Hacking
The Art of Exploitation
2nd Edition
Published on 1. February 2008
Book
X, 474 pages
978-1-59327-144-2 (ISBN)
Description
Hacking is the art of creative problem solving, whether that means finding an unconventional solution to a difficult problem or exploiting holes in sloppy programming. Many people call themselves hackers, but few have the strong technical foundation needed to really push the envelope.
Rather than merely showing how to run existing exploits, author Jon Erickson explains how arcane hacking techniques actually work. To share the art and science of hacking in a way that is accessible to everyone, Hacking: The Art of Exploitation, 2nd Edition introduces the fundamentals of C programming from a hacker's perspective.
The included LiveCD provides a complete Linux programming and debugging environment - all without modifying your current operating system. Use it to follow along with the book's examples as you fill gaps in your knowledge and explore hacking techniques on your own. Get your hands dirty debugging code, overflowing buffers, hijacking network communications, bypassing protections, exploiting cryptographic weaknesses, and perhaps even inventing new exploits. This book will teach you how to:
- Program computers using C, assembly language, and shell scripts
- Corrupt system memory to run arbitrary code using buffer overflows and format strings
- Inspect processor registers and system memory with a debugger to gain a real understanding of what is happening
- Outsmart common security measures like non-executable stacks and intrusion detection systems
- Gain access to a remote server using port-binding or connect-back shellcode, and alter a server's logging behavior to hide your presence
- Redirect network traffic, conceal open ports, and hijack TCP connections
- Crack encrypted wireless traffic using the FMS attack, and speed up brute-force attacks using a password probability matrix
Hackers are always pushing the boundaries, investigating the unkown, and evolving their art. Even if you don't already know how to program, Hacking: The Art of Exploitation, 2nd Edition will give you a complete picture of programming, machine architecture, network communications, and existing hacking techniques. Combine this knowledge with the included Linux environment, and all you need is your own creativity.
Rather than merely showing how to run existing exploits, author Jon Erickson explains how arcane hacking techniques actually work. To share the art and science of hacking in a way that is accessible to everyone, Hacking: The Art of Exploitation, 2nd Edition introduces the fundamentals of C programming from a hacker's perspective.
The included LiveCD provides a complete Linux programming and debugging environment - all without modifying your current operating system. Use it to follow along with the book's examples as you fill gaps in your knowledge and explore hacking techniques on your own. Get your hands dirty debugging code, overflowing buffers, hijacking network communications, bypassing protections, exploiting cryptographic weaknesses, and perhaps even inventing new exploits. This book will teach you how to:
- Program computers using C, assembly language, and shell scripts
- Corrupt system memory to run arbitrary code using buffer overflows and format strings
- Inspect processor registers and system memory with a debugger to gain a real understanding of what is happening
- Outsmart common security measures like non-executable stacks and intrusion detection systems
- Gain access to a remote server using port-binding or connect-back shellcode, and alter a server's logging behavior to hide your presence
- Redirect network traffic, conceal open ports, and hijack TCP connections
- Crack encrypted wireless traffic using the FMS attack, and speed up brute-force attacks using a password probability matrix
Hackers are always pushing the boundaries, investigating the unkown, and evolving their art. Even if you don't already know how to program, Hacking: The Art of Exploitation, 2nd Edition will give you a complete picture of programming, machine architecture, network communications, and existing hacking techniques. Combine this knowledge with the included Linux environment, and all you need is your own creativity.
Reviews / Votes
"A book this good is a rare find, and certainly worth the read for any individual interested in security. Rating: 9/10"-Slashdot
"We can surely say that this book is one of the essential hacking books of all time."
-Hackerzzz
"This book does a great job of covering C programming, assembly programming, vulnerability discovery, and exploitation all in one. If you are going to read only one book, start here."
-Dino Dai Zovi
"Anyone can read this book to get a good understanding of how network hacking was started . . . if you want to know early 20's hacking theories, this book is for you!"
-Mic Johnson, Latest Hacking News, "Five Best Hacking Books That Are Still Relevant in 2021"
"Like all good books, Hacking: The Art of Exploitation, 2nd Edition encourages you to get your hands dirty. Each chapter focuses on a series of examples with finely worded guidance from Erickson. It's not a beast of a read either; it is highly accessible with an emphasis on allowing practice of the examples rather than drowning the reader in hacking theory."
-The Register
"With especially clear coverage of heap and stack overflows, this book not only explains what's involved in hacking, but walks readers through common tools and techniques."
-InformIT
"A security professional's paradise, burrowing down to the code level of dozens of different loopholes and explaining the underlying logic behind the attacks."
-GeekDad on Wired.com
"This is a good book. It does a great job of first establishing the mindset of a hacker and then walking the reader step by step through the various techniques of finding interesting ways to solve problems. This in itself is what the author claims is the defining characteristic of a hacker, and I agree."
-;login: The USENIX Magazine
"This book will take any programmer well beyond the usual programming techniques covered in conventional programming books."
-Electronic Design
"Those whose jobs are to protect computer systems and applications must understand these flaws and techniques in order to fix, prevent and protect against them. This does not only apply to computing, but to any other field where a 'bad guy' can take advantage of a system for their own selfish reasons. Once knowledge has been released, it becomes very difficult to put it back in its box. This book is just knowledge wrapped in a different package. We recommend you strongly consider this title if you would like to enter this field or add to your repertoire."
-Gizmos for Geeks
"Jon Erickson has completed the second edition of his seminal work, Hacking: The Art of Exploitation, adding a significant amount of text to the original work. In doing so, he has created a work that will quickly become a "go-to" guide for anyone wanting to learn hacking, or who wants to understand the hacking mindset."
-Blogcritics.org
"Personally, this is a book I am extremely glad to own. I see it as a powerful tool in the arsenal of both sysadmins and developers alike in guarding their applications and systems from these attacks, as well as understanding what to look for, how they can happen, and the mindset of those trying them out."
-Cory Foy, software developer
"This fantastic little book - actually not so little anymore at 488 pages - is a real gem for the serious code geek, or those in search of their inner code geek."
-The IT Security Guy
"I now recommend this book for the Exploitation chapter alone. This chapter covers buffer and function overflows and the format string vulnerability. Buy the book and discover why strings should be formatted like this:
printf("%s", text);
and never like this:
printf(text);"
-Linux Pro Magazine
"Probably the most detailed, thorough, and lucid coverage of 'the fundamental techniques of serious hacking.'"
-Major Keary, Linux and Open Source SIG
"The most important book on a real hacker's library. . . . I like to think that this book resembles the Holy Grail of Hacking."
-Sudo Realm
"Hacking: The Art of Exploitation will cover everything you need to know, however this book is extremely technical and seriously in depth, definitely not for script kiddies. Starts simple and ramps up very fast. I give five stars and a (black) hat off."
-quotebot
More details
Edition
2nd Edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Heidelberg
Germany
Target group
-Wannabe hackers serious about mastering hacking techniques -Instructors of computer security courses and their students -System administrators responsible for corporate security -Programmers concerned about security issues
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
mit 1 CD
mit 1 CD
Dimensions
Height: 171 mm
Width: 230 mm
Thickness: 32 mm
Weight
804 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-59327-144-2 (9781593271442)
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Jon Erickson
Hacking: The Art of Exploitation, 2nd Edition
E-Book
02/2008
No Starch Press
€38.99
Available for download
Book
11/2003
1st Edition
No Starch Press
€40.00
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Previous edition
Book
11/2003
1st Edition
No Starch Press
€40.00
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Person
Jon Erickson has a formal education in computer science and speaks frequently at computer security conferences around the world. He works as a cryptologist and security specialist in Northern California.
Content
HACKING: THE ART OF EXPLOITATION, 2ND EDITION.ACKNOWLEDGMENTSPREFACEChapter 0x100: INTRODUCTIONChapter 0x200: PROGRAMMINGChapter 0x300: EXPLOITATIONChapter 0x400: NETWORKINGChapter 0x500: SHELLCODEChapter 0x600: COUNTERMEASURESChapter 0x700: CRYPTOLOGYChapter 0x800: CONCLUSIONCOLOPHON