CWE-562
Return of Stack Variable Address
AI Translation Available
A function returns the address of a stack variable, which will cause unintended program behavior, typically in the form of a crash.
Status
draft
Abstraction
base
Affected Platforms
C
C++
Extended Description
AI Translation
Because local variables are allocated on the stack, when a program returns a pointer to a local variable, it is returning a stack address. A subsequent function call is likely to re-use this same stack address, thereby overwriting the value of the pointer, which no longer corresponds to the same variable since a function's stack frame is invalidated when it returns. At best this will cause the value of the pointer to change unexpectedly. In many cases it causes the program to crash the next time the pointer is dereferenced.
Technical Details
AI Translation
Common Consequences
availability
integrity
confidentiality
Impacts
read memory
modify memory
execute unauthorized code or commands
dos: crash, exit, or restart
Detection Methods
fuzzing
automated static analysis
automated dynamic analysis
Potential Mitigations
Phases:
testing
Descriptions:
•
Use static analysis tools to spot return of the address of a stack variable.
Functional Areas
memory management