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 (36635)
When parsing a file that is submitted to the DPDecoder service as a job, the service will use the combination of decoding parameters that were submitted with the job along with fields that were. 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.
An out-of-bounds write vulnerability exists in the RS-274X aperture macro variables handling functionality of Gerbv 2.7.0 and dev (commit b5f1eacd) and the forked version of Gerbv (commit 71493260). 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.
An out-of-bounds write vulnerability exists in the RS-274X aperture macro variables handling functionality of Gerbv 2.7.0 and dev (commit b5f1eacd) and the forked version of Gerbv (commit 71493260). 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.
A stack buffer overflow was discovered on Realtek RTL8195AM device before 2.0.10, it exists in the client code when an attacker sends a big size Authentication challenge text in WEP security. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability exists in how the CMA readfile function of Garrett Metal Detectors iC Module CMA Version 5.0 is used at various locations. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability exists in how the CMA readfile function of Garrett Metal Detectors iC Module CMA Version 5.0 is used at various locations. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability exists in the CMA check_udp_crc function of Garrett Metal Detectors’ iC Module CMA Version 5.0. 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.
A stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability exists in the CMA check_udp_crc function of Garrett Metal Detectors’ iC Module CMA Version 5.0. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability exists in the Web Manager FsUnmount functionality of Lantronix PremierWave 2050 8.9.0.0R4 (in QEMU). Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability exists in the Web Manager FsBrowseClean functionality of Lantronix PremierWave 2050 8.9.0.0R4 (in QEMU). Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability exists in the Web Manager FsBrowseClean functionality of Lantronix PremierWave 2050 8.9.0.0R4 (in QEMU). Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability exists in the Web Manager Ping functionality of Lantronix PremierWave 2050 8.9.0.0R4 (in QEMU). Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability exists in the Web Manager SslGenerateCSR functionality of Lantronix PremierWave 2050 8.9.0.0R4 (in QEMU). Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
PJSIP is a free and open source multimedia communication library written in C language implementing standard based protocols such as SIP, SDP, RTP, STUN, TURN, and ICE. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. This Out-of-bounds Read vulnerability could allow attackers to read data from memory outside the intended buffer boundaries.
A stack overflow vulnerability exists in gpac 1.1.0 via the gf_bifs_dec_proto_list function, which causes a segmentation fault and application crash. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
An invalid memory address dereference vulnerability exists in gpac 1.1.0 in the dump_od_to_saf.isra function, which causes a segmentation fault and application crash. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
An out-of-bounds read vulnerability exists when reading a TIF file using Open Design Alliance Drawings SDK before 2022.12. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An out-of-bounds read vulnerability exists when reading a TGA file using Open Design Alliance Drawings SDK before 2022.12. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An out-of-bounds read vulnerability exists when reading a BMP file using Open Design Alliance (ODA) Drawings Explorer before 2022.12. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An Improper Input Validation Vulnerability exists when reading a BMP file using Open Design Alliance Drawings SDK before 2022.12. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A Denial of Service vulnerability exists in Binaryen 103 due to an Invalid memory address dereference in wasm::WasmBinaryBuilder::visitLet. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Adobe Audition versions 14.4 (and earlier), and 22.0 (and earlier)are affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that could lead to disclosure of sensitive memory. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Adobe Audition versions 14.4 (and earlier), and 22.0 (and earlier)are affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that could lead to disclosure of sensitive memory. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Adobe Audition versions 14.4 (and earlier), and 22.0 (and earlier)are affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that could lead to disclosure of sensitive memory. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Adobe Dimension versions 3.4.3 (and earlier) are affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that could lead to disclosure of sensitive memory. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Adobe Dimension versions 3.4.3 (and earlier) are affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that could lead to disclosure of sensitive memory. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Adobe Dimension versions 3.4.3 (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.
Adobe Dimension versions 3.4.3 (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.
Adobe Dimension versions 3.4.3 (and earlier) is affected by a memory corruption vulnerability due to insecure handling of a malicious GIF file, potentially resulting in arbitrary code execution in. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Adobe Dimension versions 3.4.3 (and earlier) are affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that could lead to disclosure of sensitive memory. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Adobe Premiere Rush version 1.5.16 (and earlier) is affected by a memory corruption vulnerability due to insecure handling of a malicious WAV file, potentially resulting in arbitrary code execution. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Adobe Premiere Rush version 1.5.16 (and earlier) is affected by a memory corruption vulnerability due to insecure handling of a malicious M4A file, potentially resulting in arbitrary code execution. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Adobe Premiere Rush version 1.5.16 (and earlier) is affected by a memory corruption vulnerability due to insecure handling of a malicious M4A file, potentially resulting in arbitrary code execution. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Adobe Premiere Rush version 1.5.16 (and earlier) is affected by a memory corruption vulnerability due to insecure handling of a malicious MXF file, potentially resulting in arbitrary code execution. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Adobe Premiere Rush version 1.5.16 (and earlier) is affected by a memory corruption vulnerability due to insecure handling of a malicious SVG file, potentially resulting in arbitrary code execution. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Adobe Premiere Rush version 1.5.16 (and earlier) is affected by a memory corruption vulnerability due to insecure handling of a malicious WAV file, potentially resulting in arbitrary code execution. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Adobe Premiere Rush version 1.5.16 (and earlier) is affected by a memory corruption vulnerability due to insecure handling of a malicious EPS/TIFF file, potentially resulting in arbitrary code. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Adobe Premiere Rush version 1.5.16 (and earlier) is affected by a memory corruption vulnerability due to insecure handling of a malicious PNG file, potentially resulting in arbitrary code execution. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Adobe Premiere Rush version 1.5.16 (and earlier) is affected by a memory corruption vulnerability due to insecure handling of a malicious EXR file, potentially resulting in arbitrary code execution. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Adobe Premiere Rush version 1.5.16 (and earlier) is affected by a memory corruption vulnerability due to insecure handling of a malicious WAV file, potentially resulting in arbitrary code execution. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Adobe Premiere Rush version 1.5.16 (and earlier) is affected by a memory corruption vulnerability due to insecure handling of a malicious WAV file, potentially resulting in arbitrary code execution. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Fuji Electric V-Server Lite and Tellus Lite V-Simulator prior to v4.0.12.0 is vulnerable to an out-of-bounds read, which may allow an attacker to read sensitive information from other memory. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Fuji Electric V-Server Lite and Tellus Lite V-Simulator prior to v4.0.12.0 is vulnerable to an out-of-bounds write, which can result in data corruption, a system crash, or code execution. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Fuji Electric V-Server Lite and Tellus Lite V-Simulator prior to v4.0.12.0 is vulnerable a heap-based buffer overflow when parsing a specially crafted project file, which may allow an attacker to. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Fuji Electric V-Server Lite and Tellus Lite V-Simulator prior to v4.0.12.0 is vulnerable to a stack-based buffer overflow, which may allow an attacker to achieve code execution. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
A carefully crafted request body can cause a buffer overflow in the mod_lua multipart parser (r:parsebody() called from Lua scripts). Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
vim is vulnerable to Heap-based Buffer Overflow. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
Apache PLC4X - PLC4C (Only the C language implementation was effected) was vulnerable to an unsigned integer underflow flaw inside the tcp transport. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Buffer Overflow Vulnerability exists in ajaxsoundstudio.com n Pyo < 1.03 in the Server_debug function, which allows remote attackers to conduct DoS attacks by deliberately passing on an overlong. 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.
Buffer overflow in ajaxsoundstudio.com Pyo < and 1.03 in the Server_jack_init function. 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.
Buffer overflow in the array_from_pyobj function of fortranobject.c in NumPy < 1.19, which allows attackers to conduct a Denial of Service attacks by carefully constructing an array with negative. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A Buffer Overflow vulnerability exists in NumPy 1.9.x in the PyArray_NewFromDescr_int function of ctors.c when specifying arrays of large dimensions (over 32) from Python code, which could let a. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A flaw was found in xorg-x11-server in versions before 21.1.2 and before 1.20.14. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A flaw was found in xorg-x11-server in versions before 21.1.2 and before 1.20.14. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A flaw was found in xorg-x11-server in versions before 21.1.2 and before 1.20.14. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A flaw was found in xorg-x11-server in versions before 21.1.2 and before 1.20.14. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Out-of-bounds Read vulnerability in Mitsubishi Electric GX Works2 versions 1.606G and prior, Mitsubishi Electric MELSOFT Navigator versions 2.84N and prior and Mitsubishi Electric EZSocket versions. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
In apusys, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In apusys, there is a possible out of bounds read due to an incorrect bounds check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In apusys, there is a possible memory corruption due to a missing bounds check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In apusys, there is a possible out of bounds read due to an incorrect bounds check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In apusys, there is a possible memory corruption due to a use after free. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In apusys, there is a possible memory corruption due to a use after free. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In apusys, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In apusys, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In apusys, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In apusys, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In apusys, there is a possible memory corruption due to a use after free. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In apusys, there is a possible memory corruption due to a missing bounds check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In apusys, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In ccu driver, there is a possible out of bounds read due to an integer overflow. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In geniezone driver, there is a possible out of bounds read due to an incorrect bounds check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In alac decoder, there is a possible out of bounds read due to an incorrect bounds check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
stab_xcoff_builtin_type in stabs.c in GNU Binutils through 2.37 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (heap-based buffer overflow) or possibly have unspecified other impact, as demonstrated. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
In ufshcd_eh_device_reset_handler of ufshcd.c, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a missing bounds check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Out-of-bounds Read vulnerability could allow attackers to read data from memory outside the intended buffer boundaries.
In sec_ts_parsing_cmds of (TBD), there is a possible out of bounds write due to an incorrect bounds check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Out-of-bounds Write vulnerability could allow attackers to write data beyond allocated buffer boundaries leading to code execution or crashes.
In (TBD) of (TBD), there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Out-of-bounds Write vulnerability could allow attackers to write data beyond allocated buffer boundaries leading to code execution or crashes.
In synchronous_process_io_entries of lwis_ioctl.c, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a race condition. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.4).
In __dwc3_gadget_ep0_queue of ep0.c, there is a possible out of bounds write due to improper locking. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
In periodic_io_work_func of lwis_periodic_io.c, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a use after free. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
In CreateDeviceInfo of trusty_remote_provisioning_context.cpp, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a missing bounds check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Out-of-bounds Read vulnerability could allow attackers to read data from memory outside the intended buffer boundaries.
In valid_ipc_dram_addr of cm_access_control.c, there is a possible out of bounds read due to an integer overflow. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
In lwis_dpm_update_clock of lwis_device_dpm.c, there is a possible out of bounds read due to an incorrect bounds check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Out-of-bounds Read vulnerability could allow attackers to read data from memory outside the intended buffer boundaries.
In eicOpsDecryptAes128Gcm of acropora/app/identity/identity_support.c, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Out-of-bounds Write vulnerability could allow attackers to write data beyond allocated buffer boundaries leading to code execution or crashes.
In (TBD) of (TBD), there is a possible out of bounds read due to memory corruption. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Out-of-bounds Read vulnerability could allow attackers to read data from memory outside the intended buffer boundaries.
In setClientStateLocked of SurfaceFlinger.cpp, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a use after free. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In setClientStateLocked of SurfaceFlinger.cpp, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a use after free. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In btu_hcif_process_event of btu_hcif.cc, there is a possible out of bounds read due to an incorrect bounds check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In WT_Interpolate of eas_wtengine.c, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a missing bounds check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In PVInitVideoEncoder of mp4enc_api.cpp, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a heap buffer overflow. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.