Buffer overflow memory vulnerability commonly affects which area of memory?

Buffer overflow memory vulnerability commonly affects which area of memory?

• A. The heap space
• B. The stack space
• C. The data segment
• D. The code segment

Answer: (B)

Buffer overflow happens when data written to a buffer exceeds its allocated size, overwriting neighboring memory. On many systems, local buffers live in the stack, which holds each function’s stack frame, including local variables, parameters, and the return address. If a buffer is too small and receives more data than it can hold, it can overwrite the saved return address or other control data, potentially altering program flow or allowing code execution. This is why stack-based overflows are the classic and most common form of buffer overflow. While the heap can also be affected by overflows, the typical vulnerability that leads to control-flow hijacking targets the stack. The data segment contains global/static variables and the code segment stores instructions (which is usually protected from being overwritten). So the area most commonly affected by a buffer overflow is the stack space.

Buffer overflow happens when data written to a buffer exceeds its allocated size, overwriting neighboring memory. On many systems, local buffers live in the stack, which holds each function’s stack frame, including local variables, parameters, and the return address. If a buffer is too small and receives more data than it can hold, it can overwrite the saved return address or other control data, potentially altering program flow or allowing code execution. This is why stack-based overflows are the classic and most common form of buffer overflow.

While the heap can also be affected by overflows, the typical vulnerability that leads to control-flow hijacking targets the stack. The data segment contains global/static variables and the code segment stores instructions (which is usually protected from being overwritten). So the area most commonly affected by a buffer overflow is the stack space.