Definition[]
A buffer overflow attack is
| “ | a method of overloading a predefined amount of space in a buffer, which can potentially overwrite and corrupt memory in data.[1] | ” |
Overview[]
"Buffer overflows take advantage of poorly written code, like a program that does not check the size of data being inserted into a buffer. Attackers cause a buffer overflow by changing the value of a program variable to a number greater than expected and executing arbitrary code under a privileged user account."[2]