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.