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
17070 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-VQXX-XVGV-6CXP
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-06-16 00:00 – Updated: 2022-06-24 00:00An exploitable out-of-bounds write vulnerability in PotPlayer 1.7.21523 build 210729 may lead to code execution, information disclosure, and denial of service.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-40212"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-787"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-06-15T11:15:00Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "An exploitable out-of-bounds write vulnerability in PotPlayer 1.7.21523 build 210729 may lead to code execution, information disclosure, and denial of service.",
"id": "GHSA-vqxx-xvgv-6cxp",
"modified": "2022-06-24T00:00:29Z",
"published": "2022-06-16T00:00:28Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-40212"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://a-man-in-the-cookie.blogspot.com"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://a-man-in-the-cookie.blogspot.com/2021/08/PotPlayer-Critical-Memory-Access-Violation-Vulnerability.html"
}
],
"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-VR2R-RP8H-3J86
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-03-14 21:31 – Updated: 2025-03-14 21:31A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in HDF5 1.14.6. This affects the function H5Z__scaleoffset_decompress_one_byte of the component Scale-Offset Filter. The manipulation leads to heap-based buffer overflow. An attack has to be approached locally. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The real existence of this vulnerability is still doubted at the moment. The vendor was contacted early about a batch of vulnerabilities. His response was "reject" without further explanation. We have not received an elaboration even after asking politely for further details. Currently we assume that the vendor wants to "dispute" the entries which is why they are flagged as such until further details become available.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-2308"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-119",
"CWE-787"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-03-14T21:15:37Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in HDF5 1.14.6. This affects the function H5Z__scaleoffset_decompress_one_byte of the component Scale-Offset Filter. The manipulation leads to heap-based buffer overflow. An attack has to be approached locally. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The real existence of this vulnerability is still doubted at the moment. The vendor was contacted early about a batch of vulnerabilities. His response was \"reject\" without further explanation. We have not received an elaboration even after asking politely for further details. Currently we assume that the vendor wants to \"dispute\" the entries which is why they are flagged as such until further details become available.",
"id": "GHSA-vr2r-rp8h-3j86",
"modified": "2025-03-14T21:31:40Z",
"published": "2025-03-14T21:31:40Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-2308"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/madao123123/crash_report/blob/main/hdf5_poc/hdf5_poc2.md"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/?ctiid.299721"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/?id.299721"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/?submit.514531"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:L/VI:L/VA:L/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-VR32-G8RC-QGW4
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-02-12 06:30 – Updated: 2023-02-21 18:30Memory corruption in modem due to improper length check while copying into memory
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-25729"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-20",
"CWE-787"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-02-12T04:15:00Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "Memory corruption in modem due to improper length check while copying into memory",
"id": "GHSA-vr32-g8rc-qgw4",
"modified": "2023-02-21T18:30:19Z",
"published": "2023-02-12T06:30:29Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-25729"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.qualcomm.com/company/product-security/bulletins/february-2023-bulletin"
}
],
"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-VR3J-FQ3J-PRVJ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-12-19 18:30 – Updated: 2023-12-19 18:30An attacker sending specially crafted data packets to the Mobile Device Server can cause memory corruption which could result to a Denial of Service (DoS) or code execution.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-46258"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-787"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-12-19T16:15:10Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "An attacker sending specially crafted data packets to the Mobile Device Server can cause memory corruption which could result to a Denial of Service (DoS) or code execution.",
"id": "GHSA-vr3j-fq3j-prvj",
"modified": "2023-12-19T18:30:31Z",
"published": "2023-12-19T18:30:31Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-46258"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://download.wavelink.com/Files/avalanche_v6.4.2_release_notes.txt"
}
],
"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-VR3P-GG26-45V9
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-07-01 17:44 – Updated: 2026-07-01 17:44Summary
A memory-safety vulnerability in Open Babel's Gaussian output parser allowed an out-of-bounds write when reading a crafted input file.
Details
The flaw was in the coords_type orientation parser inside the
Gaussian output reader. A malformed orientation block caused the
parser to write past the end of its destination buffer.
Impact
Open Babel is a C++ library and CLI used to read and write chemistry
file formats; it is shipped by Linux distributions and embedded in
services that may parse untrusted input. Triggering this vulnerability
requires the victim to open a malicious Gaussian output file with the
obabel tool, the OBConversion API, or any of the language
bindings (Python, Ruby, Java, R, Perl, C#, PHP).
Affected versions
All releases up to and including 3.1.1.
Patched version
3.2.0 (released 2026-05-26).
Patch
Fix commit: https://github.com/openbabel/openbabel/commit/528c142f
A minimized reproducer for this CVE is checked in under
test/files/fuzz_regress/ and is exercised on every CI build under
ASAN+UBSAN by the fuzzregresstest harness.
Credit
Reported by Cisco TALOS.
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "PyPI",
"name": "openbabel"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "3.2.0"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-37331"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-119",
"CWE-787"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2026-07-01T17:44:00Z",
"nvd_published_at": null,
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "### Summary\n\nA memory-safety vulnerability in Open Babel\u0027s Gaussian output parser\nallowed an out-of-bounds write when reading a crafted input file.\n\n### Details\n\nThe flaw was in the `coords_type` orientation parser inside the\nGaussian output reader. A malformed orientation block caused the\nparser to write past the end of its destination buffer.\n\n### Impact\n\nOpen Babel is a C++ library and CLI used to read and write chemistry\nfile formats; it is shipped by Linux distributions and embedded in\nservices that may parse untrusted input. Triggering this vulnerability\nrequires the victim to open a malicious Gaussian output file with the\n`obabel` tool, the `OBConversion` API, or any of the language\nbindings (Python, Ruby, Java, R, Perl, C#, PHP).\n\n### Affected versions\n\nAll releases up to and including 3.1.1.\n\n### Patched version\n\n3.2.0 (released 2026-05-26).\n\n### Patch\n\nFix commit: https://github.com/openbabel/openbabel/commit/528c142f\n\nA minimized reproducer for this CVE is checked in under\n`test/files/fuzz_regress/` and is exercised on every CI build under\nASAN+UBSAN by the `fuzzregresstest` harness.\n\n### Credit\n\nReported by Cisco TALOS.",
"id": "GHSA-vr3p-gg26-45v9",
"modified": "2026-07-01T17:44:00Z",
"published": "2026-07-01T17:44:00Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/openbabel/openbabel/security/advisories/GHSA-vr3p-gg26-45v9"
},
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-37331"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/openbabel/openbabel/commit/528c142f"
},
{
"type": "PACKAGE",
"url": "https://github.com/openbabel/openbabel"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://talosintelligence.com/vulnerability_reports/TALOS-2022-1672"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.talosintelligence.com/vulnerability_reports/TALOS-2022-1672"
}
],
"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"
}
],
"summary": "Open Babel has out-of-bounds write in Gaussian coords_type orientation parser"
}
GHSA-VR3R-85RJ-X4P4
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-02-17 00:00 – Updated: 2022-04-01 00:01A stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability exists in the Gerber Viewer gerber and excellon ReadXYCoord coordinate parsing functionality of KiCad EDA 6.0.1 and master commit de006fc010. A specially-crafted gerber or excellon file can lead to code execution. An attacker can provide a malicious file to trigger this vulnerability.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-23803"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-121",
"CWE-787"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-02-16T17:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability exists in the Gerber Viewer gerber and excellon ReadXYCoord coordinate parsing functionality of KiCad EDA 6.0.1 and master commit de006fc010. A specially-crafted gerber or excellon file can lead to code execution. An attacker can provide a malicious file to trigger this vulnerability.",
"id": "GHSA-vr3r-85rj-x4p4",
"modified": "2022-04-01T00:01:09Z",
"published": "2022-02-17T00:00:28Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-23803"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2022/05/msg00009.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2022/08/msg00010.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/5EMCGSSP3FIWCSL2KXVXLF35JYZKZE5Q"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://talosintelligence.com/vulnerability_reports/TALOS-2022-1453"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.debian.org/security/2022/dsa-5214"
}
],
"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-VR3R-R5QQ-WVX5
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-14 01:27 – Updated: 2022-05-14 01:27Adobe Flash Player versions 29.0.0.113 and earlier have an exploitable out-of-bounds write vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2018-4937"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-787"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2018-05-19T17:29:00Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "Adobe Flash Player versions 29.0.0.113 and earlier have an exploitable out-of-bounds write vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user.",
"id": "GHSA-vr3r-r5qq-wvx5",
"modified": "2022-05-14T01:27:45Z",
"published": "2022-05-14T01:27:45Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-4937"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:1119"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/flash-player/apsb18-08.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201804-11"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/44529"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/103708"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1040648"
}
],
"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-VR3W-HHJJ-CJXM
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-13 01:01 – Updated: 2022-05-13 01:01An exploitable out-of-bounds write exists in the TIFF-parsing functionality of Canvas Draw version 5.0.0. A specially crafted TIFF image processed via the application can lead to an out-of-bounds write, overwriting arbitrary data. An attacker can deliver a TIFF image to trigger this vulnerability and gain code execution.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2018-3980"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-787"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2019-02-06T21:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "An exploitable out-of-bounds write exists in the TIFF-parsing functionality of Canvas Draw version 5.0.0. A specially crafted TIFF image processed via the application can lead to an out-of-bounds write, overwriting arbitrary data. An attacker can deliver a TIFF image to trigger this vulnerability and gain code execution.",
"id": "GHSA-vr3w-hhjj-cjxm",
"modified": "2022-05-13T01:01:49Z",
"published": "2022-05-13T01:01:49Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-3980"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://talosintelligence.com/vulnerability_reports/TALOS-2018-0648"
}
],
"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-VR4G-746H-F4JG
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-02-03 06:30 – Updated: 2025-02-03 18:30In V5 DA, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to local escalation of privilege, if an attacker has physical access to the device, with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation. Patch ID: ALPS09291406; Issue ID: MSV-2070.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-20142"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-787"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-02-03T04:15:07Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "In V5 DA, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to local escalation of privilege, if an attacker has physical access to the device, with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation. Patch ID: ALPS09291406; Issue ID: MSV-2070.",
"id": "GHSA-vr4g-746h-f4jg",
"modified": "2025-02-03T18:30:40Z",
"published": "2025-02-03T06:30:52Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-20142"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://corp.mediatek.com/product-security-bulletin/February-2025"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-VR5C-78WC-F9C4
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-01-15 00:02 – Updated: 2022-01-26 00:03A stack buffer overflow vulnerability has been reported to affect QNAP device running QVR Elite, QVR Pro, QVR Guard. If exploited, this vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code. We have already fixed this vulnerability in the following versions of QVR Elite, QVR Pro, QVR Guard: QuTS hero h5.0.0: QVR Elite 2.1.4.0 (2021/12/06) and later QuTS hero h4.5.4: QVR Elite 2.1.4.0 (2021/12/06) and later QTS 5.0.0: QVR Elite 2.1.4.0 (2021/12/06) and later QTS 4.5.4: QVR Elite 2.1.4.0 (2021/12/06) and later QTS 4.5.4: QVR Pro 2.1.3.0 (2021/12/06) and later QTS 5.0.0: QVR Pro 2.1.3.0 (2021/12/06) and later QTS 4.5.4: QVR Guard 2.1.3.0 and later QTS 5.0.0: QVR Guard 2.1.3.0 and later
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-38682"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-787"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-01-14T01:15:00Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "A stack buffer overflow vulnerability has been reported to affect QNAP device running QVR Elite, QVR Pro, QVR Guard. If exploited, this vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code. We have already fixed this vulnerability in the following versions of QVR Elite, QVR Pro, QVR Guard: QuTS hero h5.0.0: QVR Elite 2.1.4.0 (2021/12/06) and later QuTS hero h4.5.4: QVR Elite 2.1.4.0 (2021/12/06) and later QTS 5.0.0: QVR Elite 2.1.4.0 (2021/12/06) and later QTS 4.5.4: QVR Elite 2.1.4.0 (2021/12/06) and later QTS 4.5.4: QVR Pro 2.1.3.0 (2021/12/06) and later QTS 5.0.0: QVR Pro 2.1.3.0 (2021/12/06) and later QTS 4.5.4: QVR Guard 2.1.3.0 and later QTS 5.0.0: QVR Guard 2.1.3.0 and later",
"id": "GHSA-vr5c-78wc-f9c4",
"modified": "2022-01-26T00:03:39Z",
"published": "2022-01-15T00:02:01Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-38682"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.qnap.com/en/security-advisory/qsa-21-59"
}
],
"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.