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().
4096 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-GJGX-8HWJ-F6GQ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-06-10 18:32 – Updated: 2025-06-10 18:32
VLAI
Details
Heap-based buffer overflow in Windows Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS) allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.
Severity
8.8 (High)
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-33066"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-122"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-06-10T17:22:47Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Heap-based buffer overflow in Windows Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS) allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.",
"id": "GHSA-gjgx-8hwj-f6gq",
"modified": "2025-06-10T18:32:29Z",
"published": "2025-06-10T18:32:29Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-33066"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2025-33066"
}
],
"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-GJJX-FHHM-R5CV
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-06-16 21:31 – Updated: 2026-06-16 21:31
VLAI
Details
DNG SDK versions 1.7.1 2536 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-2026-47964"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-122"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-06-16T19:16:56Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "DNG SDK versions 1.7.1 2536 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-gjjx-fhhm-r5cv",
"modified": "2026-06-16T21:31:56Z",
"published": "2026-06-16T21:31:56Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-47964"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/dng-sdk/apsb26-67.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-GJV6-PFH4-3RFF
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-01-14 18:32 – Updated: 2025-10-31 15:30
VLAI
Details
Windows Hyper-V NT Kernel Integration VSP Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
Severity
7.8 (High)
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-21333"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-122"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-01-14T18:15:58Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Windows Hyper-V NT Kernel Integration VSP Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability",
"id": "GHSA-gjv6-pfh4-3rff",
"modified": "2025-10-31T15:30:29Z",
"published": "2025-01-14T18:32:05Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-21333"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2025-21333"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2025-21333"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/52436"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vicarius.io/vsociety/posts/cve-2025-21333-elevated-privilege-exposure-in-windows-hyper-v-by-microsoft-detection-script"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vicarius.io/vsociety/posts/cve-2025-21333-elevated-privilege-exposure-in-windows-hyper-v-by-microsoft-mitigation-script"
}
],
"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-GP56-RV82-RVFM
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-12-01 18:30 – Updated: 2025-12-01 21:30
VLAI
Details
A heap overflow in the MatroskaFile::createRTPSinkForTrackNumber() function of Live555 Streaming Media v2018.09.02 allows attackers to cause a Denial of Service (DoS) via supplying a crafted MKV file.
Severity
6.5 (Medium)
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-65406"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-122"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-12-01T17:15:50Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "A heap overflow in the MatroskaFile::createRTPSinkForTrackNumber() function of Live555 Streaming Media v2018.09.02 allows attackers to cause a Denial of Service (DoS) via supplying a crafted MKV file.",
"id": "GHSA-gp56-rv82-rvfm",
"modified": "2025-12-01T21:30:26Z",
"published": "2025-12-01T18:30:38Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-65406"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/rgaufman/live555"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://shimo.im/docs/1lq7rMrp8lI1vW3e"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-GPG6-84H3-CWV8
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-09-13 09:30 – Updated: 2024-09-13 09:30
VLAI
Details
After Effects versions 23.6.6, 24.5 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-2024-39380"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-119",
"CWE-122"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-09-13T09:15:03Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "After Effects versions 23.6.6, 24.5 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-gpg6-84h3-cwv8",
"modified": "2024-09-13T09:30:33Z",
"published": "2024-09-13T09:30:33Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-39380"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/after_effects/apsb24-55.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-GPJX-HC3R-XFQ8
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-05-12 18:30 – Updated: 2026-05-12 18:30
VLAI
Details
Heap-based buffer overflow in Windows Application Identity (AppID) Subsystem allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
Severity
7.8 (High)
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-34343"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-122"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-05-12T18:17:08Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Heap-based buffer overflow in Windows Application Identity (AppID) Subsystem allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.",
"id": "GHSA-gpjx-hc3r-xfq8",
"modified": "2026-05-12T18:30:42Z",
"published": "2026-05-12T18:30:42Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-34343"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-34343"
}
],
"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-GPM6-4FWC-9HHW
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-02-19 00:01 – Updated: 2022-02-27 00:00
VLAI
Details
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Bentley MicroStation CONNECT 10.16.0.80. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file. The specific flaw exists within the parsing of J2K images. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of the length of user-supplied data prior to copying it to a heap-based buffer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-15397.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-46603"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-122"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-02-18T20:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Bentley MicroStation CONNECT 10.16.0.80. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file. The specific flaw exists within the parsing of J2K images. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of the length of user-supplied data prior to copying it to a heap-based buffer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-15397.",
"id": "GHSA-gpm6-4fwc-9hhw",
"modified": "2022-02-27T00:00:22Z",
"published": "2022-02-19T00:01:15Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-46603"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.bentley.com/en/common-vulnerability-exposure/BE-2021-0006"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-22-190"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-GPRG-CXW4-4W2H
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-11-22 21:32 – Updated: 2024-11-22 21:32
VLAI
Details
Tungsten Automation Power PDF PDF File Parsing Heap-based Buffer Overflow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Tungsten Automation Power PDF. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file.
The specific flaw exists within the parsing of PDF files. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of the length of user-supplied data prior to copying it to a fixed-length heap-based buffer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-24400.
Severity
7.8 (High)
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-9734"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-122",
"CWE-787"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-11-22T21:15:26Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Tungsten Automation Power PDF PDF File Parsing Heap-based Buffer Overflow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Tungsten Automation Power PDF. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file.\n\nThe specific flaw exists within the parsing of PDF files. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of the length of user-supplied data prior to copying it to a fixed-length heap-based buffer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-24400.",
"id": "GHSA-gprg-cxw4-4w2h",
"modified": "2024-11-22T21:32:20Z",
"published": "2024-11-22T21:32:20Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-9734"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-24-1353"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-GQ5V-QF8Q-FP77
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-02-25 19:15 – Updated: 2026-02-25 19:15
VLAI
Summary
ImageMagick: Heap-based Buffer Overflow in GetPixelIndex due to metadata-cache desynchronization
Details
OpenPixelCache updates image channel metadata before attempting pixel cache memory allocation. When both memory and disk allocation fail a heap-buffer-overflow read in occurs in any writer that calls GetPixelIndex.
Severity
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "NuGet",
"name": "Magick.NET-Q16-AnyCPU"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "14.10.3"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "NuGet",
"name": "Magick.NET-Q16-HDRI-AnyCPU"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "14.10.3"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "NuGet",
"name": "Magick.NET-Q16-HDRI-OpenMP-arm64"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "14.10.3"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "NuGet",
"name": "Magick.NET-Q16-HDRI-OpenMP-x64"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "14.10.3"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "NuGet",
"name": "Magick.NET-Q16-HDRI-arm64"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "14.10.3"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "NuGet",
"name": "Magick.NET-Q16-HDRI-x64"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "14.10.3"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "NuGet",
"name": "Magick.NET-Q16-HDRI-x86"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "14.10.3"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "NuGet",
"name": "Magick.NET-Q16-OpenMP-arm64"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "14.10.3"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "NuGet",
"name": "Magick.NET-Q16-OpenMP-x64"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "14.10.3"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "NuGet",
"name": "Magick.NET-Q16-OpenMP-x86"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "14.10.3"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "NuGet",
"name": "Magick.NET-Q16-arm64"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "14.10.3"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "NuGet",
"name": "Magick.NET-Q16-x64"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "14.10.3"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "NuGet",
"name": "Magick.NET-Q16-x86"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "14.10.3"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "NuGet",
"name": "Magick.NET-Q8-AnyCPU"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "14.10.3"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "NuGet",
"name": "Magick.NET-Q8-OpenMP-arm64"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "14.10.3"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "NuGet",
"name": "Magick.NET-Q8-OpenMP-x64"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "14.10.3"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "NuGet",
"name": "Magick.NET-Q8-arm64"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "14.10.3"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "NuGet",
"name": "Magick.NET-Q8-x64"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "14.10.3"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "NuGet",
"name": "Magick.NET-Q8-x86"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "14.10.3"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-122",
"CWE-125"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2026-02-25T19:15:56Z",
"nvd_published_at": null,
"severity": "LOW"
},
"details": "`OpenPixelCache` updates image channel metadata **before** attempting pixel cache memory allocation. When both memory and disk allocation fail a heap-buffer-overflow read in occurs in any writer that calls `GetPixelIndex`.",
"id": "GHSA-gq5v-qf8q-fp77",
"modified": "2026-02-25T19:15:56Z",
"published": "2026-02-25T19:15:56Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/ImageMagick/ImageMagick/security/advisories/GHSA-gq5v-qf8q-fp77"
},
{
"type": "PACKAGE",
"url": "https://github.com/ImageMagick/ImageMagick"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/dlemstra/Magick.NET/releases/tag/14.10.3"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:L",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
],
"summary": "ImageMagick: Heap-based Buffer Overflow in GetPixelIndex due to metadata-cache desynchronization"
}
GHSA-GR5C-Q6RH-X7C6
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-01-15 21:31 – Updated: 2026-01-15 21:31
VLAI
Details
A heap overflow in the uncv_parse_config() function of GPAC v2.4.0 allows attackers to cause a Denial of Service (DoS) via a crafted MP4 file.
Severity
5.5 (Medium)
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-70303"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-122"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-01-15T19:16:04Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "A heap overflow in the uncv_parse_config() function of GPAC v2.4.0 allows attackers to cause a Denial of Service (DoS) via a crafted MP4 file.",
"id": "GHSA-gr5c-q6rh-x7c6",
"modified": "2026-01-15T21:31:47Z",
"published": "2026-01-15T21:31:47Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-70303"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/zakkanijia/POC/blob/main/gpac_uncv/GPAC_UNCV_CPAT.md"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/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.