CWE
CWE/SANS Top 25 Most Dangerous Software Errors Common Weakness Scoring System
Common Weakness Risk Analysis Framework
Home > CWE List > CWE- Individual Dictionary Definition (2.1)  

CWE-474: Use of Function with Inconsistent Implementations

 
Use of Function with Inconsistent Implementations
Weakness ID: 474 (Weakness Base)Status: Draft
+ Description

Description Summary

The code uses a function that has inconsistent implementations across operating systems and versions, which might cause security-relevant portability problems.
+ Time of Introduction
  • Architecture and Design
  • Implementation
+ Applicable Platforms

Languages

C: (Often)

PHP: (Often)

All

+ Common Consequences
ScopeEffect
Other

Technical Impact: Quality degradation; Varies by context

+ Potential Mitigations

Do not accept inconsistent behavior from the API specifications when the deviant behavior increase the risk level.

+ Other Notes

The behavior of functions in this category varies by operating system, and at times, even by operating system version. Implementation differences can include:

  1. Slight differences in the way parameters are interpreted leading to inconsistent results.

  2. Some implementations of the function carry significant security risks.

  3. The function might not be defined on all platforms.

+ Relationships
NatureTypeIDNameView(s) this relationship pertains toView(s)
ChildOfWeakness ClassWeakness Class398Indicator of Poor Code Quality
Development Concepts (primary)699
Seven Pernicious Kingdoms (primary)700
Research Concepts (primary)1000
ParentOfWeakness VariantWeakness Variant589Call to Non-ubiquitous API
Research Concepts (primary)1000
+ Taxonomy Mappings
Mapped Taxonomy NameNode IDFitMapped Node Name
7 Pernicious KingdomsInconsistent Implementations
+ Content History
Submissions
Submission DateSubmitterOrganizationSource
7 Pernicious KingdomsExternally Mined
Modifications
Modification DateModifierOrganizationSource
2008-07-01Eric DalciCigitalExternal
updated Potential_Mitigations, Time_of_Introduction
2008-09-08CWE Content TeamMITREInternal
updated Applicable_Platforms, Relationships, Other_Notes, Taxonomy_Mappings
2011-06-01CWE Content TeamMITREInternal
updated Common_Consequences, Other_Notes
2011-06-27CWE Content TeamMITREInternal
updated Common_Consequences
Previous Entry Names
Change DatePrevious Entry Name
2008-04-11Inconsistent Implementations
Page Last Updated: September 12, 2011