What is the difference between buffer overflow and other vulnerabilities?

What is the difference between buffer overflow and other vulnerabilities?

Buffer overflow occurs when data exceeds a buffer's storage capacity, leading to memory corruption. Other vulnerabilities, like SQL injection or cross-site scripting, exploit different weaknesses in software.

Can you give me an example of a buffer overflow attack?

Sure! A classic example is when a program does not check the length of user input, allowing an attacker to input more data than the buffer can handle, potentially overwriting adjacent memory.

How do buffer overflows compare to SQL injection?

Buffer overflows target memory management flaws, while SQL injection exploits vulnerabilities in database queries. Both can lead to severe security breaches but operate in different contexts.

What are some common defenses against buffer overflow attacks?

Common defenses include using safe programming languages, implementing stack canaries, and employing address space layout randomization (ASLR) to make it harder for attackers to predict memory addresses.