The Y2K38 Problem

// C/C++ - This will break in 2038!
#include <time.h>
#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
    time_t now = time(NULL);  // 32-bit on many systems!
    
    // This will overflow on January 19, 2038
    time_t future = 2147483647;  // Max 32-bit value
    time_t overflow = future + 1;  // Becomes negative!
    
    printf("Future: %ld\n", future);    // 2147483647
    printf("Overflow: %ld\n", overflow); // -2147483648 (1901!)
    
    return 0;
}

// MySQL - TIMESTAMP columns are vulnerable
CREATE TABLE events (
    id INT PRIMARY KEY,
    created_at TIMESTAMP DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP  -- Fails after 2038!
);

// JavaScript - Date constructor with seconds
var futureDate = new Date(2147483647 * 1000);  // Works
var overflowDate = new Date(2147483648 * 1000); // Undefined behavior

// C/C++ - Force 64-bit time_t
#define _TIME_BITS 64  // Force 64-bit time_t on glibc
#include <time.h>
#include <stdint.h>

int main() {
    // Explicitly use 64-bit types
    int64_t timestamp = time(NULL);
    
    // This can handle dates far beyond 2038
    int64_t year_3000 = 32503680000LL;  // January 1, 3000
    
    printf("Year 3000 timestamp: %lld\n", year_3000);
    
    return 0;
}

// MySQL - Use DATETIME or BIGINT
CREATE TABLE events (
    id INT PRIMARY KEY,
    created_at DATETIME DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP,  -- Safe until year 9999
    timestamp_ms BIGINT,  -- Store milliseconds since epoch
    INDEX idx_created (created_at)
);

// Python - Built-in 64-bit support
import datetime
import time

# Python handles large timestamps gracefully
future_timestamp = 2147483648  # Beyond 2038
future_date = datetime.datetime.fromtimestamp(future_timestamp)
print(f"Future date: {future_date}")  # Works fine

# Use datetime objects instead of raw timestamps
now = datetime.datetime.now(datetime.timezone.utc)
future = now + datetime.timedelta(days=365*50)  # 50 years from now

#!/bin/bash
# Y2K38 Vulnerability Scanner

echo "=== Y2K38 System Check ==="

# Check time_t size
echo "Checking time_t size..."
cat << 'EOF' > /tmp/timecheck.c
#include <time.h>
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
    printf("time_t size: %zu bytes (%zu bits)\n", 
           sizeof(time_t), sizeof(time_t) * 8);
    if (sizeof(time_t) < 8) {
        printf("❌ VULNERABLE: 32-bit time_t detected!\n");
        return 1;
    } else {
        printf("✅ SAFE: 64-bit time_t\n");
        return 0;
    }
}
EOF

gcc /tmp/timecheck.c -o /tmp/timecheck && /tmp/timecheck

# Check MySQL TIMESTAMP columns
echo -e "\nChecking MySQL for TIMESTAMP columns..."
mysql -e "
SELECT TABLE_SCHEMA, TABLE_NAME, COLUMN_NAME, DATA_TYPE 
FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS 
WHERE DATA_TYPE = 'timestamp' 
AND TABLE_SCHEMA NOT IN ('information_schema', 'mysql', 'performance_schema');" 2>/dev/null || echo "MySQL not available"

# Check for 32-bit binaries
echo -e "\nChecking for 32-bit binaries in /usr/bin..."
file /usr/bin/* 2>/dev/null | grep "32-bit" | head -5

echo -e "\n=== Recommendations ==="
echo "1. Upgrade to 64-bit systems and libraries"
echo "2. Replace TIMESTAMP with DATETIME in MySQL"
echo "3. Use explicit 64-bit types in C/C++ code"
echo "4. Test applications with dates beyond 2038"
echo "5. Plan embedded device replacement strategy"

// Database Migration Example (MySQL)

-- Step 1: Add new 64-bit column
ALTER TABLE events ADD COLUMN created_at_new DATETIME;

-- Step 2: Populate new column from old TIMESTAMP
UPDATE events 
SET created_at_new = FROM_UNIXTIME(UNIX_TIMESTAMP(created_at))
WHERE created_at_new IS NULL;

-- Step 3: Update application code to use new column
// Old code:
// SELECT * FROM events WHERE created_at > '2038-01-01'

// New code:
// SELECT * FROM events WHERE created_at_new > '2038-01-01'

-- Step 4: After testing, drop old column
-- ALTER TABLE events DROP COLUMN created_at;
-- ALTER TABLE events CHANGE created_at_new created_at DATETIME;

// Application Code Migration (C++)
class TimeHandler {
private:
    // Old: int32_t timestamp;
    int64_t timestamp;  // New: 64-bit timestamp
    
public:
    // Safe timestamp operations
    void setCurrentTime() {
        timestamp = std::chrono::duration_cast<std::chrono::seconds>(
            std::chrono::system_clock::now().time_since_epoch()
        ).count();
    }
    
    bool isAfter2038() {
        return timestamp > 2147483647LL;
    }
};