CompTIA CASP+ Practice Test

What is the primary problem described related to the programming error in the mobile web-based code?

1. Data leakage

2. Buffer overflow

3. Input validation failure

4. Race condition

The correct answer is: Buffer overflow

The primary problem related to the programming error in the mobile web-based code is best described as a buffer overflow. A buffer overflow occurs when data written to a buffer exceeds its storage capacity, causing the excess data to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This can lead to unpredictable behavior, crashes, or security vulnerabilities, particularly in web applications. Buffer overflow issues are critical because they can allow attackers to manipulate the execution flow of a program, potentially giving them control over the system or allowing them to inject malicious code. In the context of mobile web applications, this can compromise the integrity and security of the application, leading to severe consequences for both the users and the application provider. While data leakage, input validation failure, and race conditions are all important security issues, they do not specifically relate to the behavior described by a buffer overflow. Data leakage typically concerns unauthorized access to sensitive information, input validation failures deal with improper checks on user input that can lead to injections, and race conditions involve the timing of events in concurrent systems that can create unexpected outcomes.