The C Programming Language
Released in 1972, C remains the backbone of most modern software. It’s present in virtually every business, directly or indirectly through dependencies.
C delivers performance comparable to assembly while supporting structured, imperative programming with data types and abstractions. But with that power comes responsibility: like assembly, C requires careful attention to security at every step. It is often described as a “high-level assembly” flexible, but still close to the hardware.
Are There Security Limitations Innate to C?
No, C itself is not inherently insecure. Decades of use and a massive community have reinforced its ecosystem, particularly its standard libraries.
Even modern languages such as Rust continue to rely on C ABIs for core functionality. For example, Rust’s filesystem operations often delegate to C’s standard library under the hood:
pub fn link(original: &CStr, link: &CStr) -> io::Result<()> {
cfg_select! {
any(target_os = "vxworks", target_os = "redox", target_os = "android", target_os = "espidf", target_os = "horizon", target_os = "vita", target_env = "nto70") => {
cvt(unsafe { libc::link(original.as_ptr(), link.as_ptr()) })?;
}
_ => {
cvt(unsafe { libc::linkat(libc::AT_FDCWD, original.as_ptr(), libc::AT_FDCWD, link.as_ptr(), 0) })?;
}
}
Ok(())
}
Here, Rust’s standard library simply calls into libc. Source: Rust Github
Is C a Safe Language, Then?
No language is inherently “safe.” Some provide built-in protections that reduce the likelihood of common mistakes, but safety ultimately depends on the developer.
- Bad code is unsafe in any language.
- Well-written code can be safe, regardless of the language.
Where to Go From Here
Innovations like Rust’s memory protections are valuable, but the focus should remain on developer education and secure coding practices.
Simply rewriting legacy systems in “safer” languages won’t eliminate vulnerabilities. Developers may become over-reliant on language features and neglect security discipline. New languages will emerge, new flaws will appear, and the cycle will continue.
The real solution is to emphasize safe code, not just safe languages.