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

17065 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.

GHSA-VJQ8-QF9G-MXXR

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-03-26 00:31 – Updated: 2024-11-14 18:30
VLAI
Details

Stack-buffer-overflow vulnerability in ReadyMedia (MiniDLNA) v1.3.3 allows attackers to cause a denial of service via via the SendContainer() function at tivo_commands.c.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2023-47430"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-120",
      "CWE-787"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2024-03-25T22:37:19Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "Stack-buffer-overflow vulnerability in ReadyMedia (MiniDLNA) v1.3.3 allows attackers to cause a denial of service via via the SendContainer() function at tivo_commands.c.",
  "id": "GHSA-vjq8-qf9g-mxxr",
  "modified": "2024-11-14T18:30:31Z",
  "published": "2024-03-26T00:31:59Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-47430"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://sourceforge.net/p/minidlna/bugs/361"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://sourceforge.net/projects/minidlna"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:L",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-VJRW-GXXJ-H5J4

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-07-09 21:30 – Updated: 2024-07-09 21:30
VLAI
Details

InDesign Desktop versions ID19.3, ID18.5.2 and earlier are affected by a Heap-based Buffer Overflow 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.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2024-20785"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-122",
      "CWE-787"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2024-07-09T20:15:09Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "InDesign Desktop versions ID19.3, ID18.5.2 and earlier are affected by a Heap-based Buffer Overflow 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-vjrw-gxxj-h5j4",
  "modified": "2024-07-09T21:30:37Z",
  "published": "2024-07-09T21:30:37Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-20785"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/indesign/apsb24-48.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-VJW4-X6QJ-HQCP

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-11-09 12:00 – Updated: 2022-11-09 19:02
VLAI
Details

In MMU_UnmapPages of the PowerVR kernel driver, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android SoCAndroid ID: A-243825200

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2021-1050"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-787"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2022-11-08T22:15:00Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "In MMU_UnmapPages of the PowerVR kernel driver, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android SoCAndroid ID: A-243825200",
  "id": "GHSA-vjw4-x6qj-hqcp",
  "modified": "2022-11-09T19:02:22Z",
  "published": "2022-11-09T12:00:20Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-1050"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2022-11-01"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/175260/PowerVR-Out-Of-Bounds-Access-Information-Leak.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-VJWJ-M2X7-8W7Q

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-08-01 09:30 – Updated: 2024-08-01 09:30
VLAI
Details

Dell iDRAC Service Module version 5.3.0.0 and prior, contain a Out of bound Write Vulnerability. A privileged local attacker could execute arbitrary code potentially resulting in a denial of service event.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2024-25948"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-787"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2024-08-01T08:15:02Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "Dell iDRAC Service Module version 5.3.0.0 and prior, contain a Out of bound Write Vulnerability. A privileged local attacker could execute arbitrary code potentially resulting in a denial of service event.",
  "id": "GHSA-vjwj-m2x7-8w7q",
  "modified": "2024-08-01T09:30:49Z",
  "published": "2024-08-01T09:30:49Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-25948"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000227444/dsa-2024-086-security-update-for-dell-idrac-service-module-for-memory-corruption-vulnerabilities"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-VJWJ-PMWP-XGV6

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-06-02 21:30 – Updated: 2024-04-04 04:30
VLAI
Details

Tenda AC8V4.0-V16.03.34.06 was discovered to contain a stack overflow via the deviceId parameter in the saveParentControlInfo function.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2023-33671"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-787"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2023-06-02T20:15:09Z",
    "severity": "CRITICAL"
  },
  "details": "Tenda AC8V4.0-V16.03.34.06 was discovered to contain a stack overflow via the deviceId parameter in the saveParentControlInfo function.",
  "id": "GHSA-vjwj-pmwp-xgv6",
  "modified": "2024-04-04T04:30:57Z",
  "published": "2023-06-02T21:30:16Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-33671"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/DDizzzy79/Tenda-CVE/blob/main/AC8V4.0/N4/README.md"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/DDizzzy79/Tenda-CVE/tree/main/AC8V4.0/N4"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-VJWM-H4MX-972H

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:24 – Updated: 2025-05-05 18:30
VLAI
Details

Adobe Bridge versions 10.0.3 and earlier have an out-of-bounds write vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2020-9674"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-787"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2020-07-22T20:15:00Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "Adobe Bridge versions 10.0.3 and earlier have an out-of-bounds write vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.",
  "id": "GHSA-vjwm-h4mx-972h",
  "modified": "2025-05-05T18:30:44Z",
  "published": "2022-05-24T17:24:11Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-9674"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/bridge/apsb20-44.html"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-913"
    }
  ],
  "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-VJXP-5J85-5RQG

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-09-30 18:33 – Updated: 2026-10-15 18:31
VLAI
Details

An attacker could cause a heap buffer overflow by getting a user to open an email that is greater than or equal to 2GB in size. This vulnerability was fixed in Thunderbird 157, Thunderbird 140.17, and Thunderbird 153.4.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2026-103500"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-122",
      "CWE-787"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2026-09-30T18:18:18Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "An attacker could cause a heap buffer overflow by getting a user to open an email that is greater than or equal to 2GB in size. This vulnerability was fixed in Thunderbird 157, Thunderbird 140.17, and Thunderbird 153.4.",
  "id": "GHSA-vjxp-5j85-5rqg",
  "modified": "2026-10-15T18:31:39Z",
  "published": "2026-09-30T18:33:51Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-103500"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=2070267"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.mozilla.org/security/advisories/mfsa2026-101"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.mozilla.org/security/advisories/mfsa2026-102"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.mozilla.org/security/advisories/mfsa2026-103"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-VM2H-V6V6-P7FC

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-07-14 15:32 – Updated: 2026-07-15 15:32
VLAI
Details

A security issue exists within Arena® Simulation due to a memory corruption vulnerability in the siman.exe (Siman) component. The vulnerability stems from improper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in an out-of-bounds write. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current process by convincing a user to open a malicious file.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2026-8314"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-787"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2026-07-14T13:19:11Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "A security issue exists within Arena\u00ae Simulation due to a memory corruption vulnerability in the\u00a0siman.exe (Siman) component. The vulnerability stems from improper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in an out-of-bounds write. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current process by convincing a user to open a malicious file.",
  "id": "GHSA-vm2h-v6v6-p7fc",
  "modified": "2026-07-15T15:32:47Z",
  "published": "2026-07-14T15:32:17Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-8314"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.rockwellautomation.com/en-us/trust-center/security-advisories/advisory.SD1784.html"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    },
    {
      "score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/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-VM2X-3JWQ-MV8X

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-05-22 03:30 – Updated: 2025-06-18 00:31
VLAI
Details

GStreamer H265 Codec Parsing Stack-based Buffer Overflow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of GStreamer. Interaction with this library is required to exploit this vulnerability but attack vectors may vary depending on the implementation.

The specific flaw exists within the parsing of H265 slice headers. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of the length of user-supplied data prior to copying it to a fixed-length stack-based buffer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-26596.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2025-3887"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-121",
      "CWE-787"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2025-05-22T01:15:54Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "GStreamer H265 Codec Parsing Stack-based Buffer Overflow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of GStreamer. Interaction with this library is required to exploit this vulnerability but attack vectors may vary depending on the implementation.\n\nThe specific flaw exists within the parsing of H265 slice headers. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of the length of user-supplied data prior to copying it to a fixed-length stack-based buffer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-26596.",
  "id": "GHSA-vm2x-3jwq-mv8x",
  "modified": "2025-06-18T00:31:08Z",
  "published": "2025-05-22T03:30:30Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-3887"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/06/msg00017.html"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-25-267"
    }
  ],
  "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-VM43-MMM6-F295

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-10-14 21:30 – Updated: 2025-10-14 21:30
VLAI
Details

Substance3D - Viewer versions 0.25.2 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.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2025-54273"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-787"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2025-10-14T19:15:42Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "Substance3D - Viewer versions 0.25.2 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-vm43-mmm6-f295",
  "modified": "2025-10-14T21:30:45Z",
  "published": "2025-10-14T21:30:45Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-54273"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/substance3d-viewer/apsb25-99.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"
    }
  ]
}

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.