Executing data in RAM, not on disk

I want a program to ``download'' an executable payload, but only keeping it in RAM, not writing to disk. Then I want it to execute what it just downloaded. So instead of saving it as a file and then executing it, I want the program to be able to execute what's running in RAM, possibly being stored as a string or something. Is this possible or am I just stupid?

The only thing I can think of would be a virtual RAM drive or in-memory database but that's way too complex and would make the downloader too big. I am looking for a more compact and portable solution.

>>1
Mark the pages as executable:
https://linux.die.net/man/2/mmap

>>1
Just manually do what the OS would do when loading an executable.
https://wiki.osdev.org/ELF
https://wiki.osdev.org/PE

Use a virtual machine with a hard disk that’s mapped to memory instead of a physical disk.

Attach Python executable to your downloader, send the payload as source, interpret it on host machine.

>>4

Use a virtual machine

not compact
you can't embed a VM in a PDF or maldoc without it either exceeding email attachment size upload restrictions or just alerting someone to how sketchy it is
>>5
what kind of a footprint is that? would it have to contain all its dependencies, or rely on system stuff? because not all computers have python installed

>>2,3
this might be the right direction for me, thanks for the info

Stop trying to hack the world.

>>8
I'm not hacking, this is purely for academic pursuit

I think about the theoretical, but theoretical alone isn't good enough. That's why you need to make a proof of concept when you have an idea for something. It can be rough around the edges, but it needs to demonstrate the basic concept. Then you go from "what if" to "look at this, I can prove my idea" and it's great. It's a very liberating and empowering feeling. Programming helps with self-actualization.