Most susceptible to buffer overflows

Most susceptible to buffer overflows

• A. Python
• B. Java
• C. Go
• D. C++

Answer: (D)

Buffer overflows occur when data writes go beyond the space allocated for a buffer because bounds aren’t enforced. This risk is highest in languages that give programmers direct control over memory and allow raw memory operations without automatic safety checks. Among the given options, the language that fits this pattern best is one that lets you manipulate memory directly with pointers and C-style strings, where functions like strcpy don’t enforce length by default. That capability makes buffer overflows a common vulnerability, since overflow can overwrite adjacent memory, potentially altering behavior or taking control of the program. The other languages protect against this in typical usage. Python manages memory automatically and checks bounds on data structures, so exceeding a buffer usually results in an exception rather than memory corruption. Java runs on a managed environment with array bounds checking, preventing overflow of native memory. Go also includes bounds checks on slices and arrays, providing memory safety unless you deliberately bypass it with unsafe code.

Buffer overflows occur when data writes go beyond the space allocated for a buffer because bounds aren’t enforced. This risk is highest in languages that give programmers direct control over memory and allow raw memory operations without automatic safety checks.

Among the given options, the language that fits this pattern best is one that lets you manipulate memory directly with pointers and C-style strings, where functions like strcpy don’t enforce length by default. That capability makes buffer overflows a common vulnerability, since overflow can overwrite adjacent memory, potentially altering behavior or taking control of the program.

The other languages protect against this in typical usage. Python manages memory automatically and checks bounds on data structures, so exceeding a buffer usually results in an exception rather than memory corruption. Java runs on a managed environment with array bounds checking, preventing overflow of native memory. Go also includes bounds checks on slices and arrays, providing memory safety unless you deliberately bypass it with unsafe code.