1102
CWE-460: Improper Cleanup on Thrown Exception
Weakness ID : 460
Structure : Simple
Abstraction : Base
Description
The product does not clean up its state or incorrectly cleans up its state when an exception is
thrown, leading to unexpected state or control flow.
Extended Description
Often, when functions or loops become complicated, some level of resource cleanup is needed
throughout execution. Exceptions can disturb the flow of the code and prevent the necessary
cleanup from happening.
Relationships
The table(s) below shows the weaknesses and high level categories that are related to this
weakness. These relationships are defined as ChildOf, ParentOf, MemberOr and give insight to
similar items that may exist at higher and lower levels of abstraction. In addition, relationships such
as PeerOf and CanAlsoBe are defined to show similar weaknesses that may want to be explored.
Relevant to the view "Research Concepts" (CWE-1000)
Nature Type ID Name Page
ChildOf 755 Improper Handling of Exceptional Conditions 1576
ChildOf 459 Incomplete Cleanup 1099
Relevant to the view "Architectural Concepts" (CWE-1008)
Nature Type ID Name Page
MemberOf 1012 Cross Cutting 2427
Applicable Platforms
Language : C (Prevalence = Undetermined)
Language : C++ (Prevalence = Undetermined)
Language : Java (Prevalence = Undetermined)
Language : C# (Prevalence = Undetermined)
Likelihood Of Exploit
Medium
Common Consequences
Scope Impact Likelihood
Other Varies by Context
The code could be left in a bad state.
Detection Methods
Automated Static Analysis
Automated static analysis, commonly referred to as Static Application Security Testing (SAST),
can find some instances of this weakness by analyzing source code (or binary/compiled code)
without having to execute it. Typically, this is done by building a model of data flow and control
flow, then searching for potentially-vulnerable patterns that connect "sources" (origins of input)
with "sinks" (destinations where the data interacts with external components, a lower layer such
as the OS, etc.)
Effectiveness = High
Potential Mitigations
CWE Version 4.14
CWE-460: Improper Cleanup on Thrown Exception
CWE-460: Improper Cleanup on Thrown Exception