A Guide to Kernel Exploitation: Attacking the Core discusses the theoretical techniques and approaches needed to develop reliable and effective kernel-level exploits, and applies them to different operating systems, namely, UNIX derivatives, Mac OS X, and Windows. Concepts and tactics are presented categorically so that even when a specifically detailed vulnerability has been patched, the foundational information provided will help hackers in writing a newer, better attack; or help pen testers, auditors, and the like develop a more concrete design and defensive structure.

The book is organized into four parts. Part I introduces the kernel and sets out the theoretical basis on which to build the rest of the book. Part II focuses on different operating systems and describes exploits for them that target various bug classes. Part III on remote kernel exploitation analyzes the effects of the remote scenario and presents new techniques to target remote issues. It includes a step-by-step analysis of the development of a reliable, one-shot, remote exploit for a real vulnerability a bug affecting the SCTP subsystem found in the Linux kernel. Finally, Part IV wraps up the analysis on kernel exploitation and looks at what the future may hold.

• Covers a range of operating system families ― UNIX derivatives, Mac OS X, Windows
• Details common scenarios such as generic memory corruption (stack overflow, heap overflow, etc.) issues, logical bugs and race conditions
• Delivers the reader from user-land exploitation to the world of kernel-land (OS) exploits/attacks, with a particular focus on the steps that lead to the creation of successful techniques, in order to give to the reader something more than just a set of tricks

Table of Contents

Part I. Journey to Kernel Land

Chapter 1. From User-Land to Kernel-Land Attacks

Chapter 2. A Taxonomy of Kernel Vulnerabilities

Chapter 3. Stairway to Successful Kernel Exploitation

Part II. The UNIX Family, Mac OS X, and Windows

Chapter 4. The UNIX Family

Chapter 5. Mac OS X

Chapter 6. Windows

Part Ill. Remote Kernel Exploitation

Chapter 7. Facing the Challenges of Remote Kernel Exploitation

Chapter 8. Putting It All Together: A Linux Case Study

Part IV. Final Words

Chapter 9. Kernel Evolution: Future Forms of Attack and Defense

Review

"A very interesting book that not only exposes readers to kernel exploitation techniques, but also deeply motivates the study of operating systems internals, moving such study far beyond simple curiosity."--Golden G. Richard III, Ph.D., Professor of Computer Science, University of New Orleans and CTO, Digital Forensics Solutions, LLC

Review

About the Authors

Enrico Perla currently works as a kernel programmer at Oracle. He received his B.Sc. in Computer Science from the University of Torino, and his M.Sc. in Computer Science from Trinity College Dublin. His interests range from low-level system programming to low-level system attacking, exploiting, and exploit countermeasures.

Massimiliano Oldani currently works as a Security Consultant at Emaze Networks. His main research topics include operating system security and kernel vulnerabilities.