Buffer Overflow Exploits

Buffer overflow exploits are a significant problem in computer security today. In all application programs, there are buffers that hold data. These buffers have a fixed size. If an attacker sends too much data into one of these buffers, the buffer overflows. The server then executes the data that "overflowed" as a program. This program may do any number of things, from sending passwords to Russia to altering system files, installing backdoors, etc., depending on what data the attacker sent to the buffer.