CWE-185

Incorrect Regular Expression

High

Description

The product specifies a regular expression in a way that causes data to be improperly matched or compared.

Potential Impact

How to Fix

Architecture and Design

Regular expressions can become error prone when defining a complex language even for those experienced in writing grammars. Determine if several smaller regular expressions simplify one large regular expression. Also, subject the regular expression to thorough testing techniques such as equivalence partitioning, boundary value analysis, and robustness. After testing and a reasonable confidence level is achieved, a regular expression may not be foolproof. If an exploit is allowed to slip through, then record the exploit and refactor the regular expression.

Detection Methods

Related Weaknesses

References

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