Secure Coding in C And C++

by Robert C. Seacord

"The security of information systems has not improved at a rate consistent with the growth and sophistication of the attacks being made against them. To address this problem, we must improve the underlying strategies and techniques used to create our systems. Specifically, we must build security in from the start, rather than append it as an afterthought. That's the point of Secure Coding in C and C++. In careful detail, this book shows software developers how to build high-quality systems that are less vulnerable to costly and even catastrophic attack. It's a book that every developer should read before the start of any serious project."
--Frank Abagnale, author, lecturer, and leading consultant on fraud prevention and secure documents Learn the Root Causes of Software Vulnerabilities and How to Avoid Them Commonly exploited software vulnerabilities are usually caused by avoidable software defects. Having analyzed nearly 18,000 vulnerability reports over the past ten years, the CERT/Coordination Center (CERT/CC) has determined that a relatively small number of root causes account for most of them. This book identifies and explains these causes and shows the steps that can be taken to prevent exploitation. Moreover, this book encourages programmers to adopt security best practices and develop a security mindset that can help protect software from tomorrow's attacks, not just today's. Drawing on the CERT/CC's reports and conclusions, Robert Seacord systematically identifies the program errors most likely to lead to security breaches, shows how they can be exploited, reviews the potential consequences, and presents secure alternatives. Coverage includes technical detail on how to Secure Coding in C and C++ presents hundreds of examples of secure code, insecure code, and exploits, implemented for Windows and Linux. If you're responsible for creating secure C or C++ software--or for keeping it safe--no other book offers you this much detailed, expert assistance.

Genres: Computer Science, Programming, Computers, Nonfiction, Software

341 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2005

About the author

Robert C. Seacord is an American computer security specialist and writer. He is the author of books on computer security, legacy system modernization, and component-based software engineering.

Reviews

[Chad]

I'm just over 10% in as of this writing, and I finally started getting to the part where it talks about secure coding techniques. Consequently, I'm not far enough into the book to comment on whether the actual core purpose of the book is well-presented and full of good advice. I can say that it's a little frustrating that the foregoing parts of the book have been the usual "this is why secure coding is important" and "these are examples of things that have blown up in the faces of the whole world" fluff expanded to take up ten percent of the book. I'm also slightly concerned that this author referred to Secure Coding: Principles and Practices in positive terms as if it is the best resource for secure software development process, given all the obsolete, broken, and generally ill-advised content in that book (see my review of Secure Coding: Principles And Practices for some details).

If the rest of the book presents good, practical advice for specific secure coding techniques, and stays away from bad advice about process-oriented ideas, it can still be worth four stars, though. I have high hopes, given the book's reputation and its author's pedigree. I'll try to remember to update this review later.

[Toto Parks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book to read about C and C++ programming. Explanation is detailed and covers many useful topics. Also good refresher’s book for someone with interest in C and/or C++ programming.

[Looben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anatomy of common vulnerabilities with C/C++ programs, accompany with informative system level detail and background

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think: an introduction to c through counterexamples