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CWE-252 - Unchecked Return Value

CWE-252 Low

  • Abstraction:
  • Base
  • Structure:
  • Simple
  • Status:
  • Draft
Weakness Name

Unchecked Return Value

Description

The product does not check the return value from a method or function, which can prevent it from detecting unexpected states and conditions.

Two common programmer assumptions are "this function call can never fail" and "it doesn't matter if this function call fails". If an attacker can force the function to fail or otherwise return a value that is not expected, then the subsequent program logic could lead to a vulnerability, because the product is not in a state that the programmer assumes. For example, if the program calls a function to drop privileges but does not check the return code to ensure that privileges were successfully dropped, then the program will continue to operate with the higher privileges.

Common Consequences

Scope: Availability, Integrity

Impact: Unexpected State, DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart

Notes: An unexpected return value could place the system in a state that could lead to a crash or other unintended behaviors.

Related Weaknesses
  • Release Date:
  • 2006-07-19
  • Latest Modification Date:
  • 2023-10-26

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