Exploit Development
Creating exploits for security research and testing
Exploit Development is the process of researching vulnerabilities and creating code that can reliably trigger and leverage those vulnerabilities to achieve specific objectives.
Core Skills
- Assembly Language - Understanding low-level code execution
- Debugging - Using debuggers like GDB, WinDbg, x64dbg
- Reverse Engineering - Analyzing compiled code
- Memory Analysis - Understanding memory layouts and protections
- Scripting - Python, Ruby for automation
Exploit Types
- Stack-based buffer overflows
- Heap exploitation
- Return-oriented programming (ROP)
- Format string vulnerabilities
- Use-after-free exploits
Modern Mitigations
Understanding and bypassing:
- ASLR (Address Space Layout Randomization)
- DEP/NX (Data Execution Prevention)
- Stack canaries
- Control Flow Integrity (CFI)
- Sandboxing
Responsible Use
Exploit development skills should only be used for authorized security research, penetration testing, and improving defensive capabilities.
