Insufficient Control Flow Management
This vulnerability occurs when a program's execution flow isn't properly managed, allowing attackers to bypass critical checks, trigger unexpected code paths, or disrupt normal operation.
Insufficient control flow management happens when developers don't anticipate all possible execution states or fail to implement proper validation at decision points. This can include missing break statements in switch cases, poorly constructed loops that can be prematurely exited, or inadequate validation that allows attackers to skip over security checks. Without clear guardrails, the program's logic can be manipulated to reach code sections under unauthorized conditions. To prevent this, developers should implement strict state management and validate every transition in the program's logic flow. Use defensive programming techniques like complete condition coverage, explicit state machines, and mandatory checks before critical operations. Always assume that attackers will try to find unexpected paths through your code, and design your control flow to be resilient against such manipulation.
Impact: Alter Execution Logic
ID : DX-24
The following function attempts to acquire a lock in order to perform operations on a shared resource.Code Example:
c/* access shared resource /
cCode Example:
c/* access shared resource /
cID : DX-181
In this example, the programmer has indented the statements to call Do_X() and Do_Y(), as if the intention is that these functions are only called when the condition is true. However, because there are no braces to signify the block, Do_Y() will always be executed, even if the condition is false.Code Example:
cID : DX-157
This function prints the contents of a specified file requested by a user.Code Example:
php//read file into string* $file = file_get_contents($filename); if ($file && isOwnerOf($username,$filename)){ ``` echo $file; return true; } else{ echo 'You are not authorized to view this file'; } return false; }
- WASC