Book Image

Binary Analysis Cookbook

By : Michael Born
Book Image

Binary Analysis Cookbook

By: Michael Born

Overview of this book

Binary analysis is the process of examining a binary program to determine information security actions. It is a complex, constantly evolving, and challenging topic that crosses over into several domains of information technology and security. This binary analysis book is designed to help you get started with the basics, before gradually advancing to challenging topics. Using a recipe-based approach, this book guides you through building a lab of virtual machines and installing tools to analyze binaries effectively. You'll begin by learning about the IA32 and ELF32 as well as IA64 and ELF64 specifications. The book will then guide you in developing a methodology and exploring a variety of tools for Linux binary analysis. As you advance, you'll learn how to analyze malicious 32-bit and 64-bit binaries and identify vulnerabilities. You'll even examine obfuscation and anti-analysis techniques, analyze polymorphed malicious binaries, and get a high-level overview of dynamic taint analysis and binary instrumentation concepts. By the end of the book, you'll have gained comprehensive insights into binary analysis concepts and have developed the foundational skills to confidently delve into the realm of binary analysis.
Table of Contents (12 chapters)

Validating a stack-based buffer overflow

My first passion, though I don't always have the time to partake in these activities, is to find and exploit stack-based buffer overflows. Ever since I learned how to work through this process of identifying a buffer overflow vulnerability, causing a crash, repeating the crash with a specialized payload pattern, identifying the offset, identifying bad characters, and finally writing the exploit, I have enjoyed sharing this knowledge with others.

Granted, there are more advanced versions nowadays that incorporate common defense mechanism bypasses, but still. To me, there are only a handful of things more satisfying than working through a simple buffer overflow. As silly as it sounds, it brings me great joy, especially when I can teach others. Then again, I'm a fan of working through disassembled instructions, IA32, and IA64 on...