💻 System Exploitation
Advanced exploitation techniques - From buffer overflows to custom exploit development
Advanced LevelOverview
System Exploitation is a fundamental aspect of security assessment, focusing on identifying and leveraging vulnerabilities in operating systems and applications. This comprehensive track covers the methodologies and techniques used in professional security assessments.
🔍 Professional Security Testing
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Learning Objectives
- Master buffer overflow exploitation techniques
- Develop expertise in privilege escalation on Linux and Windows
- Learn exploit development fundamentals
- Understand modern exploit mitigation bypasses
- Master return-oriented programming (ROP)
- Develop custom shellcode and payload crafting skills
💥 Buffer Overflow Exploitation
Stack-Based Buffer Overflows
Classical stack buffer overflow exploitation techniques and methodologies.
- Stack layout and function call mechanics
- EIP/RIP control and redirection
- Bad character identification
- JMP ESP and return address techniques
Heap-Based Exploitation
Advanced heap exploitation techniques for modern applications.
- Heap layout and allocation mechanisms
- Use-after-free exploitation
- Heap spraying techniques
- Double-free vulnerabilities
Format String Vulnerabilities
Exploiting format string bugs for code execution and information disclosure.
- Format string fundamentals
- Arbitrary memory read/write
- GOT overwrite techniques
- FORTIFY_SOURCE bypass methods
🐧 Linux Privilege Escalation
Kernel Exploitation
Linux kernel vulnerability identification and exploitation.
- Kernel version enumeration
- Local kernel exploit development
- Dirty COW and similar techniques
- SUID/SGID binary abuse
Service Exploitation
Exploiting misconfigured services for privilege escalation.
- Cron job manipulation
- Service binary hijacking
- Library injection attacks
- Systemd service abuse
Container Escapes
Breaking out of containerized environments.
- Docker container escape techniques
- Kubernetes privilege escalation
- Container runtime exploitation
- Namespace manipulation
🪟 Windows Privilege Escalation
Token Manipulation
Windows access token abuse for privilege escalation.
- Token impersonation techniques
- SeImpersonatePrivilege abuse
- Named pipe impersonation
- Token kidnapping attacks
Service Exploitation
Windows service-based privilege escalation techniques.
- Unquoted service path exploitation
- Service binary replacement
- DLL hijacking techniques
- Registry key manipulation
UAC Bypass Techniques
User Account Control bypass methods and techniques.
- UAC architecture understanding
- Fodhelper and similar bypasses
- DLL hijacking for UAC bypass
- Registry manipulation techniques
🔧 Exploit Development Fundamentals
Vulnerability Research
Systematic approach to finding and analyzing vulnerabilities.
- Fuzzing techniques and tools
- Static and dynamic analysis
- Code review methodologies
- Reverse engineering skills
Exploit Reliability
Developing reliable and stable exploits.
- Memory layout prediction
- ASLR and DEP bypass techniques
- Exploit stability improvements
- Cross-platform exploitation
Modern Mitigation Bypass
Bypassing modern exploit protection mechanisms.
- ASLR bypass techniques
- Stack canary circumvention
- CFI (Control Flow Integrity) bypass
- Intel CET bypass methods
🔄 Return-Oriented Programming (ROP)
ROP Chain Construction
Building ROP chains for code execution without executable memory.
- Gadget identification and chaining
- Stack pivot techniques
- System call invocation via ROP
- ROP chain debugging and refinement
JOP and COP Techniques
Jump-oriented and Call-oriented programming alternatives.
- JOP gadget discovery
- Call-oriented programming chains
- Hybrid ROP/JOP exploitation
- Advanced gadget chaining
Automated ROP Tools
Leveraging tools for automated ROP chain generation.
- ROPgadget and ropper usage
- Automatic chain generation
- Custom ROP compiler usage
- ROP chain optimization
🔥 Shellcode Development
Assembly Programming
Low-level assembly programming for shellcode creation.
- x86/x64 assembly fundamentals
- System call programming
- Position-independent code
- Null-byte free shellcode
Custom Payload Development
Creating specialized payloads for specific scenarios.
- Bind and reverse shell payloads
- Staged vs. stageless payloads
- Meterpreter payload customization
- Payload encoding techniques
Evasion Techniques
Developing shellcode that evades detection mechanisms.
- Antivirus evasion methods
- Polymorphic shellcode
- Encryption and obfuscation
- In-memory execution techniques
🧪 Hands-on Lab: Advanced Exploitation Challenge
Objective: Develop a complete exploit chain from buffer overflow to privilege escalation.
Duration: 10-12 hours
Skills Practiced: Buffer overflows, ROP chains, shellcode development, privilege escalation
Start Lab Exercise🛠️ Essential Tools
Debugging Tools
- GDB: GNU Debugger with pwndbg
- WinDbg: Windows kernel debugging
- x64dbg: Windows user-mode debugging
- Radare2: Reverse engineering framework
Exploitation Frameworks
- Metasploit: Exploitation framework
- pwntools: Python exploitation library
- ROPgadget: ROP gadget finder
- Ropper: ROP/JOP gadget finder
Privilege Escalation Tools
- LinEnum: Linux enumeration script
- WinPEAS: Windows privilege escalation
- PowerUp: PowerShell privilege escalation
- GTFOBins: Unix binary exploitation
📋 Recommended Resources
- The Shellcoder's Handbook - Comprehensive exploitation guide
- Hacking: The Art of Exploitation - Exploitation fundamentals
- Windows Internals - Deep Windows system knowledge
- Linux Kernel Development - Understanding Linux internals
- Practical Binary Analysis - Reverse engineering guide
🎯 Certification Alignment
eCPPTv2 & OSCP Requirements
This module covers advanced exploitation for professional certifications:
- ✅ Buffer Overflow Exploitation
- ✅ Privilege Escalation Techniques
- ✅ Manual Exploitation Methods
- ✅ Custom Payload Development
📈 Learning Progress
Track your system exploitation skills:
Complete the sections above to track your progress
Frequently Asked Questions
What is system exploitation?
System exploitation involves finding and leveraging vulnerabilities in operating systems and applications to gain unauthorized access or privileges.
What skills are covered in this roadmap?
Buffer overflows, privilege escalation, exploit development, and post-exploitation techniques.
Who should use this roadmap?
Anyone interested in advanced penetration testing or exploit development.