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Difference between revisions of "Shellcode"

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Shellcode, bytecode, or [[machine code]] is represented in [[Assembly_Basics#Binary_.26_Hexadecimal|hexadecimal]].  Every [[programming language]] eventually becomes [[binary]].  [[Assembly Basics|Assembly]] translates to [[binary]] [[machine code]].  When writing a [[Buffer Overflows|buffer overflow]] there are many obstructions from [[SIM|security infrastructure]], such as [[DEP]], [[ASLR]], [[firewall|firewalls]], or [[IDS]] and [[IPS]] appliances.
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{{info|<center>'''Shellcode''', also known as '''bytecode''', is [[assembly]] which has been translated into [[machine code]] ([[binary]] represented in [[hexadecimal]]).</center>}}
  
{{info|This is just one of many shellcoding concepts. Ultimately, the most important concepts are [[anti-heuristics]], [[shellcode obfuscation]], and [[IDS]]/[[IPS]]/[[Firewall]] evasion.}}
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Every [[programming language]] eventually becomes [[binary]], whether at ''compile-time'' or ''runtime''.  When writing a [[Buffer Overflows|buffer overflow]] there are many obstructions from [[SIM|security infrastructure]], such as [[DEP]], [[ASLR]], [[firewall|firewalls]], or [[IDS]] and [[IPS]] appliances, thus many [[filter bypass]] and [[IDS evasion]] techniques (such as [[alphanumeric shellcode]]) must be utilized for successful [[exploitation]] in modern environments in conjunction with [[anti-heuristics]] and [[shellcode obfuscation|obfuscation]] for maximum effectiveness.  There are primarily two types of shellcode: ''executable'' shellcode and ''return-oriented'' shellcode.
  
'''[[Anti-heuristics]]''':
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''Executable shellcode'' is typically translated from [[assembly]] written for its respective target [[Operating System]].
* Evading heuristics - evading debuggers, tricking the [[Programmer|programmers]], attacking debuggers, and evading/attacking virtual machines are all part of this technique. [[Anti-heuristics]] rely on the code's ability to protect itself from user, administrator, or even [[programmer]] and debugger intervention.
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'''[[Shellcode obfuscation |Obfuscation]]''':
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* Basic executable shellcode, or traditional [[null-free shellcode]] can be used on any vulnerable application (sans filters) with an executable stack. 
* "Uglifying" one's code - obfuscation includes utilization of polymorphism and metamorphism, and describes anything that makes the code appear to do one thing or hold certain data when in fact the code does something else or holds different data.
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* 32-bit [[ascii shellcode]] and 64-bit [[alphanumeric shellcode]] are commonly used for filter bypass and IDS evasion.
  
'''[[IDS]]/[[IPS]]/[[Firewall]] Evasion''':
 
* Evading detection engines is currently best done by using alphanumeric shellcode. Alphanumeric and [[ascii shellcode]] appear within standard user-printable data, making your arbitrary code appear as standard user inputted data in stead of malicious [[machine code]]. Generally it is hard for an admin to detect that this is actually a payload to begin with.
 
  
{{info|[[Machine code]] can be used by a [[programmer]] to write any application with an [[Assembly Basics|assembly]] approach because it is just as powerful as any other [[programming language]]. }}
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''Return oriented shellcode'' utilizes [[Return_Oriented_Programming_(ROP)|return oriented programming]] in cases when the vulnerable buffer is non-executable, bypassing the need for an executable stack.
{{cleanup}}
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{{expand}}
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{{protip|[[Machine code]] can be used by a [[programmer]] to write any application from an [[assembly]] approach because it is just as powerful as any other [[programming language]].}}
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{{social}}

Revision as of 00:38, 16 May 2012

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Shellcode, also known as bytecode, is assembly which has been translated into machine code (binary represented in hexadecimal).

Every programming language eventually becomes binary, whether at compile-time or runtime. When writing a buffer overflow there are many obstructions from security infrastructure, such as DEP, ASLR, firewalls, or IDS and IPS appliances, thus many filter bypass and IDS evasion techniques (such as alphanumeric shellcode) must be utilized for successful exploitation in modern environments in conjunction with anti-heuristics and obfuscation for maximum effectiveness. There are primarily two types of shellcode: executable shellcode and return-oriented shellcode.

Executable shellcode is typically translated from assembly written for its respective target Operating System.


Return oriented shellcode utilizes return oriented programming in cases when the vulnerable buffer is non-executable, bypassing the need for an executable stack.


Protip: Machine code can be used by a programmer to write any application from an assembly approach because it is just as powerful as any other programming language.