Common Weakness Enumeration
CWE-122
AllowedHeap-based Buffer Overflow
Abstraction: Variant · Status: Draft
A heap overflow condition is a buffer overflow, where the buffer that can be overwritten is allocated in the heap portion of memory, generally meaning that the buffer was allocated using a routine such as malloc().
4111 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-QJCX-RHWQ-959W
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-04-15 00:00 – Updated: 2022-04-22 00:00
VLAI
Details
Two heap-based buffer overflow vulnerabilities exists in the JPEG-JFIF lossless Huffman image parser functionality of Accusoft ImageGear 19.10. A specially-crafted file can lead to a heap buffer overflow. An attacker can provide a malicious file to trigger these vulnerabilities. Placeholder
Severity
8.8 (High)
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-21946"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-122",
"CWE-787"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-04-14T20:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Two heap-based buffer overflow vulnerabilities exists in the JPEG-JFIF lossless Huffman image parser functionality of Accusoft ImageGear 19.10. A specially-crafted file can lead to a heap buffer overflow. An attacker can provide a malicious file to trigger these vulnerabilities. Placeholder",
"id": "GHSA-qjcx-rhwq-959w",
"modified": "2022-04-22T00:00:51Z",
"published": "2022-04-15T00:00:39Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-21946"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://talosintelligence.com/vulnerability_reports/TALOS-2021-1375"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-QJVF-2FHP-Q8RX
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 19:13 – Updated: 2022-08-22 00:00
VLAI
Details
vim is vulnerable to Heap-based Buffer Overflow
Severity
7.8 (High)
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-3770"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-122",
"CWE-787"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2021-09-06T12:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "vim is vulnerable to Heap-based Buffer Overflow",
"id": "GHSA-qjvf-2fhp-q8rx",
"modified": "2022-08-22T00:00:51Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T19:13:03Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-3770"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/vim/vim/commit/b7081e135a16091c93f6f5f7525a5c58fb7ca9f9"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://huntr.dev/bounties/016ad2f2-07c1-4d14-a8ce-6eed10729365"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/J2CJLY3CF55I2ULG2X4ENXLSXAXYW5J4"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/X4FFQARG3LGREPDZRI4C7ERQL3RJKEWQ"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/ZFNTMVZCN4TRTTCAXRLVQ7H2P7FYAIZQ"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202208-32"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20221124-0003"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/10/01/1"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-QM5P-P76J-G82X
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-04-14 18:30 – Updated: 2026-04-14 18:30
VLAI
Details
Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Graphics Component allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code locally.
Severity
8.4 (High)
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-32221"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-122"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-04-14T18:17:30Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Graphics Component allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code locally.",
"id": "GHSA-qm5p-p76j-g82x",
"modified": "2026-04-14T18:30:42Z",
"published": "2026-04-14T18:30:42Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-32221"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-32221"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-QMCX-4R26-WCXG
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-11-11 18:30 – Updated: 2025-11-11 18:30
VLAI
Details
Illustrator versions 28.7.10, 29.8.2 and earlier are affected by a Heap-based Buffer Overflow vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file.
Severity
7.8 (High)
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-61820"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-122",
"CWE-787"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-11-11T18:15:41Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Illustrator versions 28.7.10, 29.8.2 and earlier are affected by a Heap-based Buffer Overflow vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file.",
"id": "GHSA-qmcx-4r26-wcxg",
"modified": "2025-11-11T18:30:22Z",
"published": "2025-11-11T18:30:22Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-61820"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/illustrator/apsb25-109.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-QMFC-CVQ2-HFWH
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-07-14 18:32 – Updated: 2026-07-14 18:32
VLAI
Details
Heap-based buffer overflow in Windows Resilient File System (ReFS) allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code locally.
Severity
7.8 (High)
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-50362"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-122"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-07-14T18:17:36Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Heap-based buffer overflow in Windows Resilient File System (ReFS) allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code locally.",
"id": "GHSA-qmfc-cvq2-hfwh",
"modified": "2026-07-14T18:32:18Z",
"published": "2026-07-14T18:32:18Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-50362"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-50362"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-QMP7-VWF7-6G2G
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-05-22 18:30 – Updated: 2024-07-03 18:43
VLAI
Details
Heap buffer overflow in ANGLE in Google Chrome prior to 125.0.6422.76 allowed a remote attacker to perform an out of bounds memory read via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)
Severity
8.8 (High)
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-5159"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-122",
"CWE-125"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-05-22T16:15:11Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Heap buffer overflow in ANGLE in Google Chrome prior to 125.0.6422.76 allowed a remote attacker to perform an out of bounds memory read via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)",
"id": "GHSA-qmp7-vwf7-6g2g",
"modified": "2024-07-03T18:43:15Z",
"published": "2024-05-22T18:30:42Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-5159"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2024/05/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_21.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://issues.chromium.org/issues/335613092"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/5KEVD4433KTOCYY6V4I7MMYKQ6URUS4L"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/FX6IYZ6XF7B2WE66NFPNI2NHWJFI6VDF"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-QP3W-HW9G-27H5
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-07-01 00:34 – Updated: 2026-07-01 18:31
VLAI
Details
Heap buffer overflow in WebNN in Google Chrome on Windows prior to 150.0.7871.47 allowed a remote attacker who had compromised the renderer process to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: Low)
Severity
8.8 (High)
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-14087"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-122",
"CWE-20",
"CWE-787"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-06-30T23:17:20Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Heap buffer overflow in WebNN in Google Chrome on Windows prior to 150.0.7871.47 allowed a remote attacker who had compromised the renderer process to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: Low)",
"id": "GHSA-qp3w-hw9g-27h5",
"modified": "2026-07-01T18:31:39Z",
"published": "2026-07-01T00:34:10Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-14087"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2026/06/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_0175352312.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://issues.chromium.org/issues/513177237"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-QPG4-J99F-8XCG
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-03-12 14:16 – Updated: 2026-03-12 14:16
VLAI
Summary
ImageMagick has heap buffer overflow in WriteXWDImage due to CARD32 arithmetic overflow in bytes_per_line calculation
Details
A 32-bit unsigned integer overflow in the XWD (X Windows) encoder can cause an undersized heap buffer allocation. When writing a extremely large image an out of bounds heap write can occur.
=================================================================
==741961==ERROR: AddressSanitizer: heap-buffer-overflow on address 0x5020000083dc at pc 0x56553b4c4245 bp 0x7ffd9d20fef0 sp 0x7ffd9d20fee0
WRITE of size 1 at 0x5020000083dc thread T0
Severity
6.8 (Medium)
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "NuGet",
"name": "Magick.NET-Q16-AnyCPU"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "14.10.4"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "NuGet",
"name": "Magick.NET-Q16-HDRI-AnyCPU"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "14.10.4"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "NuGet",
"name": "Magick.NET-Q16-HDRI-OpenMP-arm64"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "14.10.4"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "NuGet",
"name": "Magick.NET-Q16-HDRI-arm64"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "14.10.4"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "NuGet",
"name": "Magick.NET-Q16-HDRI-x64"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "14.10.4"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "NuGet",
"name": "Magick.NET-Q16-HDRI-x86"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "14.10.4"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "NuGet",
"name": "Magick.NET-Q16-OpenMP-arm64"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "14.10.4"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "NuGet",
"name": "Magick.NET-Q16-OpenMP-x64"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "14.10.4"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "NuGet",
"name": "Magick.NET-Q16-OpenMP-x86"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "14.10.4"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "NuGet",
"name": "Magick.NET-Q16-arm64"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "14.10.4"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "NuGet",
"name": "Magick.NET-Q16-x64"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "14.10.4"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "NuGet",
"name": "Magick.NET-Q16-x86"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "14.10.4"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "NuGet",
"name": "Magick.NET-Q16-HDRI-OpenMP-x64"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "14.10.4"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "NuGet",
"name": "Magick.NET-Q8-AnyCPU"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "14.10.4"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "NuGet",
"name": "Magick.NET-Q8-OpenMP-arm64"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "14.10.4"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "NuGet",
"name": "Magick.NET-Q8-OpenMP-x64"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "14.10.4"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "NuGet",
"name": "Magick.NET-Q8-arm64"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "14.10.4"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "NuGet",
"name": "Magick.NET-Q8-x64"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "14.10.4"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "NuGet",
"name": "Magick.NET-Q8-x86"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "14.10.4"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-30937"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-122"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2026-03-12T14:16:51Z",
"nvd_published_at": "2026-03-10T07:44:57Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "A 32-bit unsigned integer overflow in the XWD (X Windows) encoder can cause an undersized heap buffer allocation. When writing a extremely large image an out of bounds heap write can occur.\n\n```\n=================================================================\n==741961==ERROR: AddressSanitizer: heap-buffer-overflow on address 0x5020000083dc at pc 0x56553b4c4245 bp 0x7ffd9d20fef0 sp 0x7ffd9d20fee0\nWRITE of size 1 at 0x5020000083dc thread T0\n```",
"id": "GHSA-qpg4-j99f-8xcg",
"modified": "2026-03-12T14:16:51Z",
"published": "2026-03-12T14:16:51Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/ImageMagick/ImageMagick/security/advisories/GHSA-qpg4-j99f-8xcg"
},
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-30937"
},
{
"type": "PACKAGE",
"url": "https://github.com/ImageMagick/ImageMagick"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
],
"summary": "ImageMagick has heap buffer overflow in WriteXWDImage due to CARD32 arithmetic overflow in bytes_per_line calculation"
}
GHSA-QPJC-7C7H-Q87C
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-08-13 18:31 – Updated: 2024-08-13 18:31
VLAI
Details
Windows Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS) Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Severity
8.8 (High)
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-38154"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-122"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-08-13T18:15:21Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Windows Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS) Remote Code Execution Vulnerability",
"id": "GHSA-qpjc-7c7h-q87c",
"modified": "2024-08-13T18:31:16Z",
"published": "2024-08-13T18:31:16Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-38154"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2024-38154"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-QPJX-JQJ8-RQGR
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-08-13 18:31 – Updated: 2024-08-13 18:31
VLAI
Details
Windows IP Routing Management Snapin Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Severity
8.8 (High)
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-38115"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-122"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-08-13T18:15:12Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Windows IP Routing Management Snapin Remote Code Execution Vulnerability",
"id": "GHSA-qpjx-jqj8-rqgr",
"modified": "2024-08-13T18:31:16Z",
"published": "2024-08-13T18:31:16Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-38115"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2024-38115"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
Mitigation
Pre-design: Use a language or compiler that performs automatic bounds checking.
Mitigation
Architecture and Design
Use an abstraction library to abstract away risky APIs. Not a complete solution.
Mitigation MIT-10
Operation
Build and Compilation
Strategy: Environment Hardening
- Use automatic buffer overflow detection mechanisms that are offered by certain compilers or compiler extensions. Examples include: the Microsoft Visual Studio /GS flag, Fedora/Red Hat FORTIFY_SOURCE GCC flag, StackGuard, and ProPolice, which provide various mechanisms including canary-based detection and range/index checking.
- D3-SFCV (Stack Frame Canary Validation) from D3FEND [REF-1334] discusses canary-based detection in detail.
Mitigation MIT-11
Operation
Build and Compilation
Strategy: Environment Hardening
- Run or compile the software using features or extensions that randomly arrange the positions of a program's executable and libraries in memory. Because this makes the addresses unpredictable, it can prevent an attacker from reliably jumping to exploitable code.
- Examples include Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) [REF-58] [REF-60] and Position-Independent Executables (PIE) [REF-64]. Imported modules may be similarly realigned if their default memory addresses conflict with other modules, in a process known as "rebasing" (for Windows) and "prelinking" (for Linux) [REF-1332] using randomly generated addresses. ASLR for libraries cannot be used in conjunction with prelink since it would require relocating the libraries at run-time, defeating the whole purpose of prelinking.
- For more information on these techniques see D3-SAOR (Segment Address Offset Randomization) from D3FEND [REF-1335].
Mitigation
Implementation
Implement and perform bounds checking on input.
Mitigation
Implementation
Strategy: Libraries or Frameworks
Do not use dangerous functions such as gets. Look for their safe equivalent, which checks for the boundary.
Mitigation
Operation
Use OS-level preventative functionality. This is not a complete solution, but it provides some defense in depth.
CAPEC-92: Forced Integer Overflow
This attack forces an integer variable to go out of range. The integer variable is often used as an offset such as size of memory allocation or similarly. The attacker would typically control the value of such variable and try to get it out of range. For instance the integer in question is incremented past the maximum possible value, it may wrap to become a very small, or negative number, therefore providing a very incorrect value which can lead to unexpected behavior. At worst the attacker can execute arbitrary code.