CWE-1086β€”Class with Excessive Number of Child Classes

PUBLISHEDweakness record
released 2019-01-03 Β· last modified 2025-12-11

Metadata

CWE ID:
CWE-1086
Abstraction:
Base
Structure:
Simple
Status:
Incomplete
Release Date:
2019-01-03
Latest Modification Date:
2025-12-11

Weakness Name

Class with Excessive Number of Child Classes

Description

A class contains an unnecessarily large number of children.

While the interpretation of "large number of children" may vary for each product or developer, CISQ recommends a default maximum of 10 child classes.

Common Consequences

Scope:
Other
Impact:
Reduce Maintainability, Increase Analytical Complexity
Notes:
This issue makes it more difficult to understand and maintain the software, which indirectly affects security by making it more difficult or time-consuming to find and/or fix vulnerabilities. It also might make it easier to introduce vulnerabilities.

Related Weaknesses