Calling the signal() function in a multithreaded program is undefined behavior. (See undefined behavior 135.)
This noncompliant code example invokes the signal() function from a multithreaded program:
#include <signal.h>
#include <stddef.h>
#include <threads.h>
volatile sig_atomic_t flag = 0;
void handler(int signum) {
flag = 1;
}
/* Runs until user sends SIGUSR1 */
int func(void *data) {
while (!flag) {
/* ... */
}
return 0;
}
int main(void) {
signal(SIGUSR1, handler); /* Undefined behavior */
thrd_t tid;
if (thrd_success != thrd_create(&tid, func, NULL)) {
/* Handle error */
}
/* ... */
return 0;
} |
NOTE: The SIGUSR1 signal value is not defined in the C Standard; consequently, this is not a C-compliant code example.
This compliant solution uses an object of type atomic_bool to indicate when the child thread should terminate its loop:
#include <stdatomic.h>
#include <stdbool.h>
#include <stddef.h>
#include <threads.h>
atomic_bool flag = ATOMIC_VAR_INIT(false);
int func(void *data) {
while (!flag) {
/* ... */
}
return 0;
}
int main(void) {
thrd_t tid;
if (thrd_success != thrd_create(&tid, func, NULL)) {
/* Handle error */
}
/* ... */
/* Set flag when done */
flag = true;
return 0;
} |
CON37-C-EX1: Implementations such as POSIX that provide defined behavior when multithreaded programs use custom signal handlers are exempt from this rule [IEEE Std 1003.1-2013].
Mixing signals and threads causes undefined behavior.
Rule | Severity | Likelihood | Remediation Cost | Priority | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CON37-C | Low | Probable | Low | P6 | L2 |
Search for vulnerabilities resulting from the violation of this rule on the CERT website.
| Tool | Version | Checker | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Astrée | Supported, but no explicit checker | ||
| CodeSonar | BADFUNC.SIGNAL | Use of signal | |
| Coverity | MISRA C 2012 Rule 21.5 | Over-constraining | |
| LDRA tool suite | 44 S | Enhanced enforcement | |
| Parasoft C/C++test |
| MISRA2012-RULE-21_5_b | Use of signal |
| RuleChecker | Supported, but no explicit checker | ||
| PRQA QA-C++ | 5022 |
| [IEEE Std 1003.1-2013] | XSH 2.9.1, "Thread Safety" |