Stack-based Buffer Overflow
A stack-based buffer overflow occurs when a program writes more data to a buffer located on the stack than it was allocated to hold.
How It Works
A stack-based buffer overflow occurs when a program writes more data to a buffer located on the stack than it was allocated to hold. The stack stores local variables, function parameters, and critical control information including the return address that tells the CPU where to resume execution after a function completes. When an attacker overflows a buffer, they can overwrite adjacent memory, including this return address.
The classic exploitation path involves carefully crafting input to overwrite the return address with a pointer to attacker-controlled code. Historically, attackers would inject shellcode directly into the overflowed buffer, then redirect execution to it. Modern defenses like Data Execution Prevention (DEP/NX) mark the stack as non-executable, forcing attackers to use Return-Oriented Programming (ROP) instead—chaining together existing code snippets ("gadgets") to perform malicious operations without injecting new code.
Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) randomizes memory addresses to make exploitation harder, but attackers can defeat it through information disclosure vulnerabilities that leak memory addresses. Stack canaries—random values placed between buffers and control data—can detect overwrites, but may be bypassed through brute-force attacks or by carefully avoiding them in partial overwrites.
Impact
- Arbitrary code execution at the privilege level of the vulnerable process
- Complete system compromise if the vulnerable process runs with elevated privileges (root/SYSTEM)
- Memory corruption leading to crashes and denial of service
- Bypass of authentication mechanisms by redirecting execution flow around security checks
- Data theft or modification through code injection that accesses sensitive memory regions
Real-World Examples
The Morris Worm (1988) exploited a stack overflow in the Unix fingerd daemon, becoming one of the first major internet worms. The Code Red worm (2001) leveraged a stack overflow in Microsoft IIS (CVE-2001-0500) to compromise hundreds of thousands of web servers, demonstrating the massive scale of automated exploitation.
More recently, EternalBlue exploited stack corruption in Windows SMB (CVE-2017-0144), enabling the WannaCry and NotPetya ransomware outbreaks that caused billions in damage. The Heartbleed bug (CVE-2014-0160), while technically a heap-based read overflow, demonstrated how buffer handling errors remain prevalent even in security-critical software like OpenSSL.
Mitigation
- Stack canaries (compile with
-fstack-protector-allor equivalent) to detect overwrites before return - Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) to randomize memory locations
- DEP/NX bit enforcement to prevent code execution from stack memory
- Memory-safe string functions (use
strncpy,snprintf,strlcpyinstead ofstrcpy,sprintf,gets) - Compiler hardening flags (
-D_FORTIFY_SOURCE=2, control-flow integrity) - Input validation with strict bounds checking on all externally-supplied data
- Memory-safe languages (Rust, Go) for new development to eliminate the vulnerability class entirely
Recent CVEs (2223)
A vulnerability was found in Tenda AC18 15.03.05.05 and classified as critical. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Tenda AX12 v1.0 v22.03.01.16 was discovered to contain a stack overflow via the ssid parameter in the sub_431CF0 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.
A stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in Fortinet FortiOS 7.4.0 through 7.4.1, FortiOS 7.2.0 through 7.2.5, FortiOS 7.0.0 through 7.0.12, FortiOS 6.4.0 through 6.4.14, FortiOS 6.2.0 through. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
DIR-822 Rev. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in the web-based user interface of Cisco Small Business 100, 300, and 500 Series Wireless APs could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to perform buffer overflow attacks against. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A stack-based buffer overflow in the built-in web server in Moxa NPort W2150A/W2250A Series firmware version 2.3 and prior allows a remote attacker to exploit the vulnerability by sending crafted. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
LBT T300-T390 v2.2.1.8 were discovered to contain a stack overflow via the ApCliSsid parameter in the makeCurRemoteApList 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.
LBT T300-T390 v2.2.1.8 were discovered to contain a stack overflow via the ApCliSsid parameter in the init_nvram function. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
LBT T300-T390 v2.2.1.8 were discovered to contain a stack overflow via the apn_name_3g parameter in the setupEC20Apn function. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
LBT T300- T390 v2.2.1.8 were discovered to contain a stack overflow via the vpn_client_ip parameter in the config_vpn_pptp function. 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.
Delta Electronics CNCSoft-B versions 1.0.0.4 and prior are vulnerable to a stack-based buffer overflow, which may allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
D-Link DIR-823G A1V1.0.2B05 was discovered to contain a buffer overflow via the User-Agent parameter. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
D-Link DIR-823G A1V1.0.2B05 was discovered to contain a buffer overflow via the Cookie parameter. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
D-Link DIR-823G A1V1.0.2B05 was discovered to contain a buffer overflow via the SOAPACTION parameter. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A Stack Based Buffer Overflow vulnerability in Tenda AC9 v.3.0 with firmware version v.15.03.06.42_multi allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code via the fromSetSysTime function. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Totolink LR1200GB 9.1.0u.6619_B20230130/9.3.5u.6698_B20230810. 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 in Tenda AC9 v.3.0 with firmware version v.15.03.06.42_multi allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code via the formWifiBasicSet function. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.0), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Stack Based Buffer Overflow vulnerability in Tenda AC9 v.3.0 with firmware version v.15.03.06.42_multi allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code via the formSetDeviceName function. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A Stack Based Buffer Overflow vulnerability in tenda AC9 AC9 v.3.0 with firmware version v.15.03.06.42_multi allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code via the fromSetIpMacBind function. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Stack Based Buffer Overflow vulnerability in Tenda AC9 v.3.0 with firmware version v.15.03.06.42_multi allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code via the add_white_node function. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A maliciously crafted CATPART file when parsed CC5Dll.dll through Autodesk applications can be used to cause a Stack-based Overflow. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A maliciously crafted SLDPRT file when parsed ODXSW_DLL.dll through Autodesk applications can be used to cause a Stack-based Overflow. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
When a BIG-IP PEM classification profile is configured on a UDP virtual server, undisclosed requests can cause the Traffic Management Microkernel (TMM) to terminate. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in Tecnomatix Plant Simulation V2201 (All versions < V2201.0012), Tecnomatix Plant Simulation V2302 (All versions < V2302.0006). 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 Tecnomatix Plant Simulation V2201 (All versions < V2201.0012), Tecnomatix Plant Simulation V2302 (All versions < V2302.0006). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
A vulnerability has been identified in Tecnomatix Plant Simulation V2201 (All versions < V2201.0012), Tecnomatix Plant Simulation V2302 (All versions < V2302.0006). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
A vulnerability was reported in the Open vSwitch sub-component in the Linux Kernel. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Totolink N200RE 9.3.5u.6139_B20201216. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Totolink N200RE 9.3.5u.6139_B20201216. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Totolink N200RE 9.3.5u.6139_B20201216. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Totolink N200RE 9.3.5u.6139_B20201216. 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 was found in Totolink N200RE 9.3.5u.6139_B20201216. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in Totolink N200RE 9.3.5u.6139_B20201216. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in Totolink N200RE 9.3.5u.6139_B20201216. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in Totolink N200RE 9.3.5u.6139_B20201216 and classified as critical. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Tenda i9 1.0.0.9(4122). 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 was found in Tenda W6 1.0.0.9(4122). 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 was found in Tenda W6 1.0.0.9(4122). 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 was found in Tenda i6 1.0.0.9(3857). 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 was found in Tenda i6 1.0.0.9(3857) and classified as critical. 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 has been found in Tenda i6 1.0.0.9(3857) and classified as critical. 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, which was classified as critical, was found in Tenda i6 1.0.0.9(3857). 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 was found in obgm libcoap 4.3.4. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Tenda AC10U 15.03.06.49_multi_TDE01. 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 critical was found in Tenda AC10U 15.03.06.49_multi_TDE01. 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 critical has been found in Tenda AC10U 15.03.06.49_multi_TDE01. 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 was found in Tenda AC10U 15.03.06.49_multi_TDE01. 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 was found in Tenda AC10U 15.03.06.49_multi_TDE01. 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 was found in Tenda AC10U 15.03.06.49_multi_TDE01. 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 was found in Tenda AC10U 15.03.06.49_multi_TDE01 and classified as critical. 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 has been found in Tenda AC10U 15.03.06.49_multi_TDE01 and classified as critical. 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, which was classified as critical, was found in Tenda AC10U 15.03.06.49_multi_TDE01. 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, which was classified as critical, has been found in Tenda AC10U 15.03.06.49_multi_TDE01. 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 critical was found in Tenda AC10U 15.03.06.49_multi_TDE01. 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 critical has been found in Totolink LR1200GB 9.1.0u.6619_B20230130. 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 Totolink LR1200GB 9.1.0u.6619_B20230130. 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 Totolink LR1200GB 9.1.0u.6619_B20230130. 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 Totolink LR1200GB 9.1.0u.6619_B20230130. 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 Totolink LR1200GB 9.1.0u.6619_B20230130 and classified as critical. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been found in Totolink LR1200GB 9.1.0u.6619_B20230130 and classified as critical. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Totolink LR1200GB 9.1.0u.6619_B20230130. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Totolink LR1200GB 9.1.0u.6619_B20230130.cgi. 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 Tenda W9 1.0.0.7(4456). 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 Tenda W9 1.0.0.7(4456). 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 Tenda W9 1.0.0.7(4456). 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 Tenda W9 1.0.0.7(4456) and classified as critical. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been found in Tenda W9 1.0.0.7(4456) and classified as critical. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Tenda W9 1.0.0.7(4456). Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Tenda W9 1.0.0.7(4456). Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Tenda PA6 1.0.1.21. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Tenda A15 15.13.07.13. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in Tenda A15 15.13.07.13. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in Tenda A15 15.13.07.13. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Wazuh is a free and open source platform used for threat prevention, detection, and response. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.4), this vulnerability is no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
NVIDIA DGX A100 BMC contains a vulnerability in the host KVM daemon, where an unauthenticated attacker may cause a stack overflow by sending a specially crafted network packet. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
NVIDIA DGX A100 baseboard management controller (BMC) contains a vulnerability in the host KVM daemon, where an unauthenticated attacker may cause a stack overflow by sending a specially crafted. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
NVIDIA DGX A100 BMC contains a vulnerability in the host KVM daemon, where an unauthenticated attacker may cause stack memory corruption by sending a specially crafted network packet. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
The vulnerability allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to perform a Denial-of-Service (DoS) attack or, possibly, obtain Remote Code Execution (RCE) via a crafted network request. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
The vulnerability allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to perform a Denial-of-Service (DoS) attack or, possibly, obtain Remote Code Execution (RCE) via a crafted network request. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
The vulnerability allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to perform a Denial-of-Service (DoS) attack or, possibly, obtain Remote Code Execution (RCE) via a crafted network request. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
The vulnerability allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to perform a Denial-of-Service (DoS) attack or, possibly, obtain Remote Code Execution (RCE) via a crafted network request. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
AMI’s SPx contains a vulnerability in the BMC where an Attacker may cause a stack-based buffer overflow via an adjacent network. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.6), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
AMI’s SPx contains a vulnerability in the BMC where an Attacker may cause a stack memory corruption via an adjacent network. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
AMI’s SPx contains a vulnerability in the BMC where an Attacker may cause a stack-based buffer overflow via an adjacent network. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.6), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in JT2Go (All versions < V14.3.0.6), Teamcenter Visualization V13.3 (All versions < V13.3.0.13), Teamcenter Visualization V14.1 (All versions < V14.1.0.12),. 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 < V14.3.0.6), Teamcenter Visualization V13.3 (All versions < V13.3.0.13), Teamcenter Visualization V14.1 (All versions < V14.1.0.12),. 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 SE2023 (All versions < V223.0 Update 10). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in Totolink NR1800X 9.1.0u.6279_B20210910 and classified as critical. 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 has been found in Totolink N350RT 9.3.5u.6139_B202012 and classified as critical. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Totolink N350RT 9.3.5u.6139_B202012. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.