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Narrower arithmetic types can be cast to wider types without any effect on the magnitude of numeric values. However, whereas integer types represent exact values, floating-point types point types have limited precision. The C Standard,  66.3.1.4 paragraph 2 3 [ISO/IEC 9899:20112024], states

When a value of integer type is converted to a real standard floating type, if the value being converted can be represented exactly in the new type, it is unchanged. If the value being converted is in the range of values that can be represented but cannot be represented exactly, the result is either the nearest higher or nearest lower representable value, chosen in an implementation-defined manner. If the value being converted is outside the range of values that can be represented, the behavior is is undefined. Results of some implicit conversions may be represented in greater range and precision than that required by the new type (see 6.3.1.8 and 6.8.67.45). 

Conversion from integral types to floating-point types without sufficient precision can lead to loss of precision (loss of least significant bits). No runtime exception occurs despite the loss.

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Related Vulnerabilities

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

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Bibliography

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