While trying to print an eight character long name, which of the following will introduce a security vulnerability ? printf ("%.8s",name); /* 1 / printf (name); / 2 / printf ("%s",name); / 3 / printf ("%8c", name); / 4 */

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  1. printf ("%.8s",name); AND printf (name);

  2. printf (name); AND printf ("%s",name);

  3. printf ("%s",name); AND printf ("%8c", name);

  4. printf (name);

Show answer
Correct Option: B

AI Explanation

To answer this question, we need to understand how the printf function works and how it handles formatting and printing strings.

Option A) printf ("%.8s",name); AND printf (name); The first printf statement uses the format specifier "%.8s" which limits the output to a maximum of 8 characters. This ensures that only the first 8 characters of the name are printed. The second printf statement does not have a format specifier, so it will print the entire string. This combination is safe and does not introduce a security vulnerability.

Option B) printf (name); AND printf ("%s",name); The first printf statement does not have a format specifier, so it will print the entire string. This can be a security vulnerability if the name contains a format string that can be exploited. The second printf statement uses the format specifier "%s" which is safe and will print the entire string. This combination introduces a security vulnerability because the first printf statement does not limit the output.

Option C) printf ("%s",name); AND printf ("%8c", name); Both printf statements in this option use safe format specifiers. The first printf statement ("%s") will print the entire string, and the second printf statement ("%8c") will print the first character of the name followed by 7 spaces. This combination is safe and does not introduce a security vulnerability.

Option D) printf (name); This option does not have a format specifier, so it will print the entire string. This can be a security vulnerability if the name contains a format string that can be exploited.

Based on the explanations above, option B is the correct answer. This combination of printf statements introduces a security vulnerability because the first printf statement does not limit the output.

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