What can aid a buffer overflow attack when creating applications?

Standard libraries are often integral to application development and can inadvertently aid buffer overflow attacks. These libraries, which provide a wide range of pre-defined functions and procedures, may include functions that do not properly handle input size, allowing for insufficient bounds checking. For instance, functions like strcpy() or strcat() lack built-in protection against exceeding the allocated memory size, making them susceptible to overflow if used improperly.

When developers utilize standard libraries without a thorough understanding of their implications or when they rely on unsafe functions, the risk of introducing vulnerabilities, such as buffer overflows, increases. This is particularly prevalent in languages like C, where developers manage memory manually. Therefore, while standard libraries are designed for convenience and efficiency, they can also create security risks if not handled with caution.