Buffer overflows are one of the most common and dangerous security vulnerabilities in computer systems. This vulnerability allows an attacker to overwrite the contents of a buffer outside of its allocated memory space, which can potentially lead to a number of security issues. In this technical paper, we will examine how buffer overflows work, discuss their impact on computer systems and discuss various preventative measures.

A buffer overflow occurs when a programme writes more data to a buffer than it can hold. This can lead to the additional data ending up in neighbouring memory areas that are reserved for other purposes. If an attacker specifically exploits such a vulnerability, they can inject malicious code into the memory and thereby manipulate the behaviour of the affected program.

The effects of a buffer overflow can be devastating. A successful attack can result in an attacker taking control of the affected system, executing malicious code, spying on confidential data or completely disrupting the system's service. In critical environments, such as in the financial or healthcare sectors, buffer overflows can have serious consequences and lead to significant financial losses or even loss of life.

There are various measures to prevent buffer overflows or to minimise their effects:

By carefully reviewing the source code, potential vulnerabilities can be recognised and eliminated at an early stage. Secure programming using best practices, such as the use of secure libraries and functions and limiting the buffer size, can reduce the risk of buffer overflows.

Modern compilers and operating systems offer protection mechanisms such as stack canaries or address space layout randomisation (ASLR) to make it more difficult to exploit buffer overflows by monitoring the integrity of the memory or randomly arranging the addresses of memory areas.

The use of programming languages and frameworks that inherently prevent buffer overflows or minimise their risk, such as Java or Python, can help to reduce the risk of security vulnerabilities.

Buffer overflows remain a serious threat to the security of computer systems. It is vital that developers, system administrators and security professionals are aware of the risks posed by this vulnerability and take the necessary measures to prevent them. Through a combination of secure programming, regular security checks and the use of modern protection mechanisms, organisations can minimise the risk of buffer overflows and ensure the security of their systems.