10 Questions
What is the primary function of a stack?
To store and retrieve data
What is the difference between a vulnerability and an exploit?
A vulnerability is a weakness in a system, while an exploit is a way to take advantage of it
What is the purpose of shellcode?
To execute a malicious program
What is the implication of an integer overflow?
It wraps around to a positive or negative value
What is the purpose of GDB?
To debug a program and inspect its memory
What is the difference between a stack and a heap?
A stack is used for temporary storage, while a heap is used for permanent storage
What is the purpose of fuzzing?
To test a program's security
What is the purpose of a buffer?
To store temporary data
What is the purpose of format strings?
To format output data
What is the purpose of ASLR?
To prevent buffer overflow attacks
Study Notes
Week 1: C Language and GDB Tool
- C Language function syntax,
mainfunction syntax, and arguments - Data types:
integer,float,char,arrays, and declarations - Pointers and notation
- Input and output
- Conditionals and looping
- GDB Tool: executing with an executable file, listing and disassembling (
disas), breakpoints, and register inspection - Vulnerability and exploit definitions: difference between a vulnerability and exploit (and zero day)
Week 2: Integer Overflow
- Integer types: 8-bit equal to
char, signed or unsigned - Limits available as MACRO constants
- Byte sizes of types
- Effect of integer overflow: wrapping around positive or negative
- Implications in reality: usually triggered in loop iteration
- C Language: variable scope and variable types
Week 3: Stacks and Buffers
- Principle of a stack: stack frame organization, function entry and exit sequence
- How stacks work during execution and debugging in GDB
- Buffer and overflow principles: beneficial to a threat actor
- How buffers can be viewed in GDB: examples from lab
Week 4: Vulnerable Functions and Shellcode
- Vulnerable functions:
gets,strcpy,strcat,sprintf - Safer alternatives to these functions
- Shellcode: aim, usage, and how it works
Week 5: Format Strings
- Strings vs format strings: format string specifiers
- Functions:
printfandsprintf - What makes format strings vulnerable: properties
- Exploit setup: where does it read from initially?
Week 7: Heap Properties
- Heap properties and layout: vs the stack
- Functions using heap space: relation to the stack with variables
- Structure: chunks
Week 8: Fuzzing Principles
- Fuzzing principles: why and types
- Phases and methods of fuzzing
- Tools used in fuzzing
Week 9: More Fuzzing
- More fuzzing principles: issues with fuzzing approaches
- Code coverage: AFL tool
Week 10: Non-Executable Stack and Security
- Non-executable stack and implications
- Overrides: W^X, stack canaries, and ASLR
Test your knowledge of C programming basics, including function syntax, data types, and pointers, as well as security concepts like vulnerability and exploit. Also covers GDB tool and integer overflow.
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