What is Function Call With Incorrect Order (CWE-683)?

TL;DR: Function Call With Incorrect Order of Arguments (CWE-683) is a vulnerability where function parameters are incorrectly ordered, leading to unexpected behavior or security issues. Fixing it involves ensuring that all function calls use the correct argument order.

What is Function Call With Incorrect Order of Arguments?

Function Call With Incorrect Order of Arguments (CWE-683) is a type of vulnerability that occurs when a developer mistakenly passes function parameters in the wrong order. As defined by the MITRE Corporation under CWE-683, and classified by the OWASP Foundation as not directly mapped to any specific category.

Quick Summary

Function Call With Incorrect Order of Arguments can lead to unexpected behavior or security vulnerabilities due to incorrect argument ordering. This issue is critical for maintaining application quality and security. Jump to: What is Function Call With Incorrect Order of Arguments? · Overview · How It Works · Business Impact · Attack Scenario · Detection · Fixing · Framework-Specific Fixes · Ask AI · Best Practices Checklist · FAQ · Related Vulnerabilities

Jump to: Quick Summary · Function Call With Incorrect Order of Arguments Overview · How Function Call With Incorrect Order of Arguments Works · Business Impact of Function Call With Incorrect Order of Arguments · Function Call With Incorrect Order of Arguments Attack Scenario · How to Detect Function Call With Incorrect Order of Arguments · How to Fix Function Call With Incorrect Order of Arguments · Framework-Specific Fixes for Function Call With Incorrect Order of Arguments · How to Ask AI to Check Your Code for Function Call With Incorrect Order of Arguments · Function Call With Incorrect Order of Arguments Best Practices Checklist · Function Call With Incorrect Order of Arguments FAQ · Vulnerabilities Related to Function Call With Incorrect Order of Arguments · References · Scan Your Own Site

Function Call With Incorrect Order of Arguments Overview

What: When a function call’s arguments are passed in the wrong sequence.

Why it matters: Incorrect argument order can lead to unexpected behavior, security vulnerabilities, and quality degradation.

Where it occurs: In any programming language where functions rely on specific argument ordering.

Who is affected: Developers who make mistakes in function calls or do not follow documentation guidelines strictly.

Who is NOT affected: Applications that ensure correct argument ordering through rigorous testing and code reviews.

How Function Call With Incorrect Order of Arguments Works

Root Cause

The root cause lies in the developer’s mistake of passing arguments out of sequence when calling a function, leading to incorrect behavior or security issues.

Attack Flow

1. Developer calls a function with incorrect order of arguments.
2. The function processes parameters incorrectly due to misalignment.
3. Unexpected results occur, potentially causing vulnerabilities.

Prerequisites to Exploit

• A function call must have parameters passed in the wrong sequence.
• The application relies on correct argument ordering for security or functionality.

Vulnerable Code

def process_data(data, config):
    # Process data with configuration settings
    
process_data(config, data)  # Incorrect order of arguments

The above code demonstrates a function call where data and config are passed in the wrong sequence. This can lead to incorrect processing or security vulnerabilities.

Secure Code

def process_data(data, config):
    # Process data with configuration settings
    
process_data(data, config)  # Correct order of arguments

Ensuring that function calls adhere to the correct argument ordering prevents unexpected behavior and potential security issues.

Business Impact of Function Call With Incorrect Order of Arguments

Quality Degradation: Incorrect parameter ordering can lead to inconsistent application behavior or crashes.

• Unexpected application failures due to incorrect processing.
• Increased maintenance costs for debugging and fixing errors.

Function Call With Incorrect Order of Arguments Attack Scenario

1. Developer mistakenly calls a function with arguments out of order.
2. The function processes parameters incorrectly, leading to unexpected results.
3. Security vulnerabilities arise from the misalignment of arguments.

How to Detect Function Call With Incorrect Order of Arguments

Manual Testing

• Review all function calls for correct argument ordering.
• Ensure that each call matches the expected sequence as documented.

Automated Scanners (SAST / DAST)

Static analysis tools can identify incorrect argument order during compilation. Dynamic testing may also reveal issues in runtime scenarios.

PenScan Detection

PenScan’s scanner engines such as ZAP and Wapiti can detect function calls with incorrect argument ordering.

False Positive Guidance

A false positive occurs when a function call appears to have incorrect arguments but is actually correct due to context or advanced usage patterns.

How to Fix Function Call With Incorrect Order of Arguments

• Ensure all function calls adhere to the specified parameter order.
• Use static code analysis tools to verify argument ordering during development.
• Implement unit tests that check for correct function call sequences.

Framework-Specific Fixes for Function Call With Incorrect Order of Arguments

Python/Django

def process_data(data, config):
    # Process data with configuration settings
    
process_data(data, config)  # Correct order of arguments

Ensure all function calls follow the documented parameter sequence to prevent incorrect behavior.

How to Ask AI to Check Your Code for Function Call With Incorrect Order of Arguments

Function Call With Incorrect Order of Arguments Best Practices Checklist

✅ Ensure all function calls use the specified parameter order. ✅ Use static analysis tools to verify correct argument sequences. ✅ Implement unit tests that check for proper function call sequences.

Function Call With Incorrect Order of Arguments FAQ

How does a function call with incorrect argument order occur?

A developer mistakenly passes arguments in the wrong sequence when calling a function, leading to unexpected behavior or vulnerabilities.

What are the consequences of Function Call With Incorrect Order of Arguments?

It can lead to quality degradation and potential security issues if sensitive operations rely on correct argument ordering.

How do I detect this vulnerability in my code?

Review function calls for incorrect argument order, or use static analysis tools that identify such errors during compilation.

Can you provide an example of vulnerable code?

Vulnerable code might call a function with arguments out of sequence, causing unintended side effects or security risks.

How can I fix Function Call With Incorrect Order of Arguments in my application?

Ensure that all function calls use the correct argument order as specified by the documentation and test thoroughly for correctness.

What are some best practices to prevent this issue?

Use static code analysis tools, write unit tests, and follow coding standards strictly to avoid incorrect argument ordering.

How can I ask an AI assistant to check my code for Function Call With Incorrect Order of Arguments?

Provide the AI with your code snippet and request a review focusing on correct function call arguments.

Vulnerabilities Related to Function Call With Incorrect Order of Arguments

References

• MITRE
• NVD

Scan Your Own Site

Manual code review catches what you know to look for. An automated scan catches what you didn’t. Scan your own website using PenScan to find Function Call With Incorrect Order of Arguments and other risks before an attacker does.