Buffer Overflow

A buffer overflow is a type of vulnerability that occurs in software due to improper coding and handling of memory buffers. In computing, a buffer is a region of a physical memory storage used to temporarily store data while it is being moved from one place to another. When a program writes more data to a buffer than it can hold, the excess data spills over into adjacent memory spaces. This overrun can corrupt or overwrite the valid data stored there, including executable code.

Buffer overflows are critical because they can be exploited by attackers to execute arbitrary malicious code or commands within a system, potentially leading to unauthorized access or control of the system. Such vulnerabilities are often the result of insufficient input validation, such as failing to check the length of input against the buffer's capacity, leading to more data being placed into the buffer than it is intended to hold.

Exploiting a buffer overflow can allow attackers to alter the execution path of a program, execute code of their choice, or even crash the system. Because of their potential severity, preventing buffer overflows is a key concern in software development, typically addressed through secure coding practices, including proper memory management and input validation techniques.