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Mutex objects are used to protect shared data from being concurrently accessed. If a mutex object is destroyed while a thread is blocked waiting for the lock, critical sections and shared data are no longer protected.

The C++ Standard, [thread.mutex.class], paragraph 5 [ISO/IEC 14882-2014], states:

The behavior of a program is undefined if it destroys a mutex object owned by any thread or a thread terminates while owning a mutex object.

Similar wording exists for std::recursive_mutexstd::timed_mutexstd::recursive_timed_mutex, and std::shared_timed_mutex. These statements imply that destroying a mutex object while a thread is waiting on it is undefined behavior.

Noncompliant Code Example

This noncompliant code example creates several threads that each invoke the do_work() function, passing a unique number as an ID.

#include <mutex>
#include <thread>

const size_t maxThreads = 10;

void do_work(size_t i, std::mutex *pm) {
  std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lk(*pm);

  // Access data protected by the lock.
}

void start_threads() {
  std::thread threads[maxThreads];
  std::mutex m;

  for (size_t i = 0; i < maxThreads; ++i) {
    threads[i] = std::thread(do_work, i, &m);
  }
}

Compliant Solution

This compliant solution eliminates the race condition by extending the lifetime of the mutex:

#include <mutex>
#include <thread>

const size_t maxThreads = 10;

void do_work(size_t i, std::mutex *pm) {
  std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lk(*pm);

  // Access data protected by the lock.
}

std::mutex m;

void start_threads() {
  std::thread threads[maxThreads];

  for (size_t i = 0; i < maxThreads; ++i) {
    threads[i] = std::thread(do_work, i, &m);
  }
}

Compliant Solution

This compliant solution eliminates the race condition by joining the threads before the mutex's destructor is invoked:

#include <mutex>
#include <thread>

const size_t maxThreads = 10;

void do_work(size_t i, std::mutex *pm) {
  std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lk(*pm);

  // Access data protected by the lock.
}
void run_threads() {
  std::thread threads[maxThreads];
  std::mutex m;

  for (size_t i = 0; i < maxThreads; ++i) {
    threads[i] = std::thread(do_work, i, &m);
  }

  for (size_t i = 0; i < maxThreads; ++i) {
    threads[i].join();
  }
}

Risk Assessment

Destroying a mutex while it is locked may result in invalid control flow and data corruption.

Rule

Severity

Likelihood

Remediation Cost

Priority

Level

CON50-CPP

Medium

Probable

High

P4

L3

Related Vulnerabilities

Search for vulnerabilities resulting from the violation of this rule on the CERT website.

Related Guidelines

Bibliography

[ISO/IEC 14882-2014]Subclause 30.4.1, "Mutex Requirements"

 


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