Exploit Development for Linux x64 from Udemy

This course teaches exploit development for Linux (x86_64). This course introduces students to the exploit development concepts associated with Linux x86_64 binaries. This is an entry level to intermediate level course and we encourage you to take this course if you are interested to learn exploit development specifically for 64 bit intel processors. However, remember that the course involves a lot of assembly language and debugging using a debugger. So, you need patience and passion to learn the concepts taught in the course. This course makes use of a variety of techniques on exploit development and brace yourself if you are willing to learn by sitting in front of a computer. After successfully completing this course, you will be ready to attempt several industry leading practical cyber security certification exams.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

Students will learn assembly language fundamentals for x64 processors
Students will learn how to write shellcode on linux for x64 processors

Students will learn practical linux exploit development concepts for x64 processors
Students will learn how to bypass linux exploit mitigation techniques such as nx, stack cookies and aslr

Students will learn assembly language fundamentals for x64 processors
Students will learn how to write shellcode on linux for x64 processors
Students will learn practical linux exploit development concepts for x64 processors
Students will learn how to bypass linux exploit mitigation techniques such as nx, stack cookies and aslr

Syllabus

Introduction

XOR instruction

x64 Assembly Crash Course

MOV Instruction

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Covers exploit mitigation techniques like NX, Stack Cookies, and ASLR, which are essential for modern cybersecurity

Teaches assembly language fundamentals for x64 processors, which is a core skill for reverse engineering and vulnerability analysis

Requires patience and passion for assembly language and debugging, which may be a barrier for some learners

Prepares learners to attempt industry-leading practical cybersecurity certification exams, enhancing their career prospects

Explores return-oriented programming (ROP) to bypass NX, which is a common technique in exploit development

Focuses on Linux x64, which is a relevant platform for server-side and embedded systems exploitation

Reviews summary

Practical linux x64 exploit development

Learners say this course provides a strong foundation in Linux x64 exploit development, particularly praising its hands-on labs and practical examples. Many found the explanations of complex topics like assembly, shellcode, and ROP chains to be clear and effective. However, some learners felt the pace was fast and it assumed significant prior knowledge, making it challenging for beginners. A few reviewers noted issues with audio clarity or environment setup, although more recent reviews don't emphasize these points as strongly. Overall, students describe it as a valuable resource for those dedicated to learning this technical subject.

Explanations are clear for most.

"instructor breaks down complex concepts... into understandable pieces."

"The course covers stack overflows, NX bypass, ASLR, and ROP effectively."

"The explanations of mitigation bypasses were thorough."

"The explanations of stack cookies and ASLR bypass were clear."

"Covers the core concepts needed."

Hands-on exercises solidify learning.

"The hands-on labs are incredibly useful and solidify the theory."

"The focus on practical examples and shellcode writing is spot on."

"Highly practical and hands-on. The course structure flows well..."

"Debugging exercises were tough but taught me a lot."

Some technical issues reported.

"...instructor's accent and sometimes unclear audio made it hard to follow."

"...setting up the environment was frustrating."

"Terrible audio quality, hard to understand the instructor."

"Labs are buggy or require specific outdated setups."

"Setting up the lab environment was straightforward for me."

Requires prior knowledge; pace can be fast.

"...definitely need prior programming experience."

"Found this course very difficult. Assumes too much prior knowledge, even for an intermediate course."

"The pace is too fast and the explanations aren't always detailed enough..."

"Not recommended for beginners or even intermediate learners unless you already know a lot."

"The ROP section was a bit fast-paced."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Exploit Development for Linux x64 with these activities:

Review x86-64 Assembly Fundamentals

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Reinforce your understanding of x86-64 assembly language, which is crucial for understanding exploit development concepts.

Browse courses on Assembly Language

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Review assembly language concepts such as registers, instructions, and memory addressing.
Practice writing simple assembly programs.
Debug assembly code using a debugger like GDB.

Read 'Hacking: The Art of Exploitation'

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Supplement your learning with a comprehensive guide to exploit development.

View Hacking: The Art of Exploitation, 2nd Edition on Amazon

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Read the chapters related to assembly language and exploit development.
Try the examples and exercises in the book.
Research any unfamiliar concepts or techniques.

Write a Blog Post on Exploit Mitigation Techniques

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Solidify your understanding of exploit mitigation techniques by writing a blog post explaining them.

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Research different exploit mitigation techniques like NX, Stack Cookies, and ASLR.
Write a clear and concise explanation of each technique.
Provide examples of how these techniques can be bypassed.
Publish the blog post on a platform like Medium or your own website.

Four other activities

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Practice Shellcoding

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Sharpen your shellcoding skills by writing and testing shellcode for various tasks.

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Write shellcode to execute a simple command like 'ls'.
Write shellcode to establish a reverse TCP connection.
Write shellcode that avoids null bytes.
Test the shellcode in a controlled environment.

Develop a Simple Exploit

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Apply your knowledge by developing a simple exploit for a vulnerable program.

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Find a vulnerable program or create your own.
Analyze the program to identify a vulnerability.
Write an exploit to trigger the vulnerability and gain control of the program.
Test the exploit in a controlled environment.

Read 'Practical Binary Analysis'

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Deepen your understanding of binary analysis techniques.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

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Read the chapters related to reverse engineering and vulnerability analysis.
Practice using tools like IDA Pro and Ghidra.
Analyze real-world binaries to identify vulnerabilities.

Contribute to an Open-Source Security Project

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Gain practical experience by contributing to an open-source security project related to exploit development.

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Find an open-source security project on platforms like GitHub.
Identify a bug or feature that you can contribute to.
Submit a pull request with your changes.
Participate in code reviews and discussions.

Career center

Learners who complete Exploit Development for Linux x64 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Exploit Developer

An Exploit Developer creates code that takes advantage of vulnerabilities in software or systems. Given that this course is titled "Exploit Development for Linux x64", it is a natural fit for those wanting to build a career developing exploits. The course's focus on assembly language fundamentals, writing shellcode, and bypassing exploit mitigation techniques are all essential skills for an Exploit Developer. This course helps you gain the practical knowledge and skills needed to write and deploy exploits on Linux x64 systems. The extensive syllabus ensures you're well-versed in this career.

See salaries and explore the career path for Exploit Developer

Vulnerability Researcher

A Vulnerability Researcher's work involves identifying and analyzing weaknesses in software and systems. This course on exploit development for Linux x64 is directly relevant, as it provides hands on experience with techniques used to uncover vulnerabilities. Completing this course helps you understand how exploits work, allowing you to anticipate and prevent them. Specifically, the course's modules on exploit mitigation bypasses and return oriented programming are invaluable for understanding the strategies used to exploit vulnerabilities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Vulnerability Researcher

Penetration Tester

Penetration Testers, sometimes called ethical hackers, assess the security of systems by simulating attacks. You can perform this job across a wide variety of industries. They are hired to proactively discover vulnerabilities that malicious actors might exploit. This course directly helps you build the skills to find and exploit weaknesses. A course like this equips you to think like an attacker, which is an integral part of effective penetration testing. The course content on Linux exploit development, assembly language, and exploit mitigation bypasses are directly applicable to the tools and techniques used in profession.

See salaries and explore the career path for Penetration Tester

Reverse Engineer

Reverse Engineers analyze software to understand how it works, often without access to the source code. This course helps you develop skills that are crucial for reverse engineering, such as understanding assembly language and exploit development techniques. The course's focus on x64 architecture and debugging provides a solid foundation for disassembling and analyzing binaries. This course's materials on Linux exploit mitigation techniques may allow you to better understand how software is designed to resist tampering and reverse engineering.

See salaries and explore the career path for Reverse Engineer

Malware Analyst

Malware Analysts dissect and analyze malicious software to understand its functionality and impact. A course on exploit development for Linux x64 helps you understand how malware exploits vulnerabilities and spreads through systems. The course content on assembly language, shellcode, and exploit mitigation bypasses are highly relevant to analyzing sophisticated malware. Studying this course helps to equip you with the skills to reverse engineer malware, identify its capabilities, and develop effective countermeasures. The time dedicated to assembly language is particularly useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Malware Analyst

Security Architect

Security Architects design and implement an organization's security infrastructure. This includes selecting and configuring security technologies, as well as defining security policies and procedures. This course helps you understand the mindset of attackers, allowing you to design more robust and resilient systems. The focus on exploit mitigation techniques directly informs the design of security controls that can prevent or detect exploitation attempts. A comprehensive understanding of the topics covered in this course is invaluable.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Architect

Security Engineer

Security Engineers are centrally involved in protecting computer systems and networks. This work includes designing, implementing, and managing security measures. The knowledge gained from this course provides a deep understanding of how exploits work, enabling you to design more effective defenses. This course on exploit development helps you to anticipate potential attacks and strengthen system security. The curriculum's focus on exploit mitigation techniques is directly applicable to building robust security architectures, particularly in Linux environments.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Engineer

Cybersecurity Analyst

Cybersecurity Analysts monitor and analyze security events to detect and respond to threats. This course on exploit development helps you understand the methods attackers use, enabling you to better identify and respond to intrusions. The course's focus on Linux x64 binaries and exploit mitigation techniques offer valuable context for interpreting security alerts and incident reports. Learning about return oriented programming from these courses help you understand more sophisticated attack patterns and improve threat detection capabilities. This course is particularly useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cybersecurity Analyst

Security Consultant

Security Consultants advise organizations on how to improve their security posture. They assess risks, recommend security measures, and implement solutions. Completing a course on exploit development provides credibility and expertise in understanding potential vulnerabilities. This course's coverage of exploit techniques and mitigation strategies helps you develop effective security strategies. This may be useful in helping clients understand the risks they face and make informed decisions about security investments.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Consultant

Cloud Security Engineer

Cloud Security Engineers specialize in securing cloud based systems and applications. This course on exploit development for Linux x64 could be valuable for understanding the attack vectors that may target cloud environments. The course's content on Linux exploit development, assembly language, and exploit mitigation bypasses may help you design and implement security measures to protect cloud infrastructure. Gaining a good understanding of the skills taught in this course may improve your ability to secure cloud based systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Security Engineer

System Administrator

System Administrators are responsible for maintaining and securing computer systems and servers. You may find that this course is useful for you to anticipate potential attacks. The course content on Linux exploit development and mitigation techniques helps you implement appropriate security measures. The course may help you protect your systems from exploitation. The practical knowledge gained helps you better understand how vulnerabilities can be exploited and how to harden systems against such attacks.

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Firmware Engineer

Firmware Engineers develop low level software that controls hardware devices. Because firmware is often a target for attackers, understanding exploit development is crucial for building secure devices. This course may help you understand potential vulnerabilities in firmware. The course content on assembly language and exploit techniques may help you develop more secure firmware. The focus on x64 architecture is particularly relevant.

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Software Developer

While Software Developers primarily focus on creating software, understanding exploit development can help them write more secure code. A course on exploit development helps you appreciate potential vulnerabilities and implement preventative measures. The focus on assembly language and exploit mitigation techniques, may help you write code that is less susceptible to attack. This course may be particularly valuable for developers working on security critical applications or systems.

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Information Security Manager

Information Security Managers are responsible for overseeing an organization's information security program. While they may not be directly involved in technical tasks like exploit development, understanding exploit techniques is valuable for making informed decisions about security investments and policies. This course on exploit development may give you a deeper appreciation for the risks that organizations face. The material included in this course may improve your ability to allocate resources effectively and prioritize security initiatives.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Manager

Embedded Systems Engineer

Embedded Systems Engineers design and develop the software and hardware for embedded systems. A course on exploit development may give you insights into potential security vulnerabilities in embedded devices. The course content covering assembly language and exploit mitigation techniques may help you build more secure embedded systems. The focus on exploit development may also improve your ability to identify and address security flaws during the development process.

See salaries and explore the career path for Embedded Systems Engineer

Exploit Development for Linux x64

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Practical linux x64 exploit development

Activities

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