CWE-467 - Use of sizeof() on a Pointer Type

CWE ID:

CWE-467

High

Abstraction:Variant
Structure:Simple
Status:Draft

Release Date:2006-07-19
Latest Modification Date:2024-11-19

Weakness Name

Use of sizeof() on a Pointer Type

Description

The code calls sizeof() on a pointer type, which can be an incorrect calculation if the programmer intended to determine the size of the data that is being pointed to.

The use of sizeof() on a pointer can sometimes generate useful information. An obvious case is to find out the wordsize on a platform. More often than not, the appearance of sizeof(pointer) indicates a bug.

Common Consequences

Scope: Integrity, Confidentiality

Impact: Modify Memory, Read Memory

Notes: This error can often cause one to allocate a buffer that is much smaller than what is needed, leading to resultant weaknesses such as buffer overflows.