CWE-676 Base Rascunho 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…

Definição

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 no mundo real

Real-world CVEs caused by CWE-676

Como os atacantes a exploram

Trajeto do atacante passo a passo

  1. 1

    Identificar um caminho de código que trata input não confiável sem validação.

  2. 2

    Criar um payload que explora o comportamento inseguro — injeção, traversal, overflow ou abuso de lógica.

  3. 3

    Entregar o payload através de um pedido normal e observar a reação da aplicação.

  4. 4

    Iterar até que a resposta exponha dados, execute código do atacante ou escale privilégios.

Exemplo de código vulnerável

Vulnerable C

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

Vulnerável C 
void manipulate_string(char * string){
  	char buf[24];
  	strcpy(buf, string);
  	...
  }
Exemplo 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 verificação de prevenção

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]
Sinais de deteção

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

Correção automática do Plexicus

O Plexicus deteta automaticamente o CWE-676 e abre um PR de correção em menos de 60 segundos.

O Codex Remedium analisa cada commit, identifica esta fraqueza exata e entrega um pull request pronto para revisão com o patch. Sem tickets. Sem transferências.

Obter uma demonstração Experimente o Plexicus gratuitamente
Perguntas frequentes

Frequently asked questions

O que é o 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.

Qual a gravidade do CWE-676?

A MITRE classifica a probabilidade de exploração como Alta — esta fraqueza é ativamente explorada em campo e deve ser priorizada para remediação.

Que linguagens ou plataformas são afetadas pelo CWE-676?

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

Como posso prevenir o 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]

Como é que o Plexicus deteta e corrige o CWE-676?

O motor SAST do Plexicus correlaciona a assinatura de fluxo de dados do CWE-676 em cada commit. Quando é encontrada uma correspondência, o nosso agente Codex Remedium abre um PR de correção com o código corrigido, testes e um resumo de uma linha para o revisor.

Onde posso saber mais sobre o CWE-676?

A MITRE publica a definição canónica em https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/676.html. Pode também consultar a documentação da OWASP e do NIST para orientações adjacentes.

Fraquezas relacionadas

Weaknesses related to CWE-676

CWE-1177 Pai

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 Irmão

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 Filho

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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