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On Windows platforms, the BcryptGenRandomBCryptGenRandom() function can be used to generate cryptographically strong random numbers. The Microsoft Developer Network BCryptGenRandom() reference [MSDN] states:

The default random number provider implements an algorithm for generating random numbers that complies with the NIST SP800-90 standard, specifically the CTR_DRBG portion of that standard.

#include <Windows.h>
#include <bcrypt.h>
#include <stdio.h>

#pragma comment(lib, "Bcrypt")

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void func(void) {
  BCRYPT_ALG_HANDLE Prov;
  int Buffer;
  if (!BCRYPT_SUCCESS(
          BCryptOpenAlgorithmProvider(&Prov, BCRYPT_RNG_ALGORITHM,
                                      NULL, 0))) {
    /* handle error */
  }
  if (!BCRYPT_SUCCESS(BCryptGenRandom(Prov, (PUCHAR) (&Buffer),
                                      sizeof(Buffer), 0))) {
    /* handle error */
  }
  printf("Random number: %d\n", Buffer);
  BCryptCloseAlgorithmProvider(Prov, 0);
}

Risk Assessment

The use of the rand() function can result in predictable random numbers.

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Related Vulnerabilities

Search for vulnerabilities resulting from the violation of this rule on the CERT website.

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• Invocation of other dangerous functions, besides rand().

Bibliography

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