Advanced Cyber Security Programming
Overview
This unit covers assembly language programming for Intel 80x86/64 CPU architectures and introductory assembly programming for ARM CPU architectures. Students will use their knowledge to write and inject shell code into vulnerable process, identify ROP gadgets and bypass ASLR and DEP OS protection and to write custom "malware" to exfiltrate data or provide unauthorised access. Student will make extensive use of debuggers and memory forensics tools to understand the operation of their code.
Requisites
Rule
CYB80001 System Security Project
OR
COS60011 Technology Design Project
01-June-2025
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of assembly language programming in a modern CPU architecture
- Analyse and explain small assembly language programs
- Analyse and reverse-engineer medium-sized binaries using semi-automated tools
- Alter the behaviour of computer programs by changing machine code instructions
- Locate and use ROP gadgets to subvert normal program execution
- Design, write and inject shell code into vulnerable processes
- Design, write and implement forward and reverse shell programs as services or applications
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
---|---|---|---|
Face to Face Contact (Phasing out) Lecture | 2.00 | 12 weeks | 24 |
Face to Face Contact (Phasing out) Tutorial Labs | 2.00 | 12 weeks | 24 |
Unspecified Learning Activities (Phasing out) Independent Learning | 8.50 | 12 weeks | 102 |
TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
---|---|---|---|
Assignment | Individual | 50 - 0% | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 |
Examination | Individual | 50% | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 |
Content
- Architecture, Data representation, Program Format
- Tool Chain, Debuggers, Volatility, Ada Pro
- Instruction set, Addressing modes, Stac,
- Program development
- Macros, Functions
- Source files, includes
- Stack smashing
- CLI, I/O buffering
- Floating point instructions
- Parallelisation, Interrupts
- Return Oriented Programming
- ASM and C socket programming
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.