Ensuring that array references are within the bounds of the array is almost entirely the responsibility of the programmer. Likewise, when using standard template library vectors, the programmer is responsible for ensuring integer indexes are within the bounds of the vector.

Noncompliant Code Example (Pointers)

This noncompliant code example shows a function, insert_in_table(), that has two int parameters, pos and value, both of which can be influenced by data originating from untrusted sources. The function performs a range check to ensure that pos does not exceed the upper bound of the array, specified by tableSize, but fails to check the lower bound. Because pos is declared as a (signed) int, this parameter can assume a negative value, resulting in a write outside the bounds of the memory referenced by table.

#include <cstddef>
 
void insert_in_table(int *table, std::size_t tableSize, int pos, int value) {
  if (pos >= tableSize) {
    // Handle error
    return;
  }
  table[pos] = value;
}

Compliant Solution (size_t)

In this compliant solution, the parameter pos is declared as size_t, which prevents the passing of negative arguments.

#include <cstddef>
 
void insert_in_table(int *table, std::size_t tableSize, std::size_t pos, int value) {
  if (pos >= tableSize) {
    // Handle error
    return;
  }
  table[pos] = value;
}

Compliant Solution (Non-Type Templates)

Non-type templates can be used to define functions accepting an array type where the array bounds are deduced at compile time. This compliant solution is functionally equivalent to the previous bounds-checking one except that it additionally supports calling insert_in_table() with an array of known bounds.

#include <cstddef>
#include <new>

void insert_in_table(int *table, std::size_t tableSize, std::size_t pos, int value) { // #1
  if (pos >= tableSize) {
    // Handle error
    return;
  }
  table[pos] = value;
}

template <std::size_t N>
void insert_in_table(int (&table)[N], std::size_t pos, int value) { // #2
  insert_in_table(table, N, pos, value);
}
 
void f() {
  // Exposition only
  int table1[100];
  int *table2 = new int[100];
  insert_in_table(table1, 0, 0); // Calls #2
  insert_in_table(table2, 0, 0); // Error, no matching function call
  insert_in_table(table1, 100, 0, 0); // Calls #1
  insert_in_table(table2, 100, 0, 0); // Calls #1
  delete [] table2;
}

Noncompliant Code Example (std::vector)

In this noncompliant code example, a std::vector is used in place of a pointer and size pair. The function performs a range check to ensure that pos does not exceed the upper bound of the container. Because pos is declared as a (signed) long long, this parameter can assume a negative value. On systems where std::vector::size_type is ultimately implemented as an unsigned int (such as with Microsoft Visual Studio 2013), the usual arithmetic conversions applied for the comparison expression will convert the unsigned value to a signed value. If pos has a negative value, this comparison will not fail, resulting in a write outside the bounds of the std::vector object when the negative value is interpreted as a large unsigned value in the indexing operator.

#include <vector>
 
void insert_in_table(std::vector<int> &table, long long pos, int value) {
  if (pos >= table.size()) {
    // Handle error
    return;
  }
  table[pos] = value;
}

Compliant Solution (std::vector, size_t)

In this compliant solution, the parameter pos is declared as size_t, which ensures that the comparison expression will fail when a large, positive value (converted from a negative argument) is given.

#include <vector>
 
void insert_in_table(std::vector<int> &table, std::size_t pos, int value) {
  if (pos >= table.size()) {
    // Handle error
    return;
  }
  table[pos] = value;
}

Compliant Solution (std::vector::at())

In this compliant solution, access to the vector is accomplished with the at() method. This method provides bounds checking, throwing a std::out_of_range exception if pos is not a valid index value. The insert_in_table() function is declared with noexcept(false) in compliance with ERR55-CPP. Honor exception specifications.

#include <vector>
 
void insert_in_table(std::vector<int> &table, std::size_t pos, int value) noexcept(false) {
  table.at(pos) = value;
}

Noncompliant Code Example (Iterators)

In this noncompliant code example, the f_imp() function is given the (correct) ending iterator e for a container, and b is an iterator from the same container. However, it is possible that b is not within the valid range of its container. For instance, if the container were empty, b would equal e and be improperly dereferenced.

#include <iterator>
 
template <typename ForwardIterator>
void f_imp(ForwardIterator b, ForwardIterator e, int val, std::forward_iterator_tag) {
  do {
    *b++ = val;
  } while (b != e);
}

template <typename ForwardIterator>
void f(ForwardIterator b, ForwardIterator e, int val) {
  typename std::iterator_traits<ForwardIterator>::iterator_category cat;
  f_imp(b, e, val, cat);
}

Compliant Solution

This compliant solution tests for iterator validity before attempting to dereference b.

#include <iterator>
 
template <typename ForwardIterator>
void f_imp(ForwardIterator b, ForwardIterator e, int val, std::forward_iterator_tag) {
  while (b != e) {
    *b++ = val;
  }
}

template <typename ForwardIterator>
void f(ForwardIterator b, ForwardIterator e, int val) {
  typename std::iterator_traits<ForwardIterator>::iterator_category cat;
  f_imp(b, e, val, cat);
}

Risk Assessment

Using an invalid array or container index can result in an arbitrary memory overwrite or abnormal program termination.

Automated Detection

Tool	Version	Checker	Description
Astrée		overflow_upon_dereference
CodeSonar		LANG.MEM.BO LANG.MEM.BU LANG.MEM.TO LANG.MEM.TU LANG.MEM.TBA LANG.STRUCT.PBB LANG.STRUCT.PPE LANG.STRUCT.PARITH	Buffer overrun Buffer underrun Type overrun Type underrun Tainted buffer access Pointer before beginning of object Pointer past end of object Pointer Arithmetic
Helix QAC		C++3139, C++3140 DF2891
Klocwork		ABV.ANY_SIZE_ARRAY ABV.GENERAL ABV.GENERAL.MULTIDIMENSION ABV.STACK  ABV.TAINTED SV.TAINTED.ALLOC_SIZE SV.TAINTED.CALL.INDEX_ACCESS SV.TAINTED.CALL.LOOP_BOUND SV.TAINTED.INDEX_ACCESS
LDRA tool suite		45 D, 47 S, 476 S, 489 S, 64 X, 66 X, 68 X, 69 X, 70 X, 71 X, 79 X	Partially implemented
Parasoft C/C++test		CERT_CPP-CTR50-a	Guarantee that container indices are within the valid range
Polyspace Bug Finder		CERT C++: CTR50-CPP	Checks for: Array access out of bounds Array access with tainted index Pointer dereference with tainted offset Rule partially covered.
PVS-Studio		V781

Related Vulnerabilities

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

Related Guidelines

Bibliography