stack overflow

(programming)

An error condition which results from attempting to push more items onto a stack than space has been allocated for. Often, this will simply overwrite the adjacent memory locations causing hard-to-trace bugs.

Stack overflow can result, for example, from an insufficient number of stack frames to handle hardware interrupts.

This article is provided by FOLDOC - Free Online Dictionary of Computing (foldoc.org)

stack overflow

An error condition that occurs when there is no room in the stack for a new item. This error condition can also occur when other things go awry; for example, a bad expansion card or one that isn't seated properly in the slot can cause erratic signals eventually leading to a stack overflow error message. Contrast with stack underflow. See stack.

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References in periodicals archive

If a stack overflow occurs, a major or minor malfunction is very likely to follow.

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Chapters on kernel security and reliability describe results in kernel stack overflow elimination, and compare Windows and Linux authentication and authorization features.

Advanced operating systems and kernel applications; techniques and technologies

<p>According to a Microsoft Security Research & Defense post, if a vulnerable IIS 5.0 (Windows 2000), 5.1 (XP) or 6.0 (Server 2003) FTP service attempts to list a "long, specially-crafted directory name," a stack overflow will occur that can allow for remote code execution.

Microsoft IIS Servers Vulnerable to FTP Attack

* For the third reporting period, the Microsoft SQL Server Resolution Service Stack Overflow Attack (formerly known as the Slammer attack) was the most common attack, used by 22 per cent of all attackers.

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