12-15T19:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved input validation. This issue is fixed in tvOS 16.2, iCloud for Windows 14.1, macOS Ventura 13.1, iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2, watchOS 9.2. Processing a maliciously crafted file may lead to arbitrary code execution.",
"id": "GHSA-qjg8-52hj-5hj8",
"modified": "2025-04-21T15:31:11Z",
"published": "2022-12-15T21:30:31Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-46693"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213530"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213532"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213535"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213536"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213538"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2022/Dec/20"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2022/Dec/23"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2022/Dec/26"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2022/Dec/27"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-QJG9-WM29-5RCR
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-01-22 00:00 – Updated: 2023-07-24 15:30ASUS VivoMini/Mini PC device has an improper input validation vulnerability. A local attacker with system privilege can use system management interrupt (SMI) to modify memory, resulting in arbitrary code execution for controlling the system or disrupting service.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-21933"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-20",
"CWE-787"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-01-21T09:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "ASUS VivoMini/Mini PC device has an improper input validation vulnerability. A local attacker with system privilege can use system management interrupt (SMI) to modify memory, resulting in arbitrary code execution for controlling the system or disrupting service.",
"id": "GHSA-qjg9-wm29-5rcr",
"modified": "2023-07-24T15:30:18Z",
"published": "2022-01-22T00:00:47Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-21933"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.twcert.org.tw/tw/cp-132-5547-34bc4-1.html"
}
],
"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-QJGF-3H3W-5PHM
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-12 00:00 – Updated: 2022-05-12 00:00Acrobat Reader DC versions 22.001.20085 (and earlier), 20.005.3031x (and earlier) and 17.012.30205 (and earlier) are affected by an out-of-bounds write vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-27788"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-787"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-05-11T18:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Acrobat Reader DC versions 22.001.20085 (and earlier), 20.005.3031x (and earlier) and 17.012.30205 (and earlier) are affected by an out-of-bounds write vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file.",
"id": "GHSA-qjgf-3h3w-5phm",
"modified": "2022-05-12T00:00:42Z",
"published": "2022-05-12T00:00:42Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-27788"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/acrobat/apsb22-16.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-QJGM-RR3X-5Q3Q
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 19:13 – Updated: 2022-05-24 19:13An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved bounds checking. This issue is fixed in macOS Big Sur 11.4, Security Update 2021-003 Catalina, Security Update 2021-004 Mojave. A malicious application may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-30728"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-787"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2021-09-08T14:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved bounds checking. This issue is fixed in macOS Big Sur 11.4, Security Update 2021-003 Catalina, Security Update 2021-004 Mojave. A malicious application may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges.",
"id": "GHSA-qjgm-rr3x-5q3q",
"modified": "2022-05-24T19:13:49Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T19:13:49Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-30728"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212529"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212530"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212531"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
Mitigation MIT-3
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
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
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
- 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
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
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
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.