Python Roadmap for Systems Programming, Binary Protocols, and Exploit Development
1. Foundations (for C++ to Python shift)
• Python syntax & control flow (loops, conditionals, functions)
• Python OOP (classes, inheritance, magic methods)
• Pythonic memory model vs C++
• Working with bytearray , struct , memoryview
• Exceptions and debugging
2. Low-Level I/O and System Interfaces
• Filesystems and raw binary I/O
• open() , os , io , and mmap
• Interfacing with OS using os and subprocess
• Standard input/output and pipes
• Working with permissions and processes
3. Networking Basics (Python Focus)
• TCP/IP and UDP basics
• Python socket module (low-level sockets)
• Server/client echo programs
• Using select , poll , and non-blocking sockets
• Differences between requests (high-level) and socket (low-level)
4. Binary Protocols & Packet Crafting
• Bytes, bytearrays, and binary encoding
• Struct packing/unpacking using struct
• Writing and parsing binary protocols manually
• Intro to tools like:
• scapy (packet crafting)
• binwalk , hexdump , and xxd
5. Reverse Engineering Essentials
• Reading assembly (x86 basics)
• Working with capstone disassembler in Python
• Binary inspection using pyelftools
• Understanding how binaries are loaded (ELF, PE)
6. Exploit Development Foundations
• Stack layout and function calling
• Buffer overflows and segmentation faults
• Python scripts to send exploit payloads
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• Shellcode injection (NOP sleds, etc.)
• Intro to Return-Oriented Programming (ROP)
7. Security & Debugging Tools
• GDB + pwndbg or gef
• Working with pwn (from pwntools)
• Basic Fuzzing concepts using Python
• Automation scripts for CTF-style exploits
8. Advanced Topics (Optional Later)
• Writing custom syscalls in Python (via C extensions or ctypes)
• JIT compilation and performance (e.g. numba , cython )
• Kernel and driver analysis (not Python-focused)
9. Recommended Practice Paths
• Reimplement tools like netcat , hexdump , or a simple debugger
• Work on CTF challenges (picoCTF, HackTheBox)
• Reverse simple binaries
• Play with live networking data
Would you like recommended books, YouTube playlists, and project ideas next?
