buffer overflow
Boundary-crossing data write
A buffer overflow is a programming error where data exceeds the memory space allocated for it, spilling into adjacent memory.
This can crash programs or create security vulnerabilities that attackers exploit to execute malicious code.
Buffer overflows have been responsible for many of computing's most notorious security breaches: The worm spread through a buffer overflow in the mail server.
Saved crash state
- stack traceSequence of nested calls
- access violationIllegal memory operation
- memory dumpFull extraction of system contents
- crash dumpSaved memory at failure
fuzzing · breakpoint · disassembly · reverse engineering · reproducibility · test case · triage
Carried freight or charge
- code injectionInserting malicious commands into programs
- privilege escalationGaining unauthorized higher permissions
- return addressMailer's printed coordinates
- zero-dayUnpatched security vulnerability
proof of concept · weaponization · drive-by download · exploitation
Spread throughout uncontrollably
- off-by-oneIndex boundary mistake
- dangling pointerInvalid memory address holder
- out-of-boundsBeyond permitted boundaries
Isolating untrusted code
- security patchUpdate addressing software vulnerabilities
- RustMemory-safe systems language
- penetration testingAuthorized security vulnerability assessment
core dump
Saved crash state
- stack traceSequence of nested calls
- access violationIllegal memory operation
- memory dumpFull extraction of system contents
crash dump · fuzzing · breakpoint · disassembly · reverse engineering · reproducibility · test case · triage
payload
Carried freight or charge
- code injectionInserting malicious commands into programs
- privilege escalationGaining unauthorized higher permissions
- return addressMailer's printed coordinates
zero-day · proof of concept · weaponization · drive-by download · exploitation
overrun
Spread throughout uncontrollably
- off-by-oneIndex boundary mistake
- dangling pointerInvalid memory address holder
- out-of-boundsBeyond permitted boundaries
sandboxing
Isolating untrusted code
- security patchUpdate addressing software vulnerabilities
- RustMemory-safe systems language
- penetration testingAuthorized security vulnerability assessment
- malfunctionsbroken, defective, glitch, faulty, error
- tech problemsbug, paper jam, low ink, dropped calls, bugs
- overloadoverload, overwhelmed, excess, surplus, maxed out
- cybersecurityantivirus, malware, firewall, firewalls, encryption
- cyber threatsmalware, phishing, hacking, virus, ransomware
- cyberattacksmalware, phishing, ransomware, hack, virus
buffer overflowinput validation
buffer, overflow, overflowing, buffers, overflowed, overflows, buffering, buffered, underflow