Security vulnerabilities and automated fixes for strcpy issues
8 posts found
A critical buffer overflow vulnerability was discovered and patched in `sys/vms/vmsmail.c`, where eight unchecked calls to `strcpy()` and `strcat()` allowed externally-sourced mail message content to overflow fixed-size buffers. An attacker capable of sending a crafted VMS mail message could overwrite stack return addresses, potentially achieving arbitrary code execution. The fix replaces all dangerous string operations with bounds-checked `snprintf()` calls, eliminating the overflow risk entire
A critical buffer overflow vulnerability was discovered in `gravier/gravier-str.h`, where a subtle typo in the `next_power_of_2()` function combined with off-by-one allocation errors and unchecked `strcpy()` calls created a dangerous memory corruption pathway. Because this code was directly reachable from user-facing menu text input and the s7 scripting engine, an attacker could potentially exploit it to crash the application or execute arbitrary code. The fix corrects the broken bit-shift opera
A critical buffer overflow vulnerability was discovered and patched in a C-based game engine, where unbounded `strcpy()` calls in `src/game.c` and `src/anime.c` could allow attackers to overwrite adjacent memory and hijack program control flow. This type of vulnerability has been responsible for some of the most devastating exploits in software history and remains a top concern in systems-level C programming. The fix eliminates the unsafe string copy operations, closing a path that could have en
A critical buffer overflow vulnerability was discovered and patched in `src/utils/utils.c`, where five unguarded calls to `strcpy()` allowed attacker-controlled strings from external configuration files to overwrite stack and heap memory. This class of vulnerability — one of the oldest and most dangerous in systems programming — can lead to arbitrary code execution, privilege escalation, or full application compromise. The fix replaces unsafe string operations with bounds-checked alternatives, c
A critical buffer overflow vulnerability was discovered and patched in `src/dclock/clocktime.c`, where multiple unbounded `strcpy()` calls copied untrusted data into fixed-size buffers without any length validation. Left unpatched, these flaws could allow an attacker to overwrite stack memory and achieve arbitrary code execution — one of the most severe outcomes in software security. This post breaks down how the vulnerability works, how it was fixed, and what every C developer should know to pr
A critical buffer overflow vulnerability was discovered and patched in `runtime/memory/memory.c`, where an unchecked `strcpy()` call could allow attackers to corrupt memory and potentially execute arbitrary code. This classic CWE-120 vulnerability serves as a powerful reminder that unsafe C string functions remain one of the most persistent threats in modern software. The fix eliminates the unbounded copy operation, closing a door that could have led to devastating system compromise.
A critical buffer overflow vulnerability was discovered and patched in a custom `strcpy()` implementation used system-wide across kernel and userspace code. Without bounds checking, any oversized input could overwrite stack frames, return addresses, or heap metadata — opening the door to remote code execution. This post breaks down how the vulnerability works, how it was fixed, and what every C developer should know to avoid the same mistake.
A critical stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability was discovered and patched in a C print module, where user-controlled strings were being copied into fixed-size buffers using the unsafe `strcpy` function. This classic CWE-120 vulnerability could have allowed an attacker to overwrite stack memory and potentially hijack program execution. The fix eliminates the unsafe string copy operations, closing a straightforward but dangerous exploitation path.