Certified Incident Handler (CIH) Practice Ecam

Which type of coding error can lead to attacks that exploit memory vulnerabilities?

1. Buffer Overflows

2. SQL Injection

3. Cross-Site Scripting

4. Data Leakage

The correct answer is: Buffer Overflows

Buffer overflows are a type of coding error that occurs when a program writes more data to a buffer than it can hold, which can overwrite adjacent memory. This behavior can be exploited by attackers to inject malicious code or manipulate the execution flow of a program. When the overflow happens, the attacker can gain control over the program's execution, potentially allowing them to execute arbitrary code, escalate privileges, or cause denial of service. In contrast, SQL injection focuses on manipulating queries to databases, targeting input validation issues rather than memory management. Cross-site scripting also exploits web applications but involves injecting scripts into web pages rather than manipulating memory. Data leakage pertains to the unauthorized transmission of data, which, while serious, does not specifically relate to memory vulnerabilities or exploitation through coded errors. Therefore, buffer overflows are the most relevant type of coding error associated with the exploitation of memory vulnerabilities, making it the accurate choice.