Which of the following BEST describes a buffer overflow?
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A. B. C. D.D.
A buffer overflow occurs when a program or process tries to store more data in a buffer (temporary storage area) than it was designed to hold. This extra data can overwrite adjacent memory locations, causing the program to behave unexpectedly and potentially open up security vulnerabilities.
Answer D best describes a buffer overflow. When a function is executed with more data than it can handle, the extra data overflows into adjacent memory locations, potentially overwriting other important data or instructions. This can cause the program to crash, behave unpredictably, or even be hijacked by an attacker who can use the buffer overflow to execute their own code.
Answer A is describing a different type of security risk, namely a hidden function that is not meant to be part of the program but can be accessed by attackers. Answer B describes a covert channel, which is a method of transferring data that is hidden from detection. Answer C refers to malicious code, which can take many forms, including viruses, trojans, and worms, but is not specific to buffer overflows.