An out-of-memory error occurs when a program cannot allocate the memory it needs to continue. The software may stop, return an error, or enter an unexpected state while handling the failure. Memory exhaustion can result from legitimate workload, a leak, or requests designed to consume resources.
In cyber security, the way an application handles this condition matters: unsafe cleanup or interrupted initialization can leave internal state inconsistent and potentially expose vulnerabilities. Attackers may trigger memory pressure with crafted requests, while defenders monitor resource use and error logs, apply software updates, and test failure handling. An out-of-memory error alone does not prove an attack or compromise; it is a signal to investigate the cause and whether the application remained safe.