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 (5400)
CVE-2024-53018 is a security vulnerability (CVSS 6.6). Remediation should follow standard vulnerability management procedures.
Memory corruption while handling test pattern generator IOCTL command.
CVE-2024-53016 is a security vulnerability (CVSS 6.6). Remediation should follow standard vulnerability management procedures.
Memory corruption while processing IOCTL command to handle buffers associated with a session.
Memory corruption may occur while processing voice call registration with user.
OOB write in Samsung Exynos 1480/2400 processors.
Heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in Sonos Era 300 speakers that allows unauthenticated, network-adjacent attackers to execute arbitrary code with high severity (CVSS 8.8). The flaw exists in ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec) data processing where insufficient length validation enables buffer overflow conditions. This vulnerability poses significant risk as it requires no authentication, no user interaction, and can be exploited by any attacker on the local network segment to achieve remote code execution in the context of the anacapa user.
Tenda AC6 V15.03.05.16 was discovered to contain a stack overflow via the time parameter in the setSmartPowerManagement function.
An out-of-bounds read vulnerability exists in High-Logic FontCreator 15.0.0.3015. A specially crafted font file can trigger this vulnerability which can lead to disclosure of sensitive information. An attacker needs to trick the user into opening the malicious file to trigger this vulnerability.
Integer underflow vulnerability in catdoc 0.95's OLE Document DIFAT (Double-Indirect File Allocation Table) Parser that enables heap-based memory corruption through specially crafted malformed files. An attacker can exploit this local vulnerability (no privileges required) by providing a malicious OLE document to trigger the integer underflow, potentially achieving arbitrary code execution or denial of service. While no active KEV status or widespread POC is confirmed in this dataset, the CVSS 8.4 score and high impact ratings (confidentiality, integrity, availability all marked 'H') indicate this is a critical local code execution risk for users who process untrusted OLE documents.
Heap buffer overflow vulnerability in the Shared String Table Record Parser of xls2csv utility version 0.95, allowing unauthenticated local attackers to achieve arbitrary code execution with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The vulnerability is triggered by processing a specially crafted malformed Excel file, presenting significant risk to users who process untrusted spreadsheet inputs. No confirmed active exploitation in the wild has been reported at this time, though the local attack vector and lack of privilege requirements suggest moderate real-world exploitability.
1-byte heap buffer overflow in NeKernal OS version 0.0.2's `rt_copy_memory` function, where a null terminator is unconditionally written beyond the destination buffer boundary when the copy length equals the buffer size (256 bytes). This vulnerability affects local attackers with no privilege requirements and can result in high-impact compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The patch (commit fb7b7f658327f659c6a6da1af151cb389c2ca4ee) removes the overflow-causing null terminator write; no active exploitation or public POC is currently documented, but the CVSS 8.6 score reflects significant severity.
Heap OOB write in Android Bluetooth driver via incorrect bounds check.
Buffer overflow in multiple WAVLINK routers up to V1410_240222.
A vulnerability was found in FreeFloat FTP Server 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in FreeFloat FTP Server 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
hdf5 v1.14.6 was discovered to contain a heap buffer overflow via the H5Z__filter_scaleoffset function. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
hdf5 v1.14.6 was discovered to contain a heap buffer overflow via the H5VM_memcpyvv function. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been found in PCMan FTP Server 2.0.7 and classified as critical. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in FreeFloat FTP Server 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Santesoft Sante DICOM Viewer Pro contains a memory corruption vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.4), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The issue was addressed with improved memory handling. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
MikroTik RouterOS 6.40.5, the SMB service contains a memory corruption vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
IBM Db2 for Linux, UNIX and Windows (includes DB2 Connect Server) 11.1.0 through 11.1.4.7, 11.5.0 through 11.5.9 and 12.1.0 through 12.1.1 is vulnerable to a denial of service as the server may crash. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Buffer Overflow vulnerability in Free5gc v.4.0.0 allows a remote attacker to cause a denial of service via the AMF, NGAP, security.go, handler_generated.go, handleInitialUEMessageMain,. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Redis is an open source, in-memory database that persists on disk. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.7).
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in SourceCodester Computer Store System 1.0.c. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability classified as critical was found in FreeFloat FTP Server 1.0.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A buffer over-read in Fortinet FortiOS versions 7.4.0 through 7.4.3, versions 7.2.0 through 7.2.7, and versions 7.0.0 through 7.0.14 may allow a remote unauthenticated attacker to crash the FGFM. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Out of bounds write in V8 in Google Chrome prior to 137.0.7151.55 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A flaw was found in GNU Coreutils. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A stack buffer overflow was found in Internationl components for unicode (ICU ). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.0), this vulnerability is no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in Wi-Fi in Samsung Mobile Processor and Wearable Processor Exynos 980, 850, 1080, 1280, 1330, 1380, 1480, W920, W930, and W1000. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in Samsung Mobile Processor, Wearable Processor, and Modem Exynos 980, 990, 850, 1080, 2100, 1280, 2200, 1330, 1380, 1480, 2400, 9110, W920, W930, W1000, Modem 5123, Modem. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in GNU Binutils up to 2.44. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A flaw was found in GIMP when processing certain TGA image files. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A flaw was found in GIMP. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Memory safety bugs present in Firefox 138 and Thunderbird 138. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Memory safety bug present in Firefox ESR 128.10, and Thunderbird 128.10. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Memory safety bugs present in Firefox 138, Thunderbird 138, Firefox ESR 128.10, and Thunderbird 128.10. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
A double-free could have occurred in `vpx_codec_enc_init_multi` after a failed allocation when initializing the encoder for WebRTC. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in GNU Binutils up to 2.44. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
An unauthenticated remote attacker can exploit insufficient input validation to write data beyond the bounds of a buffer, potentially leading to a denial-of-service condition for the devices. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in D-Link DI-8100 up to 20250523. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.7), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in FreeFloat FTP Server 1.0.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in FreeFloat FTP Server 1.0.0 and classified as critical. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been found in FreeFloat FTP Server 1.0.0 and classified as critical. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in FreeFloat FTP Server 1.0.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in FreeFloat FTP Server 1.0.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in D-Link DCS-5020L 1.01_B2. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability classified as problematic has been found in Open Asset Import Library Assimp 5.4.3. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in Open Asset Import Library Assimp 5.4.3. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in Open Asset Import Library Assimp 5.4.3. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in Open Asset Import Library Assimp 5.4.3. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in Open Asset Import Library Assimp 5.4.3 and classified as problematic.cpp. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer and Stack-based Buffer Overflow vulnerabilities were discovered in Apache NuttX RTOS Bluetooth Stack (HCI and UART components). 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 vulnerability classified as problematic has been found in Open Asset Import Library Assimp 5.4.3. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in Open Asset Import Library Assimp 5.4.3. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in Open Asset Import Library Assimp 5.4.3. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in Open Asset Import Library Assimp 5.4.3. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in Open Asset Import Library Assimp 5.4.3 and classified as problematic.cpp. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Buffer overflow in WebService Authentication processing of Small Office Multifunction Printers and Laser Printers(*) which may allow an attacker on the network segment to trigger the affected product. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in H3C GR-5400AX up to 100R008 and classified as critical. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In group_number in the scsir crate 0.2.0 for Rust, there can be an overflow because a hardware device may expect a small number of bits (e.g., 5 bits) for group number. Rated low severity (CVSS 2.9), this vulnerability is no authentication required. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in FreeFloat FTP Server 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in FreeFloat FTP Server 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability classified as critical was found in FreeFloat FTP Server 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in FreeFloat FTP Server 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A double-free condition occurs during the cleanup of temporary image files, which can be exploited to achieve memory corruption and potentially arbitrary code execution. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.0), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
An Out of Bounds Write occurs when the native library attempts PDF rendering, which can be exploited to achieve memory corruption and potentially arbitrary code execution. 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.
Sandboxie is a sandbox-based isolation software for 32-bit and 64-bit Windows NT-based operating systems. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Sandboxie is a sandbox-based isolation software for 32-bit and 64-bit Windows NT-based operating systems. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Tenda FH451 1.0.0.9. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in FreeFloat FTP Server 1.0 and classified as critical. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been found in FreeFloat FTP Server 1.0 and classified as critical. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Sandboxie is a sandbox-based isolation software for 32-bit and 64-bit Windows NT-based operating systems. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Sandboxie is a sandbox-based isolation software for 32-bit and 64-bit Windows NT-based operating systems. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in FreeFloat FTP Server 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in FreeFloat FTP Server 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), 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 GStreamer's H265 codec parsing functionality that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability occurs when processing malformed H265 slice headers, enabling attackers to overflow a fixed-length stack buffer and potentially take control of the application processing the media content. With an EPSS score of 0.61% (69th percentile) and a CVSS score of 8.8, this represents a significant risk for applications using GStreamer for video processing, though it requires user interaction to exploit.
MedDream PACS Server DICOM File Parsing Stack-based Buffer Overflow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
MedDream PACS Server DICOM File Parsing Stack-based Buffer Overflow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
MedDream PACS Server DICOM File Parsing Stack-based Buffer Overflow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
MedDream PACS Server DICOM File Parsing Stack-based Buffer Overflow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in FreeFloat FTP Server 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability classified as critical was found in FreeFloat FTP Server 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in FreeFloat FTP Server 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Affected Vertiv products contain a stack based buffer overflow vulnerability. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in FreeFloat FTP Server 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in FreeFloat FTP Server 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.