# Dangerous functions Format string exploits occur when a program writes user-supplied input to a formatted string, and the user is able to include formatting commands that are interpreted by the program. The following are some well-known C functions that are vulnerable to format string exploits: --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://www.ctfrecipes.com/pwn/stack-exploitation/format-string/dangerous-functions.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.