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Buffer Overflow

What is Buffer Overflow?

A software vulnerability that occurs when a program writes more data to a buffer than it can hold, potentially allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary code. Buffer overflows are among the most common and dangerous security flaws.

Information Security

What the standards actually require on buffer overflow

Requirements naming buffer overflow across 4 standards, quoted from the control text.

ISO 27002:20222 controls

Networks, systems and applications are to be monitored for anomalous behaviour, with appropriate steps taken to evaluate possible information security incidents. Purpose: spot abnormal behaviour and possible incidents.

iso-27002-2022::8.16 · Monitoring activities →

Applications, including web applications facing the internet, are tested against known attack types such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting and buffer overflow before implementation and after significant change.

ffiec-cybersecurity-assessment-tool-cat::D3.PC.Se.Int.2 · D3.PC.Se.Int.2 Secure Coding (Intermediate 2) →

Intermediate control principles for secure development (required, with baseline, of an AI whose inherent risk is medium). Processes mitigate vulnerabilities found during secure development;

hkma-cyber-resilience-assessment-framework-c-raf::3.4.I · 3.4 Secure development: intermediate level →
ISO/SAE 214341 control

If a design, modelling or programming notation or language is used, its selection shall consider an unambiguous syntax and semantics, support for modularity, abstraction and encapsulation, structured constructs, secure design and implementation techniques, int...

iso-sae-21434::RQ-10-04 · [RQ-10-04] Criteria for design, modelling and programming languages →

Questions people ask about buffer overflow

What is Buffer Overflow?
A software vulnerability that occurs when a program writes more data to a buffer than it can hold, potentially allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary code. Buffer overflows are among the most common and dangerous security flaws.
Why is Buffer Overflow important for compliance?
Buffer Overflow is a key concept in Information Security. Understanding buffer overflow helps organizations meet regulatory requirements, reduce risk, and demonstrate due diligence during audits. Our compliance platform maps 1,016 frameworks with 316K cross-framework control mappings.
Which compliance frameworks address Buffer Overflow?
Buffer Overflow appears in the requirement text of ISO 27002:2022, FFIEC Cybersecurity Assessment Tool (CAT), HKMA Cyber Resilience Assessment Framework (C-RAF), ISO/SAE 21434. Across these standards we have identified 5 controls that name it directly, each linked to the control text on the compliance platform.
Where can I learn more about Buffer Overflow?
Explore our compliance framework pages to see how buffer overflow applies across different standards and regulations. Our implementation guides provide step-by-step guidance, and the compliance platform offers AI-powered analysis of how this concept maps across 1,016 frameworks.

See how Buffer Overflow applies across compliance frameworks

Our platform maps 1,016 frameworks with 316K cross-framework control mappings. Explore how this concept is addressed across standards.

Written and maintained by Gerard Blokdyk, The Art of Service.