CWE-1120: Excessive Code Complexity
Learn about CWE-1120 (Excessive Code Complexity), its security impact, exploitation methods, and prevention guidelines.
What is Excessive Code Complexity?
• Overview: Excessive Code Complexity refers to code that is overly complicated, often measured quantitatively. This complexity makes the code harder to understand, maintain, and secure, which can indirectly introduce security vulnerabilities.
• Exploitation Methods:
- Attackers may exploit complex code by finding hidden vulnerabilities that are overlooked due to the difficulty in understanding the code.
- Common attack patterns include exploiting logic errors, race conditions, or hidden backdoors that might arise from convoluted code paths.
• Security Impact:
- Direct consequences include increased difficulty in identifying and patching vulnerabilities, leading to prolonged exposure.
- Potential cascading effects include performance degradation, which can be exploited further if the code is accessible to attackers.
- Business impact includes higher maintenance costs, increased risk of security breaches, and potential damage to brand reputation.
• Prevention Guidelines:
- Specific code-level fixes include simplifying complex functions, breaking down large code blocks into smaller, manageable pieces, and using clear, consistent naming conventions.
- Security best practices involve regular code reviews, adhering to coding standards, and ensuring thorough documentation.
- Recommended tools and frameworks include code complexity analysis tools like SonarQube, static analysis tools, and adopting development frameworks that enforce simplicity and clarity in code design.
Technical Details
Likelihood of Exploit: Not specified
Affected Languages: Not specified
Affected Technologies: Not specified