Master the CHFI Challenge 2026: Crack the Code and Become a Cyber Sleuth!

In a buffer overflow attack, the attacker primarily seeks to manipulate the target memory buffer to overwrite adjacent memory areas, which can include return addresses, function pointers, and control data within the process's address space. By overflowing a buffer, the attacker can gain control over what is executed next by the application, effectively altering the flow of execution to suit their malicious intentions.

When discussing the target process's address space, it encompasses the entire memory layout allocated to the process, including the stack, heap, and other segments. This includes the area where the buffer exists and any additional data or control structures that might be affected. By successfully executing a buffer overflow, the attacker can overwrite critical data structures that dictate the behavior of the target application, allowing them to inject and execute arbitrary code.

The other options pertain to concepts related to the attack but do not directly address the specific aspect that is being modified to achieve control over process execution. For instance, while the memory buffer is indeed the focus of the attack, it is the manipulation of the data within this buffer that allows the attacker to influence the broader address space of the target process.