Buffer Overflow
A buffer overflow occurs when a program writes more data to a memory buffer than it was allocated to hold, causing the excess data to spill into adjacent memory regions.
How It Works
A buffer overflow occurs when a program writes more data to a memory buffer than it was allocated to hold, causing the excess data to spill into adjacent memory regions. This overwrites whatever data or code exists there, corrupting program state and potentially giving attackers control over execution flow.
Stack-based overflows are the most common variant. When a function allocates a fixed-size buffer on the stack and then copies user-controlled input without proper bounds checking, attackers can overflow past the buffer to overwrite the function's return address. When the function completes, instead of returning to legitimate code, execution jumps to attacker-specified memory containing malicious shellcode. Heap-based overflows work differently—they corrupt heap metadata like chunk size fields or free list pointers, leading to arbitrary memory writes when the allocator processes the corrupted structures.
Modern exploitation bypasses defensive mechanisms through techniques like Return-Oriented Programming (ROP), which chains together existing code snippets to avoid non-executable memory protections. Attackers may also use heap spraying to reliably position shellcode at predictable addresses, defeating address randomization.
Impact
- Remote code execution — attacker gains ability to run arbitrary commands with the privileges of the vulnerable process
- Privilege escalation — exploiting kernel or setuid program overflows to gain root/SYSTEM access
- Denial of service — crashes and memory corruption that render systems unusable
- Information disclosure — reading sensitive data from adjacent memory regions that should be inaccessible
- Authentication bypass — overwriting security-critical variables like permission flags or user IDs
Real-World Examples
Fortinet FortiOS suffered a critical buffer overflow (CVE-2025-32756) that allowed unauthenticated remote attackers to execute code as root on firewalls and VPN gateways. Attackers actively exploited this to compromise enterprise network perimeters before patches were available.
The Slammer worm from 2003 exploited a stack overflow in Microsoft SQL Server, spreading to 75,000 hosts in ten minutes by sending a single malformed UDP packet that overwrote the return address with shellcode. No authentication was required.
OpenSSH historically contained a heap overflow in challenge-response authentication that allowed pre-authentication remote root compromise on Unix systems, demonstrating how memory corruption in privileged network services creates maximum impact scenarios.
Mitigation
- Memory-safe languages — Rust, Go, and modern managed languages prevent buffer overflows by design through automatic bounds checking
- Stack canaries — random values placed before return addresses that detect corruption before control transfer
- Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) — randomizes memory locations making exploitation less reliable
- Data Execution Prevention (DEP/NX) — marks memory regions as non-executable, preventing direct shellcode execution
- Bounds checking — validate input sizes before copying, use safe functions like
strncpyinstead ofstrcpy - Fuzzing and static analysis — automated testing to discover overflows before deployment
Recent CVEs (36511)
Adobe Framemaker versions 2020.5, 2022.3 and earlier are affected by an out-of-bounds write vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Adobe Framemaker versions 2020.5, 2022.3 and earlier are affected by a Stack-based Buffer Overflow vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Adobe Framemaker versions 2020.5, 2022.3 and earlier are affected by a Heap-based Buffer Overflow vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Adobe Framemaker versions 2020.5, 2022.3 and earlier Answer: are affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that could lead to disclosure of sensitive memory. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Adobe Framemaker versions 2020.5, 2022.3 and earlier Answer: are affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that could lead to disclosure of sensitive memory. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Adobe Framemaker versions 2020.5, 2022.3 and earlier Answer: are affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that could lead to disclosure of sensitive memory. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Substance3D - Painter versions 9.1.2 and earlier Answer: are affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that could lead to disclosure of sensitive memory. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Substance3D - Painter versions 9.1.2 and earlier Answer: are affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that could lead to disclosure of sensitive memory. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Substance3D - Painter versions 9.1.2 and earlier are affected by an out-of-bounds write vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Animate versions 24.0.2, 23.0.5 and earlier Answer: are affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that could lead to disclosure of sensitive memory. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Animate versions 24.0.2, 23.0.5 and earlier are affected by an out-of-bounds write vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Animate versions 24.0.2, 23.0.5 and earlier are affected by an out-of-bounds write vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Animate versions 24.0.2, 23.0.5 and earlier are affected by a Heap-based Buffer Overflow vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Animate versions 24.0.2, 23.0.5 and earlier are affected by a Stack-based Buffer Overflow vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Animate versions 24.0.2, 23.0.5 and earlier are affected by an out-of-bounds write vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Substance3D - Designer versions 13.1.1 and earlier Answer: are affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that could lead to disclosure of sensitive memory. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Substance3D - Painter versions 9.1.2 and earlier are affected by an out-of-bounds write vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Illustrator versions 28.4, 27.9.3 and earlier are affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that could lead to disclosure of sensitive memory. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Illustrator versions 28.4, 27.9.3 and earlier are affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability when parsing a crafted file, which could result in a read past the end of an allocated memory. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Out-of-bounds array write in Xpdf 4.05 and earlier, due to missing object type check in AcroForm field reference. Rated low severity (CVSS 2.1), this vulnerability is no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Buffer overflow in some Zoom Workplace Apps and SDK’s may allow an authenticated user to conduct a denial of service via network access. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A memory corruption vulnerability in SdHost and SdMmcDevice in Insyde InsydeH2O kernel 5.2 before 05.29.09, kernel 5.3 before 05.38.09, kernel 5.4 before 05.46.09, kernel 5.5 before 05.54.09, and. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.4). No vendor patch available.
A memory corruption vulnerability in HddPassword in Insyde InsydeH2O kernel 5.2 before 05.29.09, kernel 5.3 before 05.38.09, kernel 5.4 before 05.46.09, kernel 5.5 before 05.54.09, and kernel 5.6. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.4). No vendor patch available.
A memory corruption vulnerability in StorageSecurityCommandDxe in Insyde InsydeH2O before kernel 5.2: IB19130163 in 05.29.07, kernel 5.3: IB19130163 in 05.38.07, kernel 5.4: IB19130163 in 05.46.07,. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.4). No vendor patch available.
Acrobat Reader versions 20.005.30574, 24.002.20736 and earlier Answer: are affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that could lead to disclosure of sensitive memory. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Acrobat Reader versions 20.005.30574, 24.002.20736 and earlier Answer: are affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that could lead to disclosure of sensitive memory. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Acrobat Reader versions 20.005.30574, 24.002.20736 and earlier Answer: are affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that could lead to disclosure of sensitive memory. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Acrobat Reader versions 20.005.30574, 24.002.20736 and earlier are affected by an out-of-bounds write vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
There is a buffer overflow vulnerability in the underlying SAE (Simultaneous Authentication of Equals) service that could lead to unauthenticated remote code execution by sending specially crafted. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
There are buffer overflow vulnerabilities in the underlying Central Communications service that could lead to unauthenticated remote code execution by sending specially crafted packets destined to. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
There are buffer overflow vulnerabilities in the underlying Central Communications service that could lead to unauthenticated remote code execution by sending specially crafted packets destined to. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
There are buffer overflow vulnerabilities in the underlying CLI service that could lead to unauthenticated remote code execution by sending specially crafted packets destined to the PAPI (Aruba's. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
There are buffer overflow vulnerabilities in the underlying CLI service that could lead to unauthenticated remote code execution by sending specially crafted packets destined to the PAPI (Aruba's. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Memory safety bugs present in Firefox 125. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Memory safety bugs present in Firefox 125, Firefox ESR 115.10, and Thunderbird 115.10. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Windows DWM Core Library Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Windows Remote Access Connection Manager Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Windows Common Log File System Driver Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Windows Common Log File System Driver Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Windows Cryptographic Services Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Windows Hyper-V Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Windows Cryptographic Services Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Windows Common Log File System Driver Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Microsoft Windows SCSI Class System File Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
D-Link DIR-822+ v1.0.5 was discovered to contain a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in the SetNetworkTomographySettings module. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in Solid Edge (All versions < V224.0 Update 2). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in Solid Edge (All versions < V224.0 Update 4). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in Solid Edge (All versions < V224.0 Update 2). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in JT2Go (All versions < V2312.0001), Teamcenter Visualization V14.1 (All versions < V14.1.0.13), Teamcenter Visualization V14.2 (All versions < V14.2.0.10),. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in JT2Go (All versions < V2312.0001), Teamcenter Visualization V14.1 (All versions < V14.1.0.13), Teamcenter Visualization V14.2 (All versions < V14.2.0.10),. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in Simcenter Femap (All versions < V2406). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in Solid Edge (All versions < V224.0 Update 5). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in Solid Edge (All versions < V224.0 Update 5). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in Solid Edge (All versions < V224.0 Update 5). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in Solid Edge (All versions < V224.0 Update 5). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in Solid Edge (All versions < V224.0 Update 5). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
SAP Replication Server allows an attacker to use gateway for executing some commands to RSSD. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in Tecnomatix Plant Simulation V2302 (All versions < V2302.0011). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in JT2Go (All versions < V2312.0005), Teamcenter Visualization V14.2 (All versions < V14.2.0.12), Teamcenter Visualization V14.3 (All versions < V14.3.0.10),. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in JT2Go (All versions < V2312.0005), Teamcenter Visualization V14.2 (All versions < V14.2.0.12), Teamcenter Visualization V14.3 (All versions < V14.3.0.10),. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in Simcenter Femap (All versions < V2406). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in Simcenter Femap (All versions < V2406). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in Simcenter Femap (All versions < V2406). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in Simcenter Femap (All versions < V2406). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in Simcenter Femap (All versions < V2406). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in Simcenter Femap (All versions < V2406). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in Simcenter Femap (All versions < V2406). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in Simcenter Femap (All versions < V2406). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in Parasolid V35.1 (All versions < V35.1.256), Parasolid V36.0 (All versions < V36.0.210), Parasolid V36.1 (All versions < V36.1.185). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
VMware Workstation and Fusion contain a heap buffer-overflow vulnerability in the Shader functionality. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An attacker who successfully exploited these vulnerabilities could cause the robot to stop, make the robot controller inaccessible, or execute arbitrary code. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Potential buffer overflow in unsafe UEFI variable handling in Phoenix SecureCore™ for Intel Gemini Lake.This issue affects: SecureCore™ for Intel Gemini Lake: from 4.1.0.1 before 4.1.0.567. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Potential buffer overflow in unsafe UEFI variable handling in Phoenix SecureCore™ for select Intel platforms This issue affects: Phoenix SecureCore™ for Intel Kaby Lake: from 4.0.1.1 before. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in Security Configuration Tool (SCT) (All versions), SIMATIC Automation Tool (All versions < V5.0 SP2), SIMATIC BATCH V9.1 (All versions < V9.1 SP2 Upd5), SIMATIC. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
TOTOLINK LR350 V9.3.5u.6698_B20230810 was discovered to contain a stack overflow via the password parameter in the function loginAuth. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Tenda AC18 v15.03.05.19 is vulnerable to Buffer Overflow in the formSetPPTPServer function via the endIp parameter. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Tenda FH1206 V1.2.0.8(8155)_EN was discovered to contain a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability via the page parameter at ip/goform/DhcpListClient. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Tenda FH1206 V1.2.0.8(8155)_EN was discovered to contain a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability via the PPW parameter at ip/goform/WizardHandle. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Tenda FH1206 V1.2.0.8(8155)_EN was discovered to contain a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability via the list1 parameter at ip/goform/DhcpListClient. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Tenda FH1206 V1.2.0.8(8155)_EN was discovered to contain a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability via the page parameter at ip/goform/NatStaticSetting. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Tenda FH1206 V1.2.0.8(8155)_EN was discovered to contain a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability via the funcpara1 parameter at ip/goform/exeCommand. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
TOTOLINK LR350 V9.3.5u.6369_B20220309 was discovered to contain a stack overflow via the password parameter in the function urldecode. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
TOTOLINK CP450 v4.1.0cu.747_B20191224 was discovered to contain a stack buffer overflow vulnerability in the addWlProfileClientMode function. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
TOTOLINK CP450 v4.1.0cu.747_B20191224 was discovered to contain a stack buffer overflow vulnerability in the setUrlFilterRules function. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
TOTOLINK CP450 v4.1.0cu.747_B20191224 was discovered to contain a stack buffer overflow vulnerability in the SetPortForwardRules function. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
TOTOLINK CP450 v4.1.0cu.747_B20191224 was discovered to contain a stack buffer overflow vulnerability in the CloudACMunualUpdate function. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
TOTOLINK CP450 v4.1.0cu.747_B20191224 was discovered to contain a stack buffer overflow vulnerability in the setIpPortFilterRules function. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
TOTOLINK CP450 v4.1.0cu.747_B20191224 was discovered to contain a stack buffer overflow vulnerability in the setStaticDhcpConfig function. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
TOTOLINK CP450 v4.1.0cu.747_B20191224 was discovered to contain a stack buffer overflow vulnerability in the setLanguageCfg function. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.