CWE-676 Base Draft High likelihood

Use of Potentially Dangerous Function

This vulnerability occurs when code calls a function that can be dangerous if misused, but can also be used safely with proper precautions. The risk lies not in the function itself, but in how it's…

Definition

What is CWE-676?

This vulnerability occurs when code calls a function that can be dangerous if misused, but can also be used safely with proper precautions. The risk lies not in the function itself, but in how it's implemented.
Many programming languages and libraries include powerful, low-level functions that offer performance benefits or direct system access. Functions like `strcpy()`, `eval()`, or `system()` are common examples. While they are legitimate tools, they become security risks when developers use them without validating input, managing memory, or understanding their side effects. The core issue is assuming these functions are safe by default, rather than treating them as operations that require explicit safeguards. To mitigate this, developers should first seek safer, modern alternatives provided by the language or framework, such as bounded string copy functions or secure APIs. When a dangerous function must be used, it is critical to implement strict input validation, output encoding, and context-aware sanitization around it. Security is maintained by wrapping these functions with robust checks and limits, never trusting uncontrolled data, and conducting regular code reviews focused on these specific high-risk calls.
Auswirkungen in der Praxis

Real-world CVEs caused by CWE-676

Wie Angreifer es ausnutzen

Angreiferpfad Schritt für Schritt

  1. 1

    Identifiziere einen Codepfad, der nicht vertrauenswürdige Eingaben ohne Validierung verarbeitet.

  2. 2

    Erzeuge eine Payload, die das unsichere Verhalten auslöst — Injection, Traversal, Overflow oder Logik-Missbrauch.

  3. 3

    Liefere die Payload über einen normalen Request aus und beobachte die Reaktion der Anwendung.

  4. 4

    Iteriere, bis die Antwort Daten preisgibt, Angreifer-Code ausführt oder Berechtigungen eskaliert.

Verwundbares Codebeispiel

Vulnerable C

The following code attempts to create a local copy of a buffer to perform some manipulations to the data.

Verwundbar C 
void manipulate_string(char * string){
  	char buf[24];
  	strcpy(buf, string);
  	...
  }
Sicheres Codebeispiel

Secure pseudo

Sicher pseudo 
// Validate, sanitize, or use a safe API before reaching the sink.
function handleRequest(input) {
  const safe = validateAndEscape(input);
  return executeWithGuards(safe);
}
What changed: the unsafe sink is replaced (or the input is validated/escaped) so the same payload no longer triggers the weakness.
Präventions-Checkliste

How to prevent CWE-676

  • Build and Compilation / Implementation Identify a list of prohibited API functions and prohibit developers from using these functions, providing safer alternatives. In some cases, automatic code analysis tools or the compiler can be instructed to spot use of prohibited functions, such as the "banned.h" include file from Microsoft's SDL. [REF-554] [REF-7]
Erkennungssignale

How to detect CWE-676

Automated Static Analysis - Binary or Bytecode High

According to SOAR [REF-1479], the following detection techniques may be useful: ``` Highly cost effective: ``` Bytecode Weakness Analysis - including disassembler + source code weakness analysis Binary Weakness Analysis - including disassembler + source code weakness analysis ``` Cost effective for partial coverage: ``` Binary / Bytecode Quality Analysis Binary / Bytecode simple extractor - strings, ELF readers, etc.

Manual Static Analysis - Binary or Bytecode SOAR Partial

According to SOAR [REF-1479], the following detection techniques may be useful: ``` Cost effective for partial coverage: ``` Binary / Bytecode disassembler - then use manual analysis for vulnerabilities & anomalies

Dynamic Analysis with Manual Results Interpretation High

According to SOAR [REF-1479], the following detection techniques may be useful: ``` Highly cost effective: ``` Debugger ``` Cost effective for partial coverage: ``` Monitored Virtual Environment - run potentially malicious code in sandbox / wrapper / virtual machine, see if it does anything suspicious

Manual Static Analysis - Source Code High

According to SOAR [REF-1479], the following detection techniques may be useful: ``` Highly cost effective: ``` Manual Source Code Review (not inspections) ``` Cost effective for partial coverage: ``` Focused Manual Spotcheck - Focused manual analysis of source

Automated Static Analysis - Source Code High

According to SOAR [REF-1479], the following detection techniques may be useful: ``` Highly cost effective: ``` Source code Weakness Analyzer Context-configured Source Code Weakness Analyzer ``` Cost effective for partial coverage: ``` Warning Flags Source Code Quality Analyzer

Automated Static Analysis SOAR Partial

According to SOAR [REF-1479], the following detection techniques may be useful: ``` Cost effective for partial coverage: ``` Origin Analysis

Plexicus Auto-Fix

Plexicus erkennt CWE-676 automatisch und öffnet in unter 60 Sekunden einen Fix-PR.

Codex Remedium scannt jeden Commit, identifiziert genau diese Schwachstelle und liefert einen reviewer-ready Pull Request mit dem Patch. Keine Tickets. Keine Hand-offs.

Demo anfordern Plexicus kostenlos testen
Häufig gestellte Fragen

Frequently asked questions

Was ist CWE-676?

This vulnerability occurs when code calls a function that can be dangerous if misused, but can also be used safely with proper precautions. The risk lies not in the function itself, but in how it's implemented.

Wie gravierend ist CWE-676?

MITRE stuft die Exploit-Wahrscheinlichkeit als hoch ein — diese Schwachstelle wird aktiv in freier Wildbahn ausgenutzt und sollte priorisiert behoben werden.

Welche Sprachen oder Plattformen sind von CWE-676 betroffen?

MITRE lists the following affected platforms: C, C++.

Wie kann ich CWE-676 verhindern?

Identify a list of prohibited API functions and prohibit developers from using these functions, providing safer alternatives. In some cases, automatic code analysis tools or the compiler can be instructed to spot use of prohibited functions, such as the "banned.h" include file from Microsoft's SDL. [REF-554] [REF-7]

Wie erkennt und behebt Plexicus CWE-676?

Die SAST-Engine von Plexicus erkennt die Datenfluss-Signatur von CWE-676 bei jedem Commit. Bei einem Treffer öffnet unser Codex-Remedium-Agent einen Fix-PR mit korrigiertem Code, Tests und einer einzeiligen Zusammenfassung für den Reviewer.

Wo erfahre ich mehr über CWE-676?

MITRE veröffentlicht die kanonische Definition unter https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/676.html. Für ergänzende Hinweise kannst du auch die OWASP- und NIST-Dokumentation heranziehen.

Verwandte Schwachstellen

Weaknesses related to CWE-676

CWE-1177 Parent

Use of Prohibited Code

This vulnerability occurs when software incorporates a function, library, or third-party component that has been explicitly banned by the…

CWE-242 Sibling

Use of Inherently Dangerous Function

This vulnerability occurs when code uses functions that are inherently unsafe and cannot be reliably secured, posing a direct risk to…

CWE-785 Child

Use of Path Manipulation Function without Maximum-sized Buffer

This vulnerability occurs when a program uses a path manipulation function but supplies an output buffer that is too small to hold the…

Ressourcen

Further reading

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