Buffer overflow is a type of software vulnerability that occurs when a program writes more data to a buffer (a temporary storage area in computer memory) than it can hold. This can happen when a program does not properly check the size of the data being written to the buffer, allowing an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations with malicious code or data.
When a buffer overflow occurs, it can lead to a variety of security issues, including crashing the program, corrupting data, or allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary code on the system. This can potentially lead to unauthorized access, data theft, or other malicious activities.
Buffer overflows are a common target for hackers looking to exploit vulnerabilities in software, and they can be difficult to detect and prevent. Developers can mitigate the risk of buffer overflows by using secure coding practices, such as input validation and bounds checking, and by implementing security mechanisms like address space layout randomization (ASLR) and data execution prevention (DEP).