This project is a learning-focused C++ repository that prioritizes educational value and code safety. We maintain security best practices while ensuring examples remain accessible to learners.

• Code Safety: Preventing undefined behavior and memory issues
• Input Validation: Safe handling of user input in examples
• Educational Security: Teaching secure coding practices
• Responsible Disclosure: Proper handling of security concerns

If you discover a security vulnerability in this project, please report it responsibly:

1. DO NOT create a public GitHub issue for security vulnerabilities
2. DO email security concerns to: [[email protected]]
3. DO include detailed information about the vulnerability
4. DO allow time for investigation and response

• Description: Clear explanation of the security issue
• Location: Specific file(s) and line numbers affected
• Impact: How the vulnerability could be exploited
• Reproduction: Steps to reproduce the issue
• Suggested Fix: If you have a solution in mind
• Educational Context: How this affects learning objectives

• Initial Response: Within 48 hours
• Investigation: 1-2 weeks for thorough analysis
• Fix Implementation: 1-4 weeks depending on complexity
• Public Disclosure: After fix is implemented and tested

• Buffer overflows in examples
• Use-after-free scenarios
• Memory leaks that could be exploited
• Uninitialized variable usage

• Unsafe string handling
• Integer overflow vulnerabilities
• Format string vulnerabilities
• Path traversal in file operations

• Examples that teach unsafe practices
• Code that could be misused maliciously
• Missing bounds checking in educational examples

• Potential undefined behavior
• Unsafe type conversions
• Missing error handling
• Inconsistent exception safety

• Missing security warnings in comments
• Incomplete error handling documentation
• Lack of input validation guidance

• Code style that could lead to security issues
• Missing const correctness
• Inconsistent error handling patterns

// ✅ Good: RAII and smart pointers
auto data = std::make_unique<std::vector<int>>();
std::vector<std::string> safe_strings;

// ✅ Good: Bounds checking
if (index < container.size()) {
    auto value = container[index];
}

// ✅ Good: Validate input before use
std::string process_input(const std::string& input) {
    if (input.empty() || input.length() > MAX_LENGTH) {
        throw std::invalid_argument("Invalid input");
    }
    return input;
}

// ✅ Good: Exception-safe operations
class SafeContainer {
public:
    void add_item(const std::string& item) {
        auto new_items = items;  // Copy first
        new_items.push_back(item);  // Modify copy
        items = std::move(new_items);  // Commit if successful
    }
private:
    std::vector<std::string> items;
};

// ❌ Avoid: Raw pointers without RAII
int* data = new int[100];
// ... use data ...
// Missing delete[] - memory leak!

// ❌ Avoid: No bounds checking
int value = array[index];  // Could be out of bounds

// ❌ Avoid: Unsafe string operations
char buffer[100];
strcpy(buffer, user_input);  // Potential buffer overflow

Chapter 5: Basic Language Features

• Safe initialization and declaration
• Proper scope management
• Exception handling basics

Chapter 6: Functions

• Parameter validation
• Return value safety
• Reference parameter safety

Chapter 7: Classes

• RAII principles
• Exception safety guarantees
• Resource management

Chapter 8: I/O Streams

• Input validation
• File operation safety
• Error handling in streams

Chapter 9: Containers and Strings

• Iterator safety
• Container bounds checking
• String manipulation safety

Chapter 10: Generic Algorithms

• Safe algorithm usage
• Iterator validation
• Lambda expression safety

// ✅ Good: Safe, educational example
#include <iostream>
#include <vector>
#include <stdexcept>

class SafeExample {
public:
    // Validate input in constructor
    SafeExample(const std::string& data) 
        : data_(validate_input(data)) {}
    
    // Safe access with bounds checking
    char get_char(size_t index) const {
        if (index >= data_.length()) {
            throw std::out_of_range("Index out of bounds");
        }
        return data_[index];
    }
    
private:
    std::string data_;
    
    // Input validation helper
    static std::string validate_input(const std::string& input) {
        if (input.empty()) {
            throw std::invalid_argument("Input cannot be empty");
        }
        if (input.length() > MAX_LENGTH) {
            throw std::invalid_argument("Input too long");
        }
        return input;
    }
    
    static constexpr size_t MAX_LENGTH = 1000;
};

# Test with security-focused flags
g++ -std=c++20 -Wall -Wextra -Werror -fsanitize=address,undefined main.cpp -o main

# Test with additional security checks
g++ -std=c++20 -Wall -Wextra -Werror -fstack-protector-strong main.cpp -o main

• AddressSanitizer: Detect memory errors
• UndefinedBehaviorSanitizer: Catch undefined behavior
• Valgrind: Memory leak detection
• Static Analysis: Use tools like clang-tidy

• Memory Safety: No memory leaks or undefined behavior
• Input Validation: All user input is validated
• Bounds Checking: Array/container access is bounds-checked
• Exception Safety: Proper exception handling
• Resource Management: RAII principles followed
• Error Handling: Graceful error handling throughout
• Documentation: Security considerations documented

• Code designed to exploit vulnerabilities
• Examples that could be used for attacks
• Code that demonstrates unsafe practices without warnings

• Raw pointer manipulation without RAII
• Unsafe string operations
• Unchecked array access
• Unsafe type conversions

• Examples that teach incorrect security practices
• Code that appears safe but has hidden vulnerabilities
• Missing security warnings in dangerous examples

1. Assessment: Evaluate the severity and impact
2. Fix Development: Create a secure solution
3. Testing: Thorough testing with security tools
4. Documentation: Update comments and README files
5. Educational Review: Ensure fix teaches good practices
6. Deployment: Apply fix and update examples

When security issues are fixed, we also:

• Update Comments: Explain why the fix is necessary
• Add Warnings: Highlight common security pitfalls
• Improve Examples: Show both wrong and right approaches
• Update Documentation: Include security considerations

• Be Respectful: Report issues constructively
• Be Specific: Provide detailed, actionable information
• Be Patient: Allow time for proper investigation
• Be Educational: Help others learn from the issue

When security issues are resolved:

• Document the Problem: Explain what went wrong
• Show the Fix: Demonstrate the correct approach
• Explain the Why: Help learners understand the reasoning
• Prevent Future Issues: Add checks to prevent similar problems

• Security Email: [[email protected]]
• Response Time: Within 48 hours
• Public Issues: Use GitHub issues for non-security concerns
• Community: Join discussions in GitHub discussions

• Project Maintainer: Primary security contact
• Community Moderators: Help with security discussions
• Contributors: Report issues through proper channels

Thank you for helping keep this learning project secure! 🛡️

"Security is not just about preventing attacks, but about teaching safe coding practices."

Your security reports help create a safer learning environment for all C++ developers.