CWE-676 Base Borrador 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…

Definición

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.
Impacto en el mundo real

Real-world CVEs caused by CWE-676

Cómo lo explotan los atacantes

Ruta del atacante paso a paso

  1. 1

    Identifica una ruta de código que maneje entrada no confiable sin validación.

  2. 2

    Crea un payload que ejercite el comportamiento inseguro — inyección, traversal, overflow o abuso de lógica.

  3. 3

    Envía el payload a través de una solicitud normal y observa la reacción de la aplicación.

  4. 4

    Itera hasta que la respuesta filtre datos, ejecute código del atacante o escale privilegios.

Ejemplo de código vulnerable

Vulnerable C

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

Vulnerable C 
void manipulate_string(char * string){
  	char buf[24];
  	strcpy(buf, string);
  	...
  }
Ejemplo de código seguro

Secure pseudo

Seguro 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.
Lista de prevención

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]
Señales de detección

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

Auto-corrección de Plexicus

Plexicus detecta automáticamente CWE-676 y abre un PR de corrección en menos de 60 segundos.

Codex Remedium escanea cada commit, identifica esta debilidad concreta y entrega un pull request listo para revisión con el parche. Sin tickets. Sin traspasos.

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Preguntas frecuentes

Frequently asked questions

¿Qué es 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.

¿Qué gravedad tiene CWE-676?

MITRE califica la probabilidad de explotación como Alta — esta debilidad se explota activamente en la práctica y debe priorizarse para su remediación.

¿Qué lenguajes o plataformas se ven afectados por CWE-676?

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

¿Cómo puedo prevenir CWE-676?

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]

¿Cómo detecta y corrige Plexicus CWE-676?

El motor SAST de Plexicus detecta la firma de flujo de datos para CWE-676 en cada commit. Cuando hay coincidencia, nuestro agente Codex Remedium abre un PR de corrección con el código corregido, las pruebas y un resumen de una línea para el revisor.

¿Dónde puedo aprender más sobre CWE-676?

MITRE publica la definición canónica en https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/676.html. También puedes consultar la documentación de OWASP y NIST para guías relacionadas.

Debilidades relacionadas

Weaknesses related to CWE-676

CWE-1177 Padre

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 Hermano

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 Hijo

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…

Recursos

Further reading

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