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CWE-1079: Parent Class without Virtual Destructor Method

BaseIncomplete

A parent class contains one or more child classes, but the parent class does not have a virtual destructor method.

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Extended Description

This issue can prevent the product from running reliably due to undefined or unexpected behaviors. If the relevant code is reachable by an attacker, then this reliability problem might introduce a vulnerability.

Technical Details

Structure
Simple

Applicable To

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Platforms

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CWE-1079: Parent Class without Virtual Destructor Method?+

CWE-1079: Parent Class without Virtual Destructor Method is a Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) entry maintained by MITRE. A parent class contains one or more child classes, but the parent class does not have a virtual destructor method. This issue can prevent the product from running reliably due to undefined or unexpected behaviors. If the relevant code is reachable by an attacker, then this reliability problem might introduce a vulnerability.

What are the security consequences of Parent Class without Virtual Destructor Method?+

If exploited, CWE-1079 (Parent Class without Virtual Destructor Method) it can compromise Other, leading to outcomes such as Reduce Reliability.

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

A CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) like CWE-1079 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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