smash the stack

2 definitions found

smash the stack - Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (26 May 2007) :

  smash the stack
  
     <jargon> In C programming, to corrupt the execution stack by
     writing past the end of a local array or other data structure.
     Code that smashes the stack can cause a return from the
     routine to jump to a random address, resulting in insidious
     data-dependent bugs.
  
     Variants include "trash" the stack, scribble the stack,
     mangle the stack.
  
     See spam; see also aliasing bug, fandango on core,
     memory leak, memory smash, precedence lossage, overrun screw
     .
  
     [Jargon File]
  
     (1995-03-16)
  

smash the stack - Jargon File (4.4.4, 14 Aug 2003) :

  smash the stack
   n.
  
     [C programming] To corrupt the execution stack by writing past the
  end
     of a local array or other data structure. Code that smashes the stack
     can cause a return from the routine to jump to a random address,
     resulting in some of the most insidious data-dependent bugs known to
     mankind. Variants include trash the stack, scribble the stack,
     mangle the stack; the term **mung the stack is not used, as this
     is never done intentionally. See spam; see also aliasing bug,
     fandango on core, memory leak, memory smash, precedence lossage
     , overrun screw.