Rust’s Rise in Embedded Systems: Why Hybrid Code Needs Advanced Analysis

 Where is Rust Adoption increasing? 

• Rust has already been adopted by GAFAM for server side applications 
• Rust adoption in embedded and commercial projects is increasing, with a 28% increase in two years. 
• The majority of Rust projects integrate existing C and C++ code, creating opportunities for hybrid codebases and new challenges for code analysis. 

Rust Is Taking Over Embedded Systems 

Rust is rapidly gaining traction across industries, becoming a go-to choice for embedded systems. When looking at programming language rankings, Rust adoption in embedded systems has increased by 15% in a single year and by 28% over two years in commercial projects. It is now among the top 10 fastest-growing programming languages. 

Tech giants like Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, Google, and Meta have adopted Rust for server-side applications. Additionally, Rust is now used for OS and kernel development at Microsoft, Amazon, and Google. Embedded microcontroller (MCU) vendors, such as Espressif, officially support Rust in their toolchains, while Nordic Semiconductor and STM32 have strong Rust communities. The automotive industry has taken notice and it is moving fast. Ferrous Systems (since October 2023) and Hightech-RT (since April 2024) offer ISO 26262-certified Rust compilers for automotive applications. The Safety-Critical Rust Consortium was announced on June 2024.  Volvo’s XC90 and Polestar 3 use Rust-based ECU software (January 2025).  

Rust is also making waves in cybersecurity. Crypto wallet companies like Ledger promote Rust for app development in cold wallets, and robotics firms, including Matic Robot, are leveraging Rust for their embedded software stacks. The Rust community is even pushing into safety-critical environments, demonstrating the language’s growing influence. 

The Reality: Most Rust Projects Are Hybrid 

Despite Rust’s safety advantages, real-world projects rarely start from scratch. Many Rust-based systems integrate significant amounts of existing C and C++ code. Rust’s Foreign Function Interface (FFI) enables seamless interaction with C-based libraries, but this also introduces potential vulnerabilities. Memory safety issues, undefined behavior, and subtle integration flaws can still occur in these mixed-language codebases. 

For companies developing embedded and safety-critical software, these hybrid environments pose a major challenge: How can they ensure the same level of reliability across Rust, C, and C++ components? 

Rust is Safer, But Not Perfect 

While Rust eliminates entire classes of memory safety vulnerabilities, it isn’t immune to issues. Even safe Rust can trigger unexpected behavior such as panic!, which can be catastrophic in safety-critical environments like automotive ECUs. Additionally, unsafe Rust—often required for low-level operations—brings back many of the risks associated with C and C++. 

Hybrid Rust/C/C++ systems, therefore, require thorough code review and rigorous security validation. A hybrid code analysis tool like TrustInSoft Analyzer is essential for identifying and eliminating hidden defects, ensuring that embedded systems remain both safe and resilient. 

Exhaustive Analysis for Hybrid Rust/C++ Code 

TrustInSoft is actively working on memory safety solutions for Rust and is part of the Safety-Critical Rust Consortium alongside Ferrous Systems.  

Our exhaustive analysis technology allows developers to already detect memory safety issues across C/C++ codebases.  

TrustInSoft offers Rust Code Analysis Services to provide organizations with enhanced memory safety solutions.

The Future of Rust in Embedded Systems 

The rapid rise of Rust in embedded and safety-critical industries proves its value. However, the presence of legacy C and C++ code in hybrid systems means that traditional challenges remain. Organizations need advanced cybersecurity and hybrid code analysis tools to bridge the gap and ensure reliability. 

Is your Rust/C/C++ hybrid code truly safe? Contact TrustInSoft today to explore how our exhaustive analysis solutions can protect your embedded systems from hidden vulnerabilities.