Home>Courses>Foundations of Linux ARM64: Debug, Disassemble, and Reverse

Foundations of Linux ARM64: Debug, Disassemble, and Reverse

Gain insights into debugging C/C++ programs on Linux ARM64, delve into program disassembly, probe memory/register changes using GDB, and discover techniques for core dump analysis and assembly-level debugging.

Intermediate

44 Lessons

12h

Certificate of Completion

AI-POWERED

Explanations

AI-POWERED

Explanations

This course includes

1 Assessment

16 Playgrounds

5 Quizzes

Course Overview

What You'll Learn

Course Content

Recommendations

Course Overview

The 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. You’ll use the Linux ARM64 which is a popular RISC architecture. You’ll use simple operations in C/C++ such as assignment, increment, addition, multiplication. With the help of the GDB, you will probe into...Show More

What You'll Learn

Familiarity with disassembly in the GDB environment of simple C/C++ programs

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

Ability to use GDB as a dump analysis tool

Hands-on experience to reconstruct simple C/C++ programs from the disassembly output

A deeper understanding of the basic assembly language programming skills

Familiarity with disassembly in the GDB environment of simple C/C++ programs

Course Content

Introduction to the Course

1 Lessons

Get familiar with Linux ARM64 debugging, disassembly, and reverse engineering tools.

Course Overview

Memory, Registers, and Simple Arithmetic

5 Lessons

Unpack the core of memory and registers, arithmetic operations, and their implementation in ARM64.

Comparison Between Memory and Registers

Assigning Numbers to Memory Locations and Registers

Adding Numbers to Memory Cells

Incrementing and Decrementing Numbers

Multiplying Numbers

Code Optimization

3 Lessons

Go hands-on with GDB disassembly for both non-optimized and optimized C/C++ code.

GDB Disassembly Output – No Optimization

GDB Disassembly Output – Optimization

Quiz on Memory, Register, Simple Arithmetic and Code Optimization

Number Representations

2 Lessons

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

Number System

Hexadecimal Number Representations

Pointers

6 Lessons

Solve problems in Linux ARM64 debugging with advanced pointer operations and arithmetic.

Introduction to Pointers

Assigning Numbers to Memory Using Pointers

Adding Numbers Using Pointers

Incrementing Numbers Using Pointers

Multiplying Numbers Using Pointers

Quiz on Number Representations and Pointers

Bytes, Half Words, Words, and Double Words

2 Lessons

Investigate ARM64 memory management, organization, and the relationship between bytes, words, and memory addresses.

Granularity

Memory Layout

Pointers to Memory

3 Lessons

Practice using pointers for memory management, addressing types, and debugging techniques in Linux ARM64.

Declaring Pointers for Different Addressing Types

Pointers Essentials

Memory Pointers Example: Memory Layout

Logical Instructions and PC

4 Lessons

Get familiar with logical operations, zeroing methods, and the instruction pointer in ARM64.

Logical Instructions

Zeroing Memory or Registers

Instruction Pointer

Quiz on Granularity, Pointer to Memory, and Logical Instructions

Reconstructing a Program with Pointers

3 Lessons

Unpack the core of program reconstruction using disassembly output and optimization techniques.

Disassembly Output Without Optimization

Reconstructing the C/C++ Code

Disassembly Output in the Code Optimization Mode

10.

Memory and Stacks

3 Lessons

Break apart stack operations, memory roles, and GDB exploration in ARM64 Linux.

Introduction to the Stack

Stack in Memory and Registers

Exploring the Stack in the GDB

11.

Frame Pointer and Local Variables

4 Lessons

Enhance your skills in stack management, function prolog/epilog, and local variable debugging on ARM64.

Stacks in Frame Pointers and Local Variables

Functions in Frame Pointers and Local Variables

Local Variables

Quiz on Memory, Stack, Frame Pointer, and Local Variables

12.

Function Parameters

2 Lessons

Take a closer look at ARM64 function parameters, stack usage, and debugging with GDB.

Function Parameters and Stack

A Disassembly Example with Function and Stack

13.

More Instructions

2 Lessons

Simplify complex topics like PSTATE flags, conditional jumps, TST and CMP instructions.

Instructions-I

Instructions-II

14.

Function Pointer Parameters

2 Lessons

Practice using GDB to explore function parameter implementation and arithmetic examples.

Implementation of Function Parameters and Arithmetic Example

Quiz on Function Parameters and Function Pointer Parameters

15.

Conclusion

2 Lessons

Get familiar with ARM64 function prologs, epilogs, parameter passing, and practical disassembly.

Summary of Code

Final Remarks

ARM64 Linux Debugging, Disassembling, Reversing Exam

Assessment

Course Author

Dmitry Vostokov

Trusted by 2.5 million developers working at companies

"These are high-quality courses. Trust me. I own around 10 and the price is worth it for the content quality. EducativeInc came at the right time in my career. I'm understanding topics better than with any book or online video tutorial I've done. Truly made for developers. Thanks"

Anthony Walker

@_webarchitect_

"Just finished my first full #ML course: Machine learning for Software Engineers from Educative, Inc. ... Highly recommend!"

Evan Dunbar

ML Engineer

"You guys are the gold standard of crash-courses... Narrow enough that it doesn't need years of study or a full blown book to get the gist, but broad enough that an afternoon of Googling doesn't cut it."

Carlos Matias La Borde

Software Developer

"I spend my days and nights on Educative. It is indispensable. It is such a unique and reader-friendly site"

Souvik Kundu

Front-end Developer

"Your courses are simply awesome, the depth they go into and the breadth of coverage is so good that I don't have to refer to 10 different websites looking for interview topics and content."

Vinay Krishnaiah

Software Developer

"I've tried probably 5-7 different sites and Educative is easily the best. It perfectly blends explanation with interactivity"

Eric Downs

Musician/Entrepeneur

Hands-on Learning Powered by AI

See how Educative uses AI to make your learning more immersive than ever before.

Instant Code Feedback

Evaluate and debug your code with the click of a button. Get real-time feedback on test cases, including time and space complexity of your solutions.

AI-Powered Mock Interviews

Put your skills to the test in a simulated interview setting. Receive personalized feedback based on your performance. Available in Premium & Premium Plus plans.

Adaptive Learning

At various checkpoints throughout Educative courses, you will be prompted to take a quick assessment. Receive a condensed curriculum tailored to your strengths and skill gaps.

Explain with AI

Select any text within any Educative course, and get an instant explanation — without ever leaving your browser.

AI Code Mentor

AI Code Mentor helps you quickly identify errors in your code, learn from your mistakes, and nudge you in the right direction — just like a 1:1 tutor!

Recommended before starting this course

Course

Introduction to Computers & Programming

Gain insights into basic computer anatomy, binary systems, and program lifecycles. Delve into logic building and core programming concepts with hands-on exercises and quizzes to reinforce learning.

beginner

6 hours

Course

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

16 hours

Course

Learn C

Learn C programming fundamentals like data types, control flow, functions, pointers, and memory allocation while exploring debugging, profiling, and optimization tools like GDB and gcc.

beginner

12 hours

Course

Introduction to Computers & Programming

beginner

6 hour

Course

Debugging, Disassembly & Reversing in Linux for x64 Architecture

Related Courses and Skill Paths

Course

Accelerated Linux Core Dump Analysis

Gain insights into debugging Linux process and kernel failures using GDB and crash utility. Delve into memory dump analysis, identifying issues like memory leaks, CPU spikes, and deadlocks.

advanced

15 hours

Course

Advanced Programming Techniques in C

Gain insights into pointers, arrays, strings, and structures in C. Explore function pointers and bitwise operations. Discover recursion, memory allocation, and effective debugging techniques.

intermediate

10 hours

Course

Accelerated Linux Core Dump Analysis

advanced

15 hour

Course

Advanced Programming Techniques in C

intermediate

10 hour

Free Resources

FOR TEAMS

Interested in this course for your business or team?

Unlock this course (and 1,000+ more) for your entire org with DevPath