EXP14-C. Beware of integer promotion when performing bitwise operations on integer types smaller than int

Integer types smaller than int are promoted when an operation is performed on them. If all values of the original type can be represented as an int, the value of the smaller type is converted to an int; otherwise, it is converted to an unsigned int (see INT02-C. Understand integer conversion rules). If the conversion is to a wider type, the original value is zero-extended for unsigned values or sign-extended for signed types. Consequently, bitwise operations on integer types smaller than int may have unexpected results.

Noncompliant Code Example

This noncompliant code example demonstrates how performing bitwise operations on integer types smaller than int may have unexpected results.

uint8_t port = 0x5a;
uint8_t result_8 = ( ~port ) >> 4;

In this example, a bitwise complement of port is first computed and then shifted 4 bits to the right. If both of these operations are performed on an 8-bit unsigned integer, then result_8 will have the value 0x0a. However, port is first promoted to a signed int, with the following results (on a typical architecture where type int is 32 bits wide):

Compliant Solution

In this compliant solution, the bitwise complement of port is converted back to 8 bits. Consequently, result_8 is assigned the expected value of 0x0aU.

uint8_t port = 0x5a;
uint8_t result_8 = (uint8_t) (~port) >> 4;

Risk Assessment

Bitwise operations on shorts and chars can produce incorrect data.

Automated Detection

Related Vulnerabilities

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

Related Guidelines