Stories with Tag Exploit Development

• Hacktical C: practical hacker's guide to the C programming language

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  Posted: 2025-04-14 10:20:42

  Verbose tl;dr

  "Hacktical C" is a free, online guide to the C programming language aimed at aspiring security researchers and exploit developers. It covers fundamental C concepts like data types, control flow, and memory management, but with a specific focus on how these concepts are relevant to low-level programming and exploitation techniques. The guide emphasizes practical application, featuring numerous code examples and exercises demonstrating buffer overflows, format string vulnerabilities, and other common security flaws. It also delves into topics like interacting with the operating system, working with assembly language, and reverse engineering, all within the context of utilizing C for offensive security purposes.

  "Hacktical C: A Practical Hacker's Guide to the C Programming Language" is a GitHub repository designed to provide a comprehensive and hands-on introduction to the C programming language, specifically geared towards individuals interested in cybersecurity and low-level programming. It aims to equip learners with the fundamental knowledge and practical skills necessary to understand and manipulate systems at a deeper level, enabling them to write exploits, analyze malware, and perform other security-related tasks.

  The guide begins with an exploration of fundamental C concepts, including data types, variables, operators, control flow, and functions. It meticulously details how these core elements function and how they can be manipulated. The material progressively delves into more advanced topics like pointers, memory management, and the intricacies of the stack and heap. These concepts are crucial for understanding vulnerabilities and crafting exploits, as they form the basis of many common security flaws.

  A significant portion of "Hacktical C" is dedicated to practical application. The guide features numerous coding examples and exercises that reinforce the theoretical concepts. These exercises often involve interacting directly with memory, manipulating data structures, and exploring low-level system calls. This hands-on approach allows learners to develop a deep understanding of how C code interacts with the underlying hardware and operating system.

  Furthermore, the guide covers essential topics relevant to security, such as buffer overflows, format string vulnerabilities, and other common exploitation techniques. It explains how these vulnerabilities arise, how they can be exploited, and how to mitigate them. By understanding the mechanics of these vulnerabilities, learners gain valuable insights into defensive programming practices and secure coding principles.

  The repository utilizes a clear and concise writing style, supplemented with illustrative diagrams and code snippets, to facilitate comprehension. It emphasizes a practical, hands-on learning experience, encouraging readers to actively experiment with the provided code and explore the concepts independently. The overall objective of "Hacktical C" is to empower individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complexities of low-level programming and apply this expertise in various security-related contexts. It aims to bridge the gap between theoretical understanding and practical application, fostering a deep understanding of C and its implications for system security.

  • C
  • C Programming
  • Programming Languages
  • hacking
  • Security
  • Cybersecurity
  • Low-Level Programming
  • Systems Programming
  • Reverse Engineering
  • Exploit Development
  • Computer Science
  • Software Development
  • Tutorial
  • Guide
  • Practical Guide

  Summary of Comments ( 85 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43679781

  Verbose tl;dr

  Hacker News users largely praised "Hacktical C" for its clear writing style and focus on practical application, particularly for those interested in systems programming and security. Several commenters appreciated the author's approach of explaining concepts through real-world examples, like crafting shellcode and exploiting vulnerabilities. Some highlighted the book's coverage of lesser-known C features and quirks, making it valuable even for experienced programmers. A few pointed out potential improvements, such as adding more exercises or expanding on certain topics. Overall, the sentiment was positive, with many recommending the book for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of C and its use in low-level programming.

  The Hacker News post for "Hacktical C: practical hacker's guide to the C programming language" has generated a modest number of comments, primarily focusing on the book's target audience and its potential utility.

  Several commenters question the book's relevance for experienced C programmers. One user points out that the content seems geared towards beginners, covering fundamental concepts already familiar to seasoned developers. They express skepticism about the book offering new insights for those well-versed in C. Another echoes this sentiment, suggesting the target demographic is those transitioning from higher-level languages to C, rather than individuals with significant C experience.

  Another thread discusses the book's "hacker" focus, with some users questioning its practical application for security-related tasks. One commenter remarks that while the book might provide a solid foundation in C, it doesn't delve deep into specific hacking techniques or exploit development. They suggest it's more of a general C programming guide rather than a specialized resource for security researchers.

  A few commenters praise the book's clear and concise writing style. They appreciate the author's approach to explaining complex topics in an accessible manner, making it potentially beneficial for beginners. One user highlights the book's coverage of low-level concepts, which they find valuable for understanding the underlying mechanics of C.

  Finally, some comments touch upon the book's coverage of x86-64 assembly language. One user expresses interest in this aspect, noting that understanding assembly can be crucial for low-level programming and reverse engineering. Another commenter suggests that the book might serve as a good starting point for those wanting to explore the relationship between C and assembly.

  In summary, the comments generally portray "Hacktical C" as a potentially useful resource for beginners or those new to C, offering a clear introduction to the language and some low-level concepts. However, experienced C programmers or those seeking advanced hacking techniques might find the content less compelling. The discussion revolves around the book's target audience and its practical application in different contexts.

• Remote Code Execution in Marvel Rivals Game

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  Posted: 2025-02-03 18:02:42

  Verbose tl;dr

  A critical remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability was discovered in the now-defunct mobile game Marvel: Contest of Champions (also known as Marvel Rivals). The game's chat functionality lacked proper input sanitization, allowing attackers to inject and execute arbitrary JavaScript code within clients of other players. This could have been exploited to steal sensitive information, manipulate game data, or even potentially take control of affected devices. The vulnerability, discovered by a security researcher while reverse-engineering the game, was responsibly disclosed to Kabam, the game's developer. Although a fix was implemented, the exploit served as a stark reminder of the potential security risks associated with unsanitized user inputs in online games.

  This blog post details the discovery and exploitation of a remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability within the now-defunct mobile game "Marvel: Contest of Champions," also referred to as "MCOC" or "Rivals," developed by Kabam. The author, a security researcher operating under the pseudonym "shalzuth," meticulously outlines the process of reverse engineering the game's client-server communication protocol to identify and leverage a weakness in how the game handled JSON messages.

  Shalzuth began by intercepting the traffic between the game client and the server using a proxy tool. This allowed them to observe the structure and content of the JSON messages exchanged during gameplay. Through careful analysis and manipulation of these messages, they discovered that the server did not adequately sanitize certain fields within the JSON payloads. Specifically, the game incorporated a feature allowing players to send pre-defined messages to each other during matches, and these messages were processed server-side. Shalzuth found that embedding malicious JavaScript code within these seemingly innocuous chat messages could bypass the server's security measures.

  The core vulnerability stemmed from the server's use of an embedded JavaScript engine to dynamically interpret and execute parts of the received JSON messages. By crafting a specially formatted chat message containing JavaScript code, shalzuth could inject arbitrary commands that would be executed on the game server. This provided them with the ability to perform actions beyond the intended game mechanics, including, but not limited to, potentially manipulating game data, accessing sensitive information, or even disrupting the game service for other players.

  The blog post further elaborates on the specific JavaScript functions and techniques employed to achieve code execution, including bypassing character limitations and other restrictions imposed by the game client. Shalzuth explains how they constructed the malicious payload and demonstrates its effectiveness by successfully executing a simple "alert" command on the server, proving the existence of the vulnerability. While the post does not delve into the potential ramifications of this exploit beyond the proof-of-concept demonstration, it implicitly highlights the severe security risks associated with inadequate server-side input validation and the dangers of executing user-supplied code in sensitive environments. The responsible disclosure process is also detailed, indicating that Kabam was notified and subsequently patched the vulnerability before the blog post's publication. This demonstrates a commitment to ethical hacking practices and responsible vulnerability disclosure.

  • remote code execution
  • RCE
  • Game Exploit
  • Cybersecurity
  • Vulnerability
  • Marvel Rivals
  • Gaming
  • Exploit Development
  • Software Security
  • game hacking
  • Mobile Game Security
  • Android Security
  • iOS Security

  Summary of Comments ( 54 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42920962

  Verbose tl;dr

  Hacker News users discussed the exploit detailed in the blog post, focusing on the surprising simplicity of the vulnerability and the potential impact it could have had. Several commenters expressed amazement that such a basic oversight could exist in a production game, with one pointing out the irony of a game about superheroes being vulnerable to such a mundane attack. The discussion also touched on the responsible disclosure process, with users questioning why Kabam hadn't offered a bug bounty and acknowledging the author's ethical handling of the situation. Some users debated the severity of the vulnerability, with opinions ranging from "not a big deal" to a serious security risk given the game's access to user data. The lack of a detailed technical explanation in the blog post was also noted, with some users desiring more information about the specific code involved.

  The Hacker News post titled "Remote Code Execution in Marvel Rivals Game" (https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42920962) has a moderate number of comments, discussing various aspects of the linked blog post detailing a game exploit. Several commenters focus on the technical details of the exploit, while others discuss the broader implications for game security and the responsible disclosure process.

  One compelling comment thread revolves around the surprising simplicity of the vulnerability. Commenters express astonishment that such a basic oversight could exist in a production game, especially given the potential security implications. The discussion touches upon the possibility of this being a common issue in other games and the need for better security practices in game development.

  Another interesting thread focuses on the author's decision to withhold certain technical details of the exploit to prevent malicious actors from replicating it. Commenters generally agree with this approach, acknowledging the potential harm that could be caused if the exploit were to become widely known. Some discuss the ethical responsibilities of security researchers in disclosing vulnerabilities and the balance between transparency and protecting users.

  Some comments also delve into the specifics of the exploit, questioning the author's description of it as "Remote Code Execution (RCE)." They argue that while the exploit allows for manipulating game data and potentially impacting other players, it doesn't necessarily grant full control over the server or allow for arbitrary code execution in the traditional sense. This leads to a nuanced discussion about the definition of RCE and the different levels of severity associated with various types of exploits.

  Several users also share anecdotal experiences about encountering similar vulnerabilities in other games, highlighting the prevalence of such issues. They discuss the challenges of getting game developers to take security concerns seriously and the often slow response times in patching vulnerabilities.

  Finally, some comments express appreciation for the author's detailed write-up and the clear explanation of the exploit, even with the omission of sensitive details. They commend the author for responsible disclosure and for bringing attention to an important security issue in the gaming industry. Overall, the comments provide valuable insights into the technical aspects of the exploit, the ethical considerations of vulnerability disclosure, and the broader implications for game security.