Systems Exploitation & Malware Development

A Structured Pathway to Mastering Exploits, Reverse Engineering, and Advanced Malware Tactics

Phase 1: Foundations

Objective: To establish a solid understanding of computer systems, networking, and programming—essential groundwork for malware and exploit development.

1. Computer Systems & Networking Basics

  • Resource: Computer Systems: A Programmer's Perspective

  • Purpose: Introduces how systems operate at the hardware and software levels, essential for understanding vulnerabilities and low-level operations.

  • Topics: CPU architecture, memory management, processes, networking protocols (TCP/IP, DNS, HTTP), client-server model.

2. Programming Fundamentals

  • Resource:

    • C: The C Programming Language by Kernighan & Ritchie

    • Python: Automate the Boring Stuff with Python

    • C++: W3schools

  • Purpose: Learn to write programs that interact directly with memory and systems, and automate tasks.

  • Topics: C memory management, file I/O, socket programming, scripting, process control.

3. Operating System Internals

  • Resource:

    • Linux: Linux Journey

    • Windows: Windows Internals by Mark Russinovich

  • Purpose: Understanding OS behavior and internals is critical for exploitation and persistence techniques.

  • Topics: Syscalls, services, permissions, Windows registry, Linux file system hierarchy.

4. Command Line and Scripting Essentials

  • Resource: OverTheWire: Bandit

  • Purpose: Build confidence using the shell and scripting—skills often used in malware automation or reverse shells.

  • Topics: Bash scripting, CLI tools, file and process management.

Expected Outcome: By the end of this phase, learners will be comfortable with systems internals, C and Python programming, basic networking, and OS-level scripting—foundational for further exploit and malware development.

Phase 2: Vulnerability Research

Objective: Learn how software breaks by studying bugs and vulnerabilities, focusing on memory corruption and binary analysis.

1. Binary Exploitation Fundamentals

  • Resource: pwn.college

  • Purpose: Learn to identify and exploit memory-based vulnerabilities through interactive challenges.

  • Topics: Stack overflows, format string vulnerabilities, buffer overflows, intro to shellcoding.

2. Reverse Engineering Basics

  • Resource: Ghidra, IDA Free, x64dbg

  • Purpose: Teaches how to analyze binary executables to discover bugs and understand malware.

  • Topics: Static vs dynamic analysis, control flow, function signatures, anti-debugging techniques.

3. Using Debuggers and Exploit Development Tools

  • Resource: Immunity Debugger with Mona.py, GDB, radare2

  • Purpose: Learn hands-on debugging, breakpoint setting, and stack/frame inspection.

  • Topics: Stack inspection, SEH exploitation, return address control, crash analysis.

4. CTF Practice and Vulnerable Machines

  • Resource: Hack The Box, TryHackMe

  • Purpose: Apply binary exploitation and reverse engineering skills in real-world simulated environments.

  • Topics: Privilege escalation, buffer overflow chains, vulnerable binaries.

Expected Outcome: By the end of this phase, learners will understand core vulnerability types, how to identify and exploit them, and how to reverse engineer software for analysis or attack development.

Phase 3: Exploit Development

Objective: Learn how to write functional exploits and shellcode, bypass modern defenses, and create working Proof of Concepts (PoCs).

1. Shellcoding and Custom Payloads

  • Resource: Shellcoder’s Handbook, PayloadsAllTheThings

  • Purpose: Learn how to write assembly shellcode to achieve code execution.

  • Topics: Writing shellcode in Assembly, encoding/decoding, execve shell, Windows APIs.

2. Bypassing Defenses (DEP, ASLR, SEH)

  • Resource: Corelan Exploit Development Series

  • Purpose: Master techniques to bypass OS-level defenses.

  • Topics: Return Oriented Programming (ROP), Structured Exception Handler (SEH) exploitation, NOP sleds.

3. Exploit Development for Known Vulnerabilities

  • Resource: Exploit-DB

  • Purpose: Learn to write real-world PoCs for disclosed vulnerabilities.

  • Topics: Fuzzing, CVE reproduction, buffer manipulation, ROP chain building.

4. Metasploit and Exploitation Frameworks

  • Resource: Metasploit Unleashed by Offensive Security

  • Purpose: Understand how to develop and use modules in professional-grade exploitation frameworks.

  • Topics: Module structure, payload integration, local/remote exploitation.

Expected Outcome: By the end of this phase, learners will be capable of writing functional exploits, understanding protection bypasses, and contributing to frameworks like Metasploit or writing custom shellcode.

Phase 4: Malware Development

Objective: Create and analyze malware with different capabilities, focusing on persistence, stealth, and command-and-control.

1. Windows Malware Fundamentals

  • Resource: Practical Malware Development

  • Purpose: Learn how to develop malicious code for the Windows environment.

  • Topics: DLL injection, keyloggers, fileless malware, Windows API abuse.

2. Persistence and Evasion Techniques

  • Resource: Red Team Operator Handbook, LOLBAS Project

  • Purpose: Learn how malware maintains access and evades detection.

  • Topics: Registry persistence, process hollowing, packing, AMSI bypass, antivirus evasion.

3. Command and Control (C2) Infrastructure

  • Resource: Cobalt Strike, Sliver Framework

  • Purpose: Learn how attackers remotely control infected hosts and exfiltrate data.

  • Topics: Reverse shells, beaconing, encryption, obfuscation.

4. Cross-platform Malware (Go, Rust, PowerShell)

  • Resource: Malware Development in Go by Didier Stevens

  • Purpose: Build malware for multiple platforms using modern languages.

  • Topics: Static binaries, evasion through language choice, PowerShell obfuscation.

Expected Outcome: By the end of this phase, learners will be able to write and understand fully functional malware across multiple platforms, with C2 capabilities and evasion techniques.

Phase 5: Advanced Topics

Objective: Dive into complex attack vectors including kernel-level exploitation, rootkits, and advanced malware analysis.

1. Kernel Exploitation Basics

  • Resource: A Guide to Kernel Exploitation by Enrico Perla

  • Purpose: Explore low-level vulnerabilities and exploit development inside kernel space.

  • Topics: Kernel modules, syscall abuse, Windows driver exploitation, privilege escalation.

2. Rootkit Development

  • Resource: Rootkits: Subverting the Windows Kernel

  • Purpose: Understand and develop stealth malware that hides within the OS itself.

  • Topics: Userland vs kernel rootkits, inline hooking, DKOM, hiding processes and files.

3. Advanced Malware Analysis

  • Resource: Practical Malware Analysis by Sikorski & Honig

  • Purpose: Learn how to reverse engineer and dissect malware samples in the wild.

  • Topics: Packers, crypters, C2 decoding, behavior monitoring.

4. OPSEC and Attribution Avoidance

  • Resource: Red Team Field Manual

  • Purpose: Learn how to develop malware with minimal forensic traceability.

  • Topics: Anti-forensics, timestomping, evading EDRs, malware development OPSEC.

Expected Outcome: By the end of this phase, learners will have advanced knowledge in kernel exploitation, stealth malware, and techniques used by sophisticated threat actors.

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