While opening an email attachment, Pete, a customer, receives an error that the application has
encountered an unexpected issue and must be shut down. This could be an example of which of the
following attacks?

A.
Cross-site scripting

B.
Buffer overflow

C.
Header manipulation

D.
Directory traversal

Explanation:
When the user opens an attachment, the attachment is loaded into memory. The error is caused by a
memory issue due to a buffer overflow attack.
A buffer overflow occurs when a program or process tries to store more data in a buffer (temporary data
storage area) than it was intended to hold. Since buffers are created to contain a finite amount of data,
the extra information – which has to go somewhere – can overflow into adjacent buffers, corrupting or
overwriting the valid data held in them. Although it may occur accidentally through programming error,
buffer overflow is an increasingly common type of security attack on data integrity. In buffer overflow
attacks, the extra data may contain codes designed to trigger specific actions, in effect sending newinstructions to the attacked computer that could, for example, damage the user’s files, change data, or
disclose confidential information. Buffer overflow attacks are said to have arisen because the C
programming language supplied the framework, and poor programming practices supplied the
vulnerability.
Incorrect Answers:
A: Cross-site scripting (XSS) is a type of computer security vulnerability typically found in Web
applications. XSS enables attackers to inject client-side script into Web pages viewed by other users.
Cross-site scripting uses known vulnerabilities in web-based applications, their servers, or plug-in systems
on which they rely. Exploiting one of these, attackers fold malicious content into the content being
delivered from the compromised site. When the resulting combined content arrives at the client-side web
browser, it has all been delivered from the trusted source, and thus operates under the permissions
granted to that system. By finding ways of injecting malicious scripts into web pages, an attacker can gain
elevated access-privileges to sensitive page content, session cookies, and a variety of other information
maintained by the browser on behalf of the user. As XSS is a web based attack, it would require the user
to open a web page, not an email attachment.
C: A header manipulation attack uses other methods (hijacking, cross-site forgery, and so forth) to change
values in HTTP headers and falsify access. When used with XSRF, the attacker can even change a user’s
cookie. Internet Explorer 8 and above include InPrivate Filtering to help prevent some of this. By default,
your browser sends information to sites as they need it—think of requesting a map from a site; it needs
to know your location in order to give directions. With InPrivate Filtering, you can configure the browser
not to share information that can be captured and manipulated. As header manipulation is a web based
attack, it would require the user to open a web page, not an email attachment.
D: Directory traversal is a form of HTTP exploit in which a hacker uses the software on a Web server to
access data in a directory other than the server’s root directory. If the attempt is successful, the hacker
can view restricted files or even execute commands on the server.
Although some educated guesswork is involved in finding paths to restricted files on a Web server, a
skilled hacker can easily carry out this type of attack on an inadequately protected server by searching
through the directory tree. The risk of such attacks can be minimized by careful Web server
programming, the installation of software updates and patches, filtering of input from browsers, and the
use of vulnerability scanners. As directory traversal is a form of HTTP exploit, it would require the user to
open a web page, not an email attachment.
http://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/definition/buffer-overflow
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross-site_scripting
http://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/definition/directory-traversal
Dulaney, Emmett and Chuck Eastton, CompTIA Security+ Study Guide, 6th Edition, Sybex, Indianapolis,
2014, p. 340