Buffer Overflows

Buffer overflows stem from C's inability to check whether or not a variable can fit into a specific memory space. Buffer overflow attacks are when a hacker inserts more data into a specified memory location than what that location is allocated. This can lead to the process of executing arbitrary code, which is when the hacker tricks the program into running a piece of malicious code that has been inserted into the memory. This gives power to the hacker to make the program do pretty much anything the hacker wants it to. To look at an example of a buffer overflow, please follow this link.