4 Buffer Overflows and Variable Sanitation

If you’re at all aware of Internet security, you’ve probably heard the term buffer overflow, followed by shudders, groans, and swearing. But if you’re unclear on what exactly a buffer is, let alone what would make it overflow, don’t worry. We explain the whole thing in this chapter. Once we nail down exactly what buffer overflows are, we talk about how to prevent them.

What Is a Buffer, How Does It Overflow, and Why Should You Care?

Buffer overflow attacks are particularly vicious because they allow attackers to do just about anything they want with your server. They can run remote applications, gain root access to your server, or simply cause the entire system to crash. ...

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