CWE-1077: Floating Point Comparison with Incorrect Operator

VariantIncomplete

The code performs a comparison such as an equality test between two float (floating point) values, but it uses comparison operators that do not account for the possibility of loss of precision.

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Extended Description

Numeric calculation using floating point values can generate imprecise results because of rounding errors. As a result, two different calculations might generate numbers that are mathematically equal, but have slightly different bit representations that do not translate to the same mathematically-equal values. As a result, an equality test or other comparison might produce unexpected results.

Technical Details

Structure
Simple
Vulnerability Mapping
ALLOWED

Applicable To

Languages
Not Language-Specific
Platforms

Source-backed guidance

Additional facts reviewed against primary or authoritative security sources.

Detect Floating Point Comparison with Incorrect Operator with Automated Static Analysis

Documented detection approaches include Automated Static Analysis; recorded impacts include Reduce Reliability; related weaknesses include CWE-697. Use these source-defined anchors to turn CWE-1077 into implementation, review, and verification checks for the affected component.

CWE-1077: Floating Point Comparison with Incorrect OperatorMITRE CWE

Prevent CWE-1077 through an SSDF control plan

Use NIST SSDF practices to make prevention of CWE-1077, Floating Point Comparison with Incorrect Operator, an explicit development outcome. Translate the CWE definition into security requirements and design constraints, choose safer implementation patterns and toolchain checks, and define acceptance evidence before release. Feed every confirmed occurrence back into the requirements, design review, and coding rules so the same root cause is removed across the product rather than patched in one location.

NIST SP 800-218 Secure Software Development FrameworkNational Institute of Standards and Technology

Triage CWE-1077 against known exploitation evidence

Use CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog to test whether a vulnerability mapped to CWE-1077, Floating Point Comparison with Incorrect Operator, has evidence of exploitation in the wild. Confirm the CVE-to-CWE root-cause mapping independently before attaching the example, then capture the affected product, required action, and remediation deadline. A missing KEV match is not evidence that the weakness is unexploited, and a KEV entry must not be generalized to every occurrence of this CWE.

Known Exploited Vulnerabilities CatalogCybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency

Apply precise root-cause mapping to CWE-1077

Apply MITRE's full root-cause mapping guidance when using CWE-1077, Floating Point Comparison with Incorrect Operator. Separate weakness language from attacker prerequisites and technical impact, check the entry's abstraction and vulnerability-mapping notes, and prefer the most specific Base or Variant supported by the evidence. Record the rejected alternatives and require an independent review before the mapping is used for remediation trends or program metrics.

CVE to CWE Root Cause Mapping GuidanceMITRE CWE

Validate CWE-1077 with root-cause mapping checks

Apply MITRE's root-cause mapping quick tips to CWE-1077, Floating Point Comparison with Incorrect Operator. Confirm the finding describes the causal weakness rather than an impact or attack pattern, compare the abstraction and mapping notes with plausible alternatives, and have a second reviewer challenge the selection. Preserve the evidence and reasoning so recurring defects can be measured against one consistent identifier.

CVE to CWE Root Cause Mapping Quick TipsMITRE CWE

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CWE-1077: Floating Point Comparison with Incorrect Operator?+

CWE-1077: Floating Point Comparison with Incorrect Operator is a Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) entry maintained by MITRE. The code performs a comparison such as an equality test between two float (floating point) values, but it uses comparison operators that do not account for the possibility of loss of precision. Numeric calculation using floating point values can generate imprecise results because of rounding errors. As a result, two different calculations might generate numbers that are mathematically equal, but have slightly different bit representations that do not translate to the same mathematically-equal values. As a result, an equality test or other comparison might produce unexpected results.

What are the security consequences of Floating Point Comparison with Incorrect Operator?+

If exploited, CWE-1077 (Floating Point Comparison with Incorrect Operator) it can compromise Other, leading to outcomes such as Reduce Reliability.

Which programming languages are affected by Floating Point Comparison with Incorrect Operator?+

CWE-1077 commonly affects Not Language-Specific. Note that weaknesses are often language-agnostic patterns, so secure coding practices apply broadly.

What is the difference between a CWE and a CVE?+

A CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) like CWE-1077 describes a category of software weakness — the underlying flaw type. A CVE (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) identifies a specific, real-world vulnerability in a particular product. In short, a CWE is the kind of mistake, and a CVE is an instance of that mistake being found in software.

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