1.

Attacking Native Compiled Applications

Overview: Native compiled applications are software programs that are compiled directly to machine
code, making them platform-specific. They often run faster than interpreted applications but can be more
challenging to secure.
Common Vulnerabilities:
 Buffer Overflows: Occur when data exceeds allocated memory, leading to arbitrary code
execution.
 Format String Vulnerabilities: Arise when user input is not properly sanitized, allowing attackers
to read memory or execute code.
 Race Conditions: Exploitable when multiple processes access shared resources simultaneously.
 Insecure Use of APIs: Improper handling of APIs can lead to vulnerabilities, such as incorrect
permissions.
Attack Techniques:
 Reverse Engineering: Using tools like IDA Pro or Ghidra to analyze the compiled binary and find
vulnerabilities.
 Static Analysis: Examining the binary without executing it to identify vulnerabilities.
 Dynamic Analysis: Running the application in a controlled environment to observe behavior and
interactions.
Mitigation Strategies:
 Code Audits: Regularly review code for security flaws.
 Input Validation: Ensure all inputs are sanitized.
 Use of Safe Libraries: Employ libraries that provide secure functions.
 Memory Safety Practices: Implement strategies like stack canaries and ASLR (Address Space
Layout Randomization).
2. Attacking Application Architecture
Overview: Application architecture defines how different components of an application interact. Different
architectures, such as monolithic, microservices, and serverless, have unique security implications.
Common Attack Vectors:
 Monolithic Architecture: A single point of failure; if compromised, the entire application is at
risk.
 Microservices: Increased surface area for attacks; vulnerabilities in one service can affect others.
 Serverless: Dependency on third-party services can introduce risks if not properly managed.
Attack Techniques:
 Service Discovery Attacks: Gaining unauthorized access to service endpoints.
  Data Leakage: Exploiting misconfigurations to access sensitive data.
 Denial of Service (DoS): Overloading services to make them unavailable.
Mitigation Strategies:
 Network Segmentation: Isolate services to limit exposure.
 API Security: Implement rate limiting, authentication, and authorization for APIs.
 Regular Security Assessments: Conduct penetration tests focusing on architecture-specific
vulnerabilities.
3. Attacking the Application Server
Overview: Application servers host and serve web applications, managing business logic and data access.
They are critical components of web architecture and common targets for attackers.
Common Vulnerabilities:
 Misconfigurations: Incorrect server settings can lead to vulnerabilities (e.g., default credentials).
 Unpatched Software: Failing to update servers can leave them open to known exploits.
 Insecure APIs: APIs without proper security measures can expose sensitive data.
Attack Techniques:
 SQL Injection: Exploiting input fields to execute unauthorized SQL commands.
 Cross-Site Scripting (XSS): Injecting scripts into web pages viewed by other users.
 Session Hijacking: Stealing session tokens to impersonate legitimate users.
Mitigation Strategies:
 Regular Patching: Keep software and dependencies up to date.
 Hardening Configuration: Disable unnecessary services, change default settings, and apply
security best practices.
 Web Application Firewalls (WAF): Deploy WAFs to filter and monitor HTTP traffic.
4. Finding Vulnerabilities in Source Code
Overview: Source code vulnerabilities can be exploited if not identified and remediated. This involves
reviewing the codebase for security flaws before deployment.
Common Vulnerabilities:
 Injection Flaws: Such as SQL, OS command, and LDAP injections.
 Authentication Issues: Insecure password storage and session management problems.
 Cross-Site Scripting (XSS): Failure to validate or encode user input.
Tools for Finding Vulnerabilities:
 Static Application Security Testing (SAST): Tools like SonarQube and Checkmarx analyze code
for vulnerabilities without executing it.
  Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST): Tools like OWASP ZAP and Burp Suite assess
running applications.
 Interactive Application Security Testing (IAST): Tools that combine both SAST and DAST
approaches.
Mitigation Strategies:
 Code Reviews: Implement peer reviews to identify potential security issues.
 Secure Coding Practices: Educate developers on secure coding guidelines.
 Automated Testing: Integrate security testing into CI/CD pipelines.
5. A Web Application Hacker’s Toolkit
Common Tools:
 Burp Suite: A comprehensive tool for web application security testing, including a proxy, scanner,
and repeater.
 OWASP ZAP: An open-source tool for finding vulnerabilities in web applications.
 Nmap: A network scanning tool used to discover hosts and services on a network.
 Metasploit: A penetration testing framework that provides tools for exploiting vulnerabilities.
Functionality of Tools:
 Scanning: Identify vulnerabilities in web applications.
 Exploitation: Attempt to exploit identified vulnerabilities to demonstrate impact.
 Reporting: Generate detailed reports on findings for remediation.
Additional Resources:
 Browser Extensions: Tools like Web Developer and Wappalyzer for analyzing web technologies
and security.
 Custom Scripts: Python or Ruby scripts to automate specific tasks in security assessments.
6. A Web Application Hacker’s Methodology
Overview: A structured approach helps ensure thorough testing and identification of vulnerabilities in
web applications.
Typical Phases:
1. Reconnaissance: Gathering information about the target (e.g., footprinting, scanning).
2. Scanning: Actively probing the application for vulnerabilities.
3. Exploitation: Attempting to exploit identified vulnerabilities to gain access or extract data.
4. Post-Exploitation: Assessing the impact and establishing persistence if required.
5. Reporting: Documenting findings, including vulnerabilities discovered, exploitation attempts, and
recommendations for remediation.
Key Considerations:
 Documentation: Maintain detailed records of findings, methodologies, and tools used.
 Ethics and Legalities: Ensure all testing is conducted within the scope defined by the client and
complies with legal standards.
 Continuous Learning: Stay updated on the latest vulnerabilities, exploits, and security practices.