Secure Coding Using C and C++
1. Course Overview
The Secure Coding Using C and C++ course equips
software developers and IT professionals with the knowledge and practical
skills needed to write robust, secure, and maintainable code.
C and C++ are widely
used in system-level programming, embedded systems, and high-performance
applications, making security-critical coding practices essential to prevent
vulnerabilities like buffer overflows, memory leaks, and improper input
validation.
By completing this
course, learners will be able to design and implement secure software, identify
and mitigate common security risks, and adopt coding standards aligned with
industry best practices.
2. Target Audience
Software developers
working in C/C++
Embedded systems
engineers
Security analysts
and application testers
IT professionals
seeking secure software development skills
Students preparing
for secure coding or application security certifications
3. Learning Outcomes
By the end of the
program, learners will be able to:
✔ Understand secure coding principles in C and C++
✔ Prevent and mitigate common software
vulnerabilities (buffer overflows, memory leaks, race conditions, etc.)
✔ Implement secure memory management
✔ Use safe APIs and coding practices
✔ Conduct static and dynamic code analysis
✔ Apply threat modeling to C/C++ applications
✔ Follow industry coding standards such as SEI CERT
C and C++ guidelines
4. Course Duration & Format
Duration: 6–8 weeks
Hours: 40–60 hours
Format: Lectures, practical labs, code reviews,
projects
Assessment: Module quizzes, lab assignments,
final secure coding project
5. Course Modules & Syllabus
Module 1: Introduction to Secure Coding
Topics:
Importance of secure
coding
Common software
vulnerabilities in C/C++
Secure coding
standards (CERT C, CERT C++)
Threat modeling
basics
Labs:
Analyze sample
vulnerable code
Module 2: Memory Management and Buffer Security
Topics:
Stack vs heap
allocation
Buffer overflows and
underflows
Integer overflows
Safe memory
allocation and deallocation
Use of modern
memory-safe functions
Labs:
Identify buffer
overflow in sample programs
Implement secure
alternatives (e.g., strncpy, snprintf)
Module 3: Input Validation and Data Sanitization
Topics:
Validating user
input
Preventing injection
attacks (command, format string, SQL)
Using safe parsing
techniques
Labs:
Implement input
validation in console and file-based programs
Module 4: Secure File and Resource Management
Topics:
Secure handling of
files and I/O
File permission
management
Preventing race
conditions and TOCTOU vulnerabilities
Safe use of pointers
and references
Labs:
Implement file
read/write with proper error checking and permissions
Module 5: Error Handling and Exception Safety
Topics:
Proper use of
exceptions in C++
Avoiding information
leakage via error messages
Defensive
programming techniques
Logging best
practices
Labs:
Convert unsafe error
handling code to exception-safe code
Module 6: Secure C++ Programming
Topics:
RAII (Resource
Acquisition Is Initialization) for resource management
Smart pointers
(unique_ptr, shared_ptr)
Avoiding unsafe
casts and type errors
Safe use of STL
containers
Labs:
Replace raw pointers
with smart pointers in sample programs
Implement
container-based secure solutions
Module 7: Concurrency and Multithreading Security
Topics:
Thread safety
Race conditions and
deadlocks
Using mutexes and
locks properly
Secure concurrent
data structures
Labs:
Identify and fix
race conditions in multithreaded programs
Module 8: Cryptography and Secure Communication
Topics:
Secure storage of
sensitive data
Using cryptographic
APIs safely
Avoiding common
cryptography mistakes in C/C++
TLS/SSL basics
Labs:
Implement simple
encryption/decryption using C/C++ libraries
Securely store and
retrieve passwords
Module 9: Static and Dynamic Code Analysis
Topics:
Introduction to
static analysis tools (Cppcheck, Clang Analyzer, SonarQube)
Dynamic analysis and
fuzz testing
Identifying memory
leaks and vulnerabilities
Labs:
Run static analysis
on sample programs
Perform dynamic
tests to find potential vulnerabilities
Module 10: Secure Software Development Lifecycle
Topics:
Integration of
secure coding into SDLC
Code review
processes and peer auditing
Continuous security
testing
Compliance with
industry standards
Labs:
Conduct a secure
code review for a small C/C++ project
6. Assessments
Module Quizzes: End-of-module knowledge checks
Lab Assignments: Hands-on secure coding
exercises
Mid-Term Assessment: Code analysis and
vulnerability mitigation exercises
Final Project: Develop a secure C/C++
application implementing all secure coding principles
7. Certification Requirements
Learners must:
✔ Complete all modules and labs
✔ Score at least 60% in quizzes and assessments
✔ Submit and defend the final secure coding project
8. Career Pathways
Graduates can pursue
roles such as:
Secure C/C++
Developer
Application Security
Engineer
Embedded Systems
Security Engineer
Software Quality
Assurance Specialist
IT Security Analyst
DevSecOps Engineer
