Which of the following is a potential consequence of a buffer overflow vulnerability?

A buffer overflow vulnerability occurs when a program, while writing data to a buffer, exceeds the boundaries of that buffer. As a result, the overflowed data can overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially leading to unexpected behavior. One potential consequence of this vulnerability is that an attacker could exploit the overflow to execute arbitrary code on the target system.

When an attacker manages to overwrite the memory space with their own code, they may redirect the execution flow of the program to their code. This can allow attackers to gain unauthorized access, escalate privileges, or manipulate the system for malicious purposes.

In contrast, data encryption, increase in network speed, and enhanced user access control do not directly relate to the nature of a buffer overflow vulnerability. Data encryption is a security measure designed to protect information, while increased network speed and enhanced user access control are unrelated to the mechanisms or consequences of buffer overflow attacks. Understanding this context is crucial in recognizing how buffer overflow vulnerabilities can be exploited and the risks they pose in cybersecurity.