Page History

[JPL 06|AA. Java References#JPL 06]\]:

{quote}
The problem is that, while the shared object is immutable, the reference used to access the shared object is itself shared and often mutable. Consequently, a correctly synchronized program must synchronize access to that shared reference, but often programs do not do this, because programmers do not recognize the need to do it. 
{quote}

{mc} The String example might be good for the intro...if the long quote was not a good idea, perhaps a "For example, ..." line will help {mc}

References to both immutable and mutable objects must be made visible to all the threads. Immutable objects can be shared safely among multiple threads. However, mutable objects may not be fully constructed when their references are made visible.  [CON26-J. Do not publish partially initialized objects] describes object construction and visibility issues specific to mutable objects. 

h2. Noncompliant Code Example

This noncompliant code example consists of an immutable class {{Helper}}: 

{code}
// Immutable Helper
public final class Helper {
  private final int n;

  public Helper(int n) {
    this.n = n;
  }
  // ...
}
{code}

 class {{Foo}}:   

{code:bgColor=#FFCCCC}
final class Foo {
  private Helper helper;

  public Helper getHelper() {
    return helper;
  }

  public void setHelper(int num) {
    helper = new Helper(num);
  }
}
{code}

The {{

{mc} do not replace with "after initialization" {mc}. Furthermore, because {{Helper}} is immutable, it is always constructed properly before its reference is made visible, in compliance with [CON26-J. Do not publish partially initialized objects]. Unfortunately, a separate thread could observe a stale reference in the {{helper}} field of the {{Foo}} class.

h2. Compliant Solution (Synchronization)

This compliant solution synchronizes the methods of {{Foo}} class to ensure that no thread sees a stale {{Helper}} reference. 

{code:bgColor=#CCCCFF}
final class Foo {
  private Helper helper;

  public synchronized Helper getHelper() {
    return helper;
  }

  public synchronized void setHelper(int num) {
    helper = new Helper(num);
  }
}
{code}

 unchanged.

{mc} Sometimes I use the area before the risk assessment as a summary area for other CSs that can simply be mentioned to avoid redundancy, or CSs that are worth considering but have limitations which preclude us from recommending them. Basically general advice so that the implementer is not left wondering with a "what if I use ..." question. You deleted the line about making Helper immutable so where could such advice go? {mc}

h2. Risk Assessment

The assumption that classes containing immutable objects are immutable is misleading and can cause serious thread-safety issues.

|| Rule || Severity || Likelihood || Remediation Cost || Priority || Level ||
| CON28-J | low | probable | medium | {color:green}{*}P4{*}{color} | {color:green}{*}L2{*}{color} |

h3. Automated Detection

TODO

h3. Related Vulnerabilities

Any vulnerabilities resulting from the violation of this rule are listed on the [CERT website|https://www.kb.cert.org/vulnotes/bymetric?searchview&query=FIELD+KEYWORDS+contains+CON28-J].

h2. References

\[[API 06|AA. Java References#API 06]\] 
\[[JPL 06|AA. Java References#JPL 06]\] Section 14.10.2, "Final Fields and Security"



h2. Issue Tracking

{tasklist:Review List}
||Completed||Priority||Locked||CreatedDate||CompletedDate||Assignee||Name||
|F|M|F|1270826173609|          |dmohindr|"Unfortunately, a separate thread -could- *can* observe a stale reference in the helper field of the Foo class."|
|FT|M|F|1270826698362|          |dmohindr1271441478121|svoboda|"This compliant solution synchronizes the methods of *class* Foo -class- " (it sounds strange with class occuring after Foo)|
{tasklist}


----
[!The CERT Sun Microsystems Secure Coding Standard for Java^button_arrow_left.png!|CON08-J. Do not call alien methods that synchronize on the same objects as any callers in the execution chain]      [!The CERT Sun Microsystems Secure Coding Standard for Java^button_arrow_up.png!|11. Concurrency (CON)]      [!The CERT Sun Microsystems Secure Coding Standard for Java^button_arrow_right.png!|CON10-J. Do not override thread-safe methods with methods that are not thread-safe]