Analyzing The Stack-Based Buffer Overflow Problem.

It is interesting to know that a buffer overflow problem still exist today despite of many researches have been conducted in a period of more than 20 years. This study takes an opportunity to analyze one of the dominant buffer overflow problem type, a stack-based buffer overflow. A controlled experimental demonstration has been carried out to emulate a stack-based buffer overflow exploit. During the process, main conditions why and how the exploit happens will be identified, analyzed and documented. The findings showed that more works can be done at the coding stage to prevent the problem before the damage (exploit) occurs which normally happen after the software product has been distributed. In this case more resources have been wasted such as cost, man-hour and time. Hence, several practical suggestions with its own advantageous have been highlighted for further research and implementation. In addition, the findings should be very useful inputs in designing and implementing new buffer overflow detection and prevention mechanisms.