The C Standard identifies the following condition under which division and remainder operations result in undefined behavior (UB):

Ensure that division and remainder operations do not result in divide-by-zero errors.

Division

The result of the / operator is the quotient from the division of the first arithmetic operand by the second arithmetic operand. Division operations are susceptible to divide-by-zero errors. Overflow can also occur during two's complement signed integer division when the dividend is equal to the minimum (most negative) value for the signed integer type and the divisor is equal to −1 (see INT32-C. Ensure that operations on signed integers do not result in overflow).

Noncompliant Code Example

This noncompliant code example prevents signed integer overflow in compliance with INT32-C. Ensure that operations on signed integers do not result in overflow but fails to prevent a divide-by-zero error during the division of the signed operands s_a and s_b:


#include <limits.h>
 
void func(signed long s_a, signed long s_b) {
  signed long result;
  if ((s_a == LONG_MIN) && (s_b == -1)) {
    /* Handle error */
  } else {
    result = s_a / s_b;
  }
  /* ... */
}

Compliant Solution

This compliant solution tests the division operation to guarantee there is no possibility of divide-by-zero errors or signed overflow:

#include <limits.h>
 
void func(signed long s_a, signed long s_b) {
  signed long result;
  if ((s_b == 0) || ((s_a == LONG_MIN) && (s_b == -1))) {
    /* Handle error */
  } else {
    result = s_a / s_b;
  }
  /* ... */
}

Remainder

The remainder operator provides the remainder when two operands of integer type are divided. 

Noncompliant Code Example

This noncompliant code example prevents signed integer overflow in compliance with INT32-C. Ensure that operations on signed integers do not result in overflow but fails to prevent a divide-by-zero error during the remainder operation on the signed operands s_a and s_b:

#include <limits.h>
 
void func(signed long s_a, signed long s_b) {
  signed long result;
  if ((s_a == LONG_MIN) && (s_b == -1)) {
    /* Handle error */
  } else {
    result = s_a % s_b;
  }
  /* ... */
}

Compliant Solution

This compliant solution tests the remainder operand to guarantee there is no possibility of a divide-by-zero error or an overflow error:

#include <limits.h>
 
void func(signed long s_a, signed long s_b) {
  signed long result;
  if ((s_b == 0 ) || ((s_a == LONG_MIN) && (s_b == -1))) {
    /* Handle error */
  } else {
    result = s_a % s_b;
  }
  /* ... */
}

Risk Assessment

A divide-by-zero error can result in abnormal program termination and denial of service.

Automated Detection

Related Vulnerabilities

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

Related Guidelines

Bibliography