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Commonly confused · Application & OT Security

Buffer Overflow vs Integer Overflow: What's the Difference?

A buffer overflow writes more data into a memory buffer than it can hold, overwriting adjacent memory and potentially hijacking execution. An integer overflow occurs when an arithmetic result exceeds the variable's maximum value and wraps around, which can lead to logic errors or set up a buffer overflow.

Buffer Overflow

Full definition
vs

Integer Overflow

Full definition
Buffer OverflowInteger Overflow
What overflowsMemory bufferNumeric variable
ResultAdjacent memory overwrittenValue wraps to a small or negative number
Typical impactCrash, arbitrary code executionWrong calculations, undersized allocations, bypassed checks
Common languagesC, C++Any language with fixed-width integers
DefensesBounds checking, ASLR, DEP/NX, stack canaries, memory-safe languagesRange checks, safe math libraries, larger types
Remember it

Buffer overflow spills memory; integer overflow wraps the odometer.

Exam tip

NOP sleds and long strings of repeated characters signal a buffer overflow. ASLR and DEP are the mitigations exams expect.

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