The code uses deprecated or obsolete functions, which suggests that the code has not been actively reviewed or maintained.
View on MITREAs programming languages evolve, functions occasionally become obsolete due to: Advances in the language Improved understanding of how operations should be performed effectively and securely Changes in the conventions that govern certain operations Functions that are removed are usually replaced by newer counterparts that perform the same task in some different and hopefully improved way.
Refer to the documentation for the obsolete function in order to determine why it is deprecated or obsolete and to learn about alternative ways to achieve the same functionality.
Consider seriously the security implications of using an obsolete function. Consider using alternate functions.
According to SOAR [REF-1479], the following detection techniques may be useful: Highly cost effective: Binary / Bytecode Quality Analysis Cost effective for partial coverage: Bytecode Weakness Analysis - including disassembler + source code weakness analysis
According to SOAR [REF-1479], the following detection techniques may be useful: Highly cost effective: Debugger
According to SOAR [REF-1479], the following detection techniques may be useful: Highly cost effective: Manual Source Code Review (not inspections) Cost effective for partial coverage: Focused Manual Spotcheck - Focused manual analysis of source
According to SOAR [REF-1479], the following detection techniques may be useful: Highly cost effective: Source Code Quality Analyzer Source code Weakness Analyzer Context-configured Source Code Weakness Analyzer
According to SOAR [REF-1479], the following detection techniques may be useful: Highly cost effective: Origin Analysis
According to SOAR [REF-1479], the following detection techniques may be useful: Highly cost effective: Formal Methods / Correct-By-Construction Inspection (IEEE 1028 standard) (can apply to requirements, design, source code, etc.)
In the following code, the programmer assumes that the system always has a property named "cmd" defined. If an attacker can control the program's environment so that "cmd" is not defined, the program throws a null pointer exception when it attempts to call the "Trim()" method.
The following code constructs a string object from an array of bytes and a value that specifies the top 8 bits of each 16-bit Unicode character.
In this example, the constructor may not correctly convert bytes to characters depending upon which charset is used to encode the string represented by nameBytes. Due to the evolution of the charsets used to encode strings, this constructor was deprecated and replaced by a constructor that accepts as one of its parameters the name of the charset used to encode the bytes for conversion.
No relationship information available for this CWE.
CWE-477: Use of Obsolete Function is a Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) entry maintained by MITRE. The code uses deprecated or obsolete functions, which suggests that the code has not been actively reviewed or maintained. As programming languages evolve, functions occasionally become obsolete due to: Advances in the language Improved understanding of how operations should be performed effectively and securely Changes in the conventions that govern certain operations Functions that are removed are usually replaced by newer counterparts that perform the same task in some different and hopefully improved way.
If exploited, CWE-477 (Use of Obsolete Function) it can compromise Other, leading to outcomes such as Quality Degradation.
Recommended mitigations for CWE-477 include: Refer to the documentation for the obsolete function in order to determine why it is deprecated or obsolete and to learn about alternative ways to achieve the same functionality. Consider seriously the security implications of using an obsolete function. Consider using alternate functions.
CWE-477 can be detected using Automated Static Analysis - Binary or Bytecode, Dynamic Analysis with Manual Results Interpretation, Manual Static Analysis - Source Code, Automated Static Analysis - Source Code, Automated Static Analysis and Architecture or Design Review. Combining automated tooling with manual review typically yields the best coverage.
CWE-477 commonly affects Not Language-Specific. Note that weaknesses are often language-agnostic patterns, so secure coding practices apply broadly.
A CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) like CWE-477 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.