Vulnerability Research

What is Vulnerability Research and Exploitation?

Vulnerability research is the process of identifying, analyzing and trying to exploit weaknesses in computer systems and software. Exploit development is the creation of tools or code that can take advantage of these vulnerabilities to gain access to or damage a system. Vulnerability research is an important part of security for both companies and individuals. By finding and publicizing vulnerabilities, researchers can help make systems and software more secure. They can also help find ways to protect against future attacks. Exploit development is a more controversial activity.

Free Video Course

Are you interested in learning more about vulnerability research and exploitation? Then our free video course is perfect for you! Our comprehensive course covers everything from the fundamentals of security and vulnerability assessments to the latest techniques in exploitation and attack techniques. You’ll learn the ins and outs of identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities, as well as how to use various tools and techniques to develop your own exploits. It’s a great way to get up to speed with the latest trends in the field, and you’ll have the skills and knowledge to be a successful security researcher.

Chapter 1: Introduction

Vulnerability research is an important field in the world of information security. It involves exploring system weaknesses and vulnerabilities and then developing solutions to fix those weaknesses. In this video course, we will be exploring the key terminology relevant to vulnerability research, explaining why and how it is done, setting up a lab environment to conduct research, and exploring the tools used to perform vulnerability research. By the end of the course, you will have a good understanding of the key concepts, techniques, and tools used in vulnerability research.

• Why do researchers perform vulnerability research?

• Understanding the key terms in vulnerability research

• How do researchers perform vulnerability research?

• Setting up a vulnerability research lab

• What are the main tools we use in vulnerability research?

Chapter 2: Windows Internals

In this section of the video course, we delve into the intricate world of Windows Internals. Gain a comprehensive understanding of the inner workings of the Windows operating system, exploring its architecture, kernel components, memory management, process and thread management, and more. By delving into Windows Internals, you will gain valuable insights into how the operating system functions at a fundamental level.

• Kernel mode vs. user mode

• Windows Processes

• Windows Threads

• Windows Services

• Access Control Lists

• Users and Groups

• Shared Memory

• Drivers

• Virtual Memory

• Jobs

• Objects and Handles

• Registry

• Elevation

• Access Tokens

• Remote Procedure Calls

• Windows APIs and System Calls

Articles

Windows

Windows is a popular operating system used by many individuals and organizations around the world. Given its widespread use, Windows is often the target of malicious actors who seek to exploit vulnerabilities for a variety of purposes. As such, Windows vulnerability research and exploit development is a critical area of focus for the security community. There are a number of ways to conduct Windows vulnerability research and exploit development.

• Windows Exploitation: SEH based overflow

• Basic Windows Shellcoding

• Windows Egg-Hunting

• Windows Universal Shellcoding x86

• Hands on Windows Shellcoding: Create ROP via mona.py

• Windows Exploit Countermeasures: Part 1

• Windows Exploitation: Stack Overflow Part 1

• Windows Exploitation: Stack Overflow Part 2

• Powershell Shellcoding: Part 1

• Powershell Shellcoding: Part 2

• DLL Injection

Linux

Linux is a popular operating system that is often used for servers and other high-powered computers. However, like any operating system, it is not immune to vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities can be exploited by malicious actors in order to gain access to sensitive data or systems. Researchers who wish to study Linux vulnerabilities and develop exploits for them must have a good understanding of the operating system and how it works. They must also be familiar with common security vulnerabilities and how to exploit them.

• Introduction to Linux binary exploitation - Part 1

• Linux Exploitation: Stack Smashing

• Linux Exploitation: Abusing EIP

• Linux Exploitation: Evading Exploit Protection

• Linux Exploitation: Basic Linux Shellcoding

• Linux Exploitation: Linux Reverse TCP Shellcode

• Linux Exploitation: x64 shellcode

• Linux Exploitation: Format String Vulnerabilities and Exploitation

• Linux ROP Exploitation Example

• Linux Exploitation: Advanced Exploit Protection Evasion

Workflow

What is a workflow?

A workflow is a series of steps that are followed in order to complete an engagement. In penetration testing, a workflow is important in order to ensure that all steps are followed in order to complete the testing process. By following a workflow, penetration testers can ensure that they are thorough in their testing and that they do not miss any important steps.

The image below proposes a workflow you can use to learn vulnerability research:

Articles:

• Introduction to the Vulnerability Research and Exploitation Workflow

• Using Contextual Analysis to decide on a target software for vulnerability research