Commonly confused

TOCTOU vs Race condition

TOCTOU is a race where a check and a use disagree. Race condition is the broader concurrency hazard class.

TOCTOU

TOCTOU, or Time of Check Time of Use, is a software vulnerability that occurs when a program checks the state of a resource, like a file, and then uses that resource based on the check, but the resource's state changes between the check and the use. This race condition allows an.

TOCTOU is a race condition vulnerability where a resource state changes between a check and its use, leading to security risks.

Full PathTerms™ definition

Race condition

A race condition occurs when the outcome of a computation depends on the unpredictable timing or sequence of events, particularly when multiple threads or processes access shared data. This vulnerability arises because the system's behavior is not deterministic, leading to.

A race condition is a vulnerability where system outcomes depend on the unpredictable timing of operations on shared data.

Full PathTerms™ definition

Why it matters

People mix up TOCTOU and Race condition in exam questions and job posts. Knowing the difference helps you pick the right control, process, or architecture choice.

How to remember the difference

TOCTOU is a race where a check and a use disagree. Race condition is the broader concurrency hazard class.