CWE-1109

Base Abstraction Level
Pillar — Highest-level weakness category
Class — Abstract, language-independent
Base — Specific enough to detect
Variant — Tied to specific technology
Compound — Requires multiple weaknesses Incomplete MITRE CWE Status
Stable — Fully reviewed and complete
Draft — Under development, may change
Incomplete — Partially defined by MITRE
Deprecated — No longer recommended
Obsolete — Replaced by another CWE
Use of Same Variable for Multiple Purposes

Description

The code contains a callable, block, or other code element in which the same variable is used to control more than one unique task or store more than one instance of data.

Consequences

Other — Reduce Maintainability

This issue makes it more difficult to maintain the product, which indirectly affects security by making it more difficult or time-consuming to find and/or fix vulnerabilities. It also might make it easier to introduce vulnerabilities.

Other — Increase Analytical Complexity

Use of the same variable for multiple purposes can make it more difficult for a person to read or understand the code, potentially hiding other quality issues.