CWE-683 Variant Draft

Function Call With Incorrect Order of Arguments

This vulnerability occurs when a program calls a function but supplies the arguments in the wrong order, which can cause unexpected behavior or security flaws.

Definition

What is CWE-683?

This vulnerability occurs when a program calls a function but supplies the arguments in the wrong order, which can cause unexpected behavior or security flaws.
This error happens when the sequence of values passed to a function doesn't match the order its parameters expect. For example, swapping a username and password argument could grant unintended access. While modern compilers for strongly-typed languages often catch these mistakes, they slip through more easily in languages with flexible function signatures. It's particularly common in functions that accept variable arguments, like C's `printf` format strings, or in dynamically-typed environments where type checking is minimal. Developers should rely on named parameters when available, use static analysis tools, and maintain clear documentation for function interfaces to prevent these subtle but dangerous bugs.
Real-world impact

Real-world CVEs caused by CWE-683

  • CVE-2006-7049

    Application calls functions with arguments in the wrong order, allowing attacker to bypass intended access restrictions.

How attackers exploit it

Step-by-step attacker path

  1. 1

    Identify a code path that handles untrusted input without validation.

  2. 2

    Craft a payload that exercises the unsafe behavior — injection, traversal, overflow, or logic abuse.

  3. 3

    Deliver the payload through a normal request and observe the application's reaction.

  4. 4

    Iterate until the response leaks data, executes attacker code, or escalates privileges.

Vulnerable code example

Vulnerable PHP

The following PHP method authenticates a user given a username/password combination but is called with the parameters in reverse order.

Vulnerable PHP 
function authenticate($username, $password) {
```
// authenticate user* 
  		...}
  
  authenticate($_POST['password'], $_POST['username']);
Secure code example

Secure pseudo

Secure pseudo 
// Validate, sanitize, or use a safe API before reaching the sink.
function handleRequest(input) {
  const safe = validateAndEscape(input);
  return executeWithGuards(safe);
}
What changed: the unsafe sink is replaced (or the input is validated/escaped) so the same payload no longer triggers the weakness.
Prevention checklist

How to prevent CWE-683

  • Implementation Use the function, procedure, or routine as specified.
  • Testing Because this function call often produces incorrect behavior it will usually be detected during testing or normal operation of the product. During testing exercise all possible control paths will typically expose this weakness except in rare cases when the incorrect function call accidentally produces the correct results or if the provided argument type is very similar to the expected argument type.
Detection signals

How to detect CWE-683

SAST High

Run static analysis (SAST) on the codebase looking for the unsafe pattern in the data flow.

DAST Moderate

Run dynamic application security testing against the live endpoint.

Runtime Moderate

Watch runtime logs for unusual exception traces, malformed input, or authorization bypass attempts.

Code review Moderate

Code review: flag any new code that handles input from this surface without using the validated framework helpers.

Plexicus auto-fix

Plexicus auto-detects CWE-683 and opens a fix PR in under 60 seconds.

Codex Remedium scans every commit, identifies this exact weakness, and ships a reviewer-ready pull request with the patch. No tickets. No hand-offs.

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Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

What is CWE-683?

This vulnerability occurs when a program calls a function but supplies the arguments in the wrong order, which can cause unexpected behavior or security flaws.

How serious is CWE-683?

MITRE has not published a likelihood-of-exploit rating for this weakness. Treat it as medium-impact until your threat model proves otherwise.

What languages or platforms are affected by CWE-683?

MITRE has not specified affected platforms for this CWE — it can apply across most application stacks.

How can I prevent CWE-683?

Use the function, procedure, or routine as specified. Because this function call often produces incorrect behavior it will usually be detected during testing or normal operation of the product. During testing exercise all possible control paths will typically expose this weakness except in rare cases when the incorrect function call accidentally produces the correct results or if the provided argument type is very similar to the expected argument type.

How does Plexicus detect and fix CWE-683?

Plexicus's SAST engine matches the data-flow signature for CWE-683 on every commit. When a match is found, our Codex Remedium agent opens a fix PR with the corrected code, tests, and a one-line summary for the reviewer.

Where can I learn more about CWE-683?

MITRE publishes the canonical definition at https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/683.html. You can also reference OWASP and NIST documentation for adjacent guidance.

Related weaknesses

Weaknesses related to CWE-683

CWE-628 Parent

Function Call with Incorrectly Specified Arguments

This weakness occurs when a function is called with arguments that are incorrectly specified, causing the function to behave in an…

CWE-685 Sibling

Function Call With Incorrect Number of Arguments

This weakness occurs when a program calls a function, method, or subroutine but provides the wrong number of arguments—either too many or…

CWE-686 Sibling

Function Call With Incorrect Argument Type

This vulnerability occurs when a program calls a function or method but passes an argument of the wrong data type, which can cause…

CWE-687 Sibling

Function Call With Incorrectly Specified Argument Value

This vulnerability occurs when a function is called with an argument that holds an incorrect or unexpected value, leading to unintended…

CWE-688 Sibling

Function Call With Incorrect Variable or Reference as Argument

This vulnerability occurs when a function is called with the wrong variable or reference passed as an argument. This simple coding mistake…

Resources

Further reading

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