Debugging, Disassembly & Reversing in Linux for x64 Architecture

Gain insights into using GDB for debugging in Linux. Explore disassembly, memory investigation, and register updates. Learn about pointers, stack, and function parameters in x64 architecture.

Intermediate

43 Lessons

16h

Certificate of Completion

Gain insights into using GDB for debugging in Linux. Explore disassembly, memory investigation, and register updates. Learn about pointers, stack, and function parameters in x64 architecture.

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Explanations

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This course includes

1 Assessment

14 Playgrounds

5 Quizzes

This course includes

1 Assessment

14 Playgrounds

5 Quizzes

Course Overview

GNU Debugger (GDB) is used for debugging C/C++ programs in LINUX/UNIX environments. It is a good tool to investigate what is happening inside a program, and how the contents inside the memory are changed with the execution of the program. The main focus of the course is the disassembly of the program, where we'll use simple operations in C. With the help of GDB, we'll examine the contents of the registers and memory. We'll also learn how they are changed while executing basic operations. We’ll then explore...Show More

What You'll Learn

A familiarity with disassembly in GDB environment of simple C/C++ programs

A good understanding of how to debug programs with a cross-sectional view to the contents of registers, stack and memory

The ability to use GDB as a dump analysis tool

Hands-on experience with C/C++ programs from the disassembly output

What You'll Learn

A familiarity with disassembly in GDB environment of simple C/C++ programs

Course Content

Introduction to the Course

Get familiar with GDB for debugging, disassembly, and program reconstruction in Linux.

Introduction

Memory, Registers, and Simple Arithmetic

Grasp the fundamentals of memory, registers, arithmetic operations, and their representations in assembly language.

Comparison Between Memory and Registers

Assigning Numbers to Memory and Register

Adding Numbers to Memory Cells

Incrementing and Decrementing Numbers

Multiplying Numbers

Code Optimization

Go hands-on with debugging and optimizing code using GDB to enhance performance.

GDB Disassembly Output—No Optimization

GDB Disassembly Output—Optimization

Quiz on Memory, Register, and Code Optimization

Number Representations

Grasp the fundamentals of number systems, including decimal, ternary, binary, and hexadecimal.

Number System

Hexadecimal Number Representations

Pointers

Solve problems in using pointers for memory manipulation, arithmetic, incrementation, and multiplication in programming.

Introduction to Pointers

Assigning Numbers to Memory Cells Using Pointers

Adding Numbers Using Pointers

Incrementing Numbers Using Pointers

Multiplying Numbers Using Pointers

Quiz on Number Representations and Pointers

Bytes, Words, Double, and Quad Words

2 Lessons

Investigate memory granularity and layout in x64 Linux, focusing on bytes to quadwords.

Pointers to Memory

3 Lessons

Practice using pointers, their types, initialization, and debugging in memory management.

Logical Instructions and RIP

4 Lessons

Step through logical instructions, zeroing techniques, and the role of the Instruction Pointer.

Reconstructing a Program with Pointers

3 Lessons

Unpack the core of disassembling, reconstructing, and optimizing C/C++ code with pointers.

10.

Memory and Stacks

3 Lessons

Go hands-on with stacks in memory, function calls, and GDB debugging techniques.

11.

Frame Pointer and Local Variables

4 Lessons

Break down the steps to understand stack functionality, function prolog/epilog, and local variables.

12.

Function Parameters

2 Lessons

Solve problems in function parameter passing and stack memory analysis in x64 Linux systems.

13.

More Instructions

2 Lessons

Simplify complex topics of CPU flags, conditional jumps, and assembly instructions.

14.

Function Pointer Parameters

2 Lessons

Practice using function pointers in projects, dissembling with GDB, and enhancing debugging skills.

15.

Summary of Code Disassembly Patterns

1 Lesson

Break down key concepts in debugging, disassembly, and reversing for x64 Linux.

x64 Debugging, Disassembly & Reversing Exam

Assessment

Course Author

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Anthony Walker

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Evan Dunbar

ML Engineer

Carlos Matias La Borde

Software Developer

Souvik Kundu

Front-end Developer

Vinay Krishnaiah

Software Developer

Eric Downs

Musician/Entrepeneur

Kenan Eyvazov

DevOps Engineer

Souvik Kundu

Front-end Developer

Eric Downs

Musician/Entrepeneur

Anthony Walker

@_webarchitect_

Evan Dunbar

ML Engineer

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