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Computer Security Resource Center

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buffer overflow

Abbreviation(s) and Synonym(s):

BOF

Definition(s):

  A condition at an interface under which more input can be placed into a buffer or data holding area than the capacity allocated, overwriting other information. Adversaries exploit such a condition to crash a system or to insert specially crafted code that allows them to gain control of the system.
Source(s):
NIST SP 800-82 Rev. 2 under Buffer Overflow from NIST SP 800-28

  A condition at an interface under which more input can be placed into a buffer or data holding area than the capacity allocated, overwriting other information. Attackers exploit such a condition to crash a system or to insert specially crafted code that allows them to gain control of the system.
Source(s):
CNSSI 4009-2015 from NIST SP 800-28, CNSSI 1011
NIST SP 800-28 Version 2 under Buffer Overflow