A security vulnerability that occurs when a program writes more data to a buffer than it can hold, potentially overwriting adjacent memory and allowing malicious code execution.
Combines 'buffer' (1950s computing term for temporary storage) with 'overflow' from mathematics. The security implications became notorious in the 1988 Morris Worm, making it a cornerstone of cybersecurity education.
It's like trying to pour a gallon of water into a coffee cup - the excess spills over and can damage whatever's nearby. This 'spill' in computer memory is how many of the world's most famous hacks actually work!
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