The executable and linking format, or ELF for short, and its widespread use on Linux is the focus of this book. In this recipe, we will learn how to extract the important pieces of information in regards to the ELF specification as we dive into analyzing the binaries in this book. While there will be a heavy emphasis on disassembly throughout the later recipes in this book, the information that we'll gain by knowing the ELF specification will only aid us in gathering the information that's necessary for us to understand the important parts of any binary we analyze.
I also want to be clear that this particular recipe could have been expanded into a book itself, but I intentionally condensed the ELF 32-bit specification down to the absolutely necessary information for working through the later recipes. I encourage you to read the...