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Failure to specify function prototypes results in a function being implicitly defined. Without a function prototype, the compiler must estimate the correct number of parameters supplied to a function. Calling a function with a different number of arguments then that function expects results in unintended program behavior.

Most compilers will issue a warning when a function is implicitly defined. Although, these warnings should be resolved before proceeding \[MSC00-C\], they will not prevent the program from compiling.

Non-Compliant Code Example

function(1, 2);
...
void function(int one, int two, int three){
  printf("args %d %d $d, one, two, three);
}

Solution: Use function prototypes at the top of .c file or in a .h file so that a compiler error will occur if an incorrect number of arguments are used.

Compliant Solution

void function(int one, int two, int three); //at top of file or in .h file
...
function(1,2) //compiler error

...

gcc 3.4.6 for example will not allow the non compliant code above however below are reports on how the missing parameter problem has caused vulnerabilities.

Examples of vulnerabilities with CVE entry number

CVE-2002-1236, CAN-2003-0422 - CGI crashes when called without any arguments

...

CAN-2002-0596 - GET reqeust with empty parameter leads to error message infoleak (path disclosure)

Risk Assesment

References

• http://cwe.mitre.org/
• http://cve.mitre.org/