CWE-681 Detail

CWE-681

Incorrect Conversion between Numeric Types
High
Draft
2008-04-11
00h00 +00:00
2025-04-03
00h00 +00:00
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Name: Incorrect Conversion between Numeric Types

When converting from one data type to another, such as long to integer, data can be omitted or translated in a way that produces unexpected values. If the resulting values are used in a sensitive context, then dangerous behaviors may occur.

General Informations

Modes Of Introduction

Implementation

Applicable Platforms

Language

Name: C (Undetermined)
Class: Not Language-Specific (Undetermined)

Common Consequences

Scope Impact Likelihood
Other
Integrity		Unexpected State, Quality Degradation

Note: The program could wind up using the wrong number and generate incorrect results. If the number is used to allocate resources or make a security decision, then this could introduce a vulnerability.

Observed Examples

References Description

CVE-2022-2639

Chain: integer coercion error (CWE-192) prevents a return value from indicating an error, leading to out-of-bounds write (CWE-787)

CVE-2021-43537

Chain: in a web browser, an unsigned 64-bit integer is forcibly cast to a 32-bit integer (CWE-681) and potentially leading to an integer overflow (CWE-190). If an integer overflow occurs, this can cause heap memory corruption (CWE-122)

CVE-2007-4268

Chain: integer signedness error (CWE-195) passes signed comparison, leading to heap overflow (CWE-122)

CVE-2007-4988

Chain: signed short width value in image processor is sign extended during conversion to unsigned int, which leads to integer overflow and heap-based buffer overflow.

CVE-2009-0231

Integer truncation of length value leads to heap-based buffer overflow.

CVE-2008-3282

Size of a particular type changes for 64-bit platforms, leading to an integer truncation in document processor causes incorrect index to be generated.

Potential Mitigations

Phases : Implementation
Avoid making conversion between numeric types. Always check for the allowed ranges.

Vulnerability Mapping Notes

Justification : This CWE entry is at the Base level of abstraction, which is a preferred level of abstraction for mapping to the root causes of vulnerabilities.
Comment : Carefully read both the name and description to ensure that this mapping is an appropriate fit. Do not try to 'force' a mapping to a lower-level Base/Variant simply to comply with this preferred level of abstraction.

References

REF-962

Automated Source Code Security Measure (ASCSM)
Object Management Group (OMG).
http://www.omg.org/spec/ASCSM/1.0/

Submission

Name Organization Date Date release Version
CWE Community 2008-04-11 +00:00 2008-04-11 +00:00 Draft 9

Modifications

Name Organization Date Comment
Sean Eidemiller Cigital 2008-07-01 +00:00 added/updated demonstrative examples
Eric Dalci Cigital 2008-07-01 +00:00 updated Potential_Mitigations, Time_of_Introduction
CWE Content Team MITRE 2008-09-08 +00:00 updated Relationships
CWE Content Team MITRE 2008-11-24 +00:00 updated Description, Relationships, Taxonomy_Mappings
CWE Content Team MITRE 2009-12-28 +00:00 updated Applicable_Platforms, Likelihood_of_Exploit, Potential_Mitigations
CWE Content Team MITRE 2010-02-16 +00:00 updated Relationships
CWE Content Team MITRE 2011-03-29 +00:00 updated Demonstrative_Examples
CWE Content Team MITRE 2011-06-01 +00:00 updated Common_Consequences, Relationships, Taxonomy_Mappings
CWE Content Team MITRE 2011-06-27 +00:00 updated Common_Consequences, Observed_Examples, Relationships
CWE Content Team MITRE 2011-09-13 +00:00 updated Relationships, Taxonomy_Mappings
CWE Content Team MITRE 2012-05-11 +00:00 updated Demonstrative_Examples, References, Relationships, Taxonomy_Mappings
CWE Content Team MITRE 2014-07-30 +00:00 updated Relationships, Taxonomy_Mappings
CWE Content Team MITRE 2017-11-08 +00:00 updated Likelihood_of_Exploit, Observed_Examples, Taxonomy_Mappings, Type
CWE Content Team MITRE 2019-01-03 +00:00 updated References, Relationships, Taxonomy_Mappings
CWE Content Team MITRE 2019-06-20 +00:00 updated Relationships, Type
CWE Content Team MITRE 2020-02-24 +00:00 updated Relationships
CWE Content Team MITRE 2020-08-20 +00:00 updated Relationships
CWE Content Team MITRE 2020-12-10 +00:00 updated Relationships
CWE Content Team MITRE 2021-03-15 +00:00 updated Relationships
CWE Content Team MITRE 2023-04-27 +00:00 updated Relationships
CWE Content Team MITRE 2023-06-29 +00:00 updated Mapping_Notes
CWE Content Team MITRE 2023-10-26 +00:00 updated Observed_Examples
CWE Content Team MITRE 2024-02-29 +00:00 updated Observed_Examples
CWE Content Team MITRE 2025-04-03 +00:00 updated Applicable_Platforms
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