Paper Example on Buffer Overflow: Exploring Causes & Consequences

Introduction

Overflow ensues when the operating system tries to copy more files to a limited memory capacity (referred to as a buffer) that is not necessarily big enough to house it. Buffer overflow happens when an application executes arbitrary cryptogram by relaying prudently manufactured data to a program. The vulnerability may perhaps corrupt the computer. The target buffer is flooded, causing an overflow to a nearby memory.

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A buffer overflow occurs when a program applies an unbounded copy operation to write a variable-size buffer without taking into account whether the capacity of the destined definite-sized memory is large enough. The application then registers an error or performs contrarily. Some applications are more susceptible to buffer overflow matters, like C and C++ programs. These programs depend on the programmer to assign memory.

However, most frequently used applications on the web; namely, PHP, Java, JavaScript, or Python, are less susceptible to buffer overflow activities since they manage memory provision on behalf of the programmer. Their weakness lies in the fact that they may allow direct manipulation and often use core functions that are written by these low-level languages like C and C++.

Buffer overflows are uncommon, difficult to find, and exploit. Although an attack may have dire consequences as they let the attacker gain shell access. This buffer overflow gives the attacker leverage to control the operating system. Another result is that it may stop operating programs and prevent further usage of the PC.

Types of Buffer Overflow

There are two types of buffer overflow vulnerabilities, namely, stack and heap overflow. Stack buffer overflow applies to the memory space used by the operating system with the aim of loading local functions and variables reoccurrence addresses. The information on the stack is kept and recovered in an organized fashion. The computer operating system quickly controls allotment and retrieval of the stack.

Heap buffer overflows the memory space used by the operating system to load dynamic information. The program controls the quantity of memory required for booking at runtime and not the operating system. The extent of the virtual memory only restricts the space on the heap. Retrieving the heap is much slower.

How Buffer Overflow Functions

When a user copies characters that are more than the allotted space in the memory, the residual characters are kept in memory billed to another variable. This alters the value of that variable and the performance of the application deviates as well. This alteration may create a simple memory breakdown error with damaging costs. For example, we can examine how a C program experiences a vulnerability that is a stack buffer overflow. The C program deploys the stack to write a set of information for every operation.

The collection of information is known as the stack frame. It consists of task identify, return address, and the local variables. Running of the program begins with the primary function. The variables of the main feature are deposited on topmost of the stack. The values of the primary services are collected next on top of the pile. When the program has completed running, the present function returns to the primary task. The result is that the plan enters the top of the stack.

In other words, the program recalls the present location on the stack (stack pointer) and the memory position on returning (return address) after completion of the present function. Overwriting the return address so that the application jumps to the attacker's damaging cryptogram is the way out to this stack overflow.

How to Manage a Buffer Overflow

The best way of averting a buffer overflow is by suspecting user input. The programmer must identify the input capacity before using any functions that may create a flood. Another way of inhibiting buffer overflow is by using the addition of a compiler that uses canaries. The canaries are exceptional values that the compiler puts on the stack between the buffer and the position of control information3. All modern operating systems have a protection mechanism

called the address space layout randomization (ASLR). Executable space protection is another method to mitigate the effects of buffer overflow.

Impact of Buffer Overflows

Since the invention of the internet, the user has battled cyber threats that emanate in many forms. Recently, hackers discovered how to operate and access programs through buffer overflow vulnerabilities. These attacks have become a significant threat to cyber users. These hackers use buffer overflows to access user information, delete critical data, or manipulate programming.

Buffer overflow is a challenge to cyber users worldwide because the vulnerability is present in a large number of systems globally. The second reason is that buffer overflow cases are tough to exploit and identify. Therefore, there is time to implement the bits that repair the problem. The documentation and fixing of buffer overflow go back as far as 2013. The vulnerability might have occurred way back in the year 2000.

Bibliography

Baratloo, Arash, Timothy Tsai, and Navjot Singh. "Libsafe: Protecting critical elements of stacks." White Paper http://www. research. avayalabs. com/project/libsafe (1999). Retrieved from: http://www.academia.edu/download/36646226/ALR-2001-019-whpaper.pdf

Cowan, Crispin, F. Wagle, Calton Pu, Steve Beattie, and Jonathan Walpole. "Buffer overflows: Attacks and defenses for the vulnerability of the decade." In Proceedings DARPA Information Survivability Conference and Exposition. DISCEX'00, vol. 2, pp. 119-129. IEEE, 2000. Retrieved from: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/821514/