Book Image

Learning Linux Binary Analysis

By : Ryan "elfmaster" O'Neill
5 (1)
Book Image

Learning Linux Binary Analysis

5 (1)
By: Ryan "elfmaster" O'Neill

Overview of this book

Learning Linux Binary Analysis is packed with knowledge and code that will teach you the inner workings of the ELF format, and the methods used by hackers and security analysts for virus analysis, binary patching, software protection and more. This book will start by taking you through UNIX/Linux object utilities, and will move on to teaching you all about the ELF specimen. You will learn about process tracing, and will explore the different types of Linux and UNIX viruses, and how you can make use of ELF Virus Technology to deal with them. The latter half of the book discusses the usage of Kprobe instrumentation for kernel hacking, code patching, and debugging. You will discover how to detect and disinfect kernel-mode rootkits, and move on to analyze static code. Finally, you will be walked through complex userspace memory infection analysis. This book will lead you into territory that is uncharted even by some experts; right into the world of the computer hacker.
Table of Contents (17 chapters)
Learning Linux Binary Analysis
Credits
About the Author
Acknowledgments
About the Reviewers
www.PacktPub.com
Preface
Index

Summary


The art of process memory forensics is a very specific aspect of forensic work. It obviously focuses primarily on memory pertaining to a process image, which is quite complicated even on its own, as it requires intricate knowledge about CPU registers, the stack, dynamic linking, and ELF as a whole.

Therefore, being proficient in inspecting a process for anomalies is truly an art and a skill that builds on itself through experience. This chapter served as a primer for the subject so that the beginner can get some insights into how they should get started. In the next chapter, we will be discussing process forensics, and you will learn how the ECFS technology can make it much easier.

After you have completed this chapter and the next, I recommend that you use some of the tools cited in this chapter to infect some processes on your system and experiment with the ways of detecting them.