What vulnerability occurs when a program allocates insufficient buffer space?

A buffer overflow occurs when a program allocates insufficient buffer space for data and an overflow happens, meaning that data exceeds the allocated buffer size. When this occurs, the extra data can overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially allowing an attacker to modify the program's execution flow, corrupt data, crash the program, or even execute arbitrary code.

Understanding buffer overflow vulnerabilities is critical in programming and cybersecurity, as they illustrate the importance of proper memory management and input validation. This vulnerability is often addressed through secure coding practices, such as implementing bounds checking, using safer functions for handling strings and inputs, or employing programming languages that manage memory automatically.

Recognizing a buffer overflow helps in the identification and mitigation of security risks in software applications, making it an essential topic for any security professional.