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GSEC · Question #237

Which of the following statements about buffer overflow is true?

The correct answer is C. It is a condition in which an application receives more data than it is configured to accept. A buffer overflow occurs when an application receives more input data than its allocated memory buffer can hold, potentially causing crashes or enabling code execution attacks.

Cloud, Web, and Application Security

Question

Which of the following statements about buffer overflow is true?

Options

  • AIt manages security credentials and public keys for message encryption.
  • BIt is a collection of files used by Microsoft for software updates released between major service
  • CIt is a condition in which an application receives more data than it is configured to accept.
  • DIt is a false warning about a virus.

How the community answered

(32 responses)
  • A
    13% (4)
  • B
    6% (2)
  • C
    78% (25)
  • D
    3% (1)

Why each option

A buffer overflow occurs when an application receives more input data than its allocated memory buffer can hold, potentially causing crashes or enabling code execution attacks.

AIt manages security credentials and public keys for message encryption.

Managing security credentials and public keys describes a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) or key management system, not a buffer overflow.

BIt is a collection of files used by Microsoft for software updates released between major service

A collection of Microsoft update files released between major service packs describes a hotfix rollup or update bundle, not a buffer overflow.

CIt is a condition in which an application receives more data than it is configured to accept.Correct

A buffer overflow is precisely defined as the condition where an application receives more data than it is configured or allocated to handle. When the input exceeds the buffer boundary, it overwrites adjacent memory, which attackers can exploit to execute arbitrary code or crash the application.

DIt is a false warning about a virus.

A false warning about a virus describes a virus hoax, which is a social engineering tactic unrelated to buffer overflows.

Concept tested: Buffer overflow vulnerability definition

Source: https://owasp.org/www-community/vulnerabilities/Buffer_Overflow

Topics

#buffer overflow#application vulnerability#input validation

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