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Showing posts from March 24, 2025

Reverse Engineering Techniques: Binary Analysis Mastery

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Mastering Binary Reverse Engineering Techniques Core Analysis Methodology Effective binary examination requires structured approach: ELF header verification Section header analysis Dynamic linking inspection Essential Tools readelf - Header/section analysis GDB - Runtime debugging objdump - Disassembly Practical Debugging Strategies Key GDB commands for effective analysis: break *main info registers x/10i $pc Optimized Workflow Tips Automate analysis with Python scripting Leverage GDB documentation Compare with PE format analysis FAQs How long does basic binary analysis take? Initial assessment typically requires 2-3 hours for standard executables Best entry point for beginners? Start with CTF challenges and small ELF binaries ...

How Computers Remember: Data Storage Made Simple

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๐Ÿง  How Computers Remember: Data Storage Made Simple Computer Memory Types Think of computer memory like different rooms in a house: ๐Ÿ“š Stack: Neat bookshelf (last-in, first-out) ๐Ÿงธ Heap: Toy box (items anywhere, needs cleanup) ๐Ÿ“ฆ Data Sections: Labeled storage boxes ๐Ÿ“š The Stack (Bookshelf Memory) Top of Shelf โ”Œโ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ” โ† Newest book โ”‚ Function โ”‚ โ”‚ Call #3 โ”‚ โ”œโ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”ค โ”‚ Function โ”‚ โ”‚ Call #2 โ”‚ โ”œโ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”ค โ”‚ Function โ”‚ โ”‚ Call #1 โ”‚ โ† Oldest book โ””โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”˜ Add/remove from top only! Uses push and pop commands. ๐Ÿงธ The Heap (Toy Box Memory) ๐Ÿ” Find space for big toys (malloc) ๐Ÿšฎ Clean up after playtime (free) โš ๏ธ Danger: Forget cleanup โ†’ messy room! (memory leaks) ...

How Programs Work: Functions & Memory Explained

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How Programs Work: Functions & Memory Explained How Programs Work: Functions & Memory Explained What's a Function? Think of functions like Lego blocks: Each block has a special job (add numbers, check passwords) Blocks snap together to make bigger programs You can examine one block without breaking others ๐Ÿ”„ Function Life Cycle Start: "Hey computer, run this block!" Work: Does its special job Finish: "I'm done, here's your result!" ๐Ÿ“š The Memory Stack Like stacking lunch boxes: โ”Œโ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ” โ”‚ Current โ”‚ โ† Top โ”‚ Function โ”‚ โ”œโ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”ค โ”‚ Previous โ”‚ โ”‚ Function โ”‚ โ””โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”˜ Last Added โ†’ First Removed (LIFO) ๐Ÿ” Reverse Engineering Tips L...

How Computer Programs Run on Linux

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How Computer Programs Run on Linux What's a Computer Program? Think of a program like a recipe. When you "run" it, the computer follows the instructions step by step. On Linux, we call this running recipe a process . Real Life Examples Web browser (like Firefox) Game (like Minecraft) Text editor (like Notepad) The Life of a Program ๐Ÿ“ฅ Loading: Computer copies the program from storage to memory ๐Ÿƒ Running: Computer follows the program's instructions ๐Ÿ›‘ Stopping: Program finishes or gets canceled Program Settings (Environment Variables) These are like special notes the program reads before starting: LANG=en_US - Sets language to English HOME=/users/bob - Shows where your files are stored How Programs Talk to the Computer Programs use special request...