In a format string in a print function call, there should be the same number of parameters as there are format specifications. The SV.FMT_STR.PRINT_PARAMS_WRONGNUM.FEW checker flags the code if there are fewer parameters provided to the print function than specified in the format string.

Vulnerability and risk

When the syntax of the conversion specification is incorrect, the resulting behavior is undefined, and it may cause unexpected output.

Vulnerable code example

1  void foo(FILE* f, char* pc, int i, char c) {
2      fprintf(f, "%c %s", c);      // too few parameters
3      fprintf(f, "%p", pc);
4  }

Klocwork reports an error for line 2. Since there should be the same number of specifications and corresponding parameters in the format string, the function is expecting two parameters, one for the %c specification and one for the %s specification, and receives only one. Line 3 isn't flagged, since the format string has one specification and one corresponding parameter.

Fixed code example

1  void foo(FILE* f, char* pc, int i, char c) {
2      fprintf(f, "%c %s", c, pc);
3      fprintf(f, "%p", pc);
4  }

In the fixed code, line 2 has two specifications and two corresponding parameters.

Related checkers

External guidance

CWE-686: Function Call with Incorrect Argument Type