Which of the following best describes a buffer overflow?

A buffer overflow occurs when data exceeds a buffer's storage capacity. Buffers are temporary storage locations in memory that hold data being transferred between two locations, such as between a program and a device. When more data is written to a buffer than it can hold, the excess data can overwrite adjacent memory locations. This can lead to various issues, including data corruption, crashes, or even the execution of malicious code if the overflow is exploited by an attacker.

Understanding buffer overflows is crucial in secure software design because they can be used to execute arbitrary code, escalate privileges, and compromise system security. This vulnerability is typically associated with low-level programming languages that do not automatically manage memory, such as C and C++. Proper bounds checking, input validation, and utilizing safe programming practices can help mitigate the risk of buffer overflows.