Rootkits are the ultimate backdoor, giving hackers ongoing and virtually undetectable access to the systems they exploit. Now, two of the world's leading experts have written the first comprehensive guide to rootkits: what they are, how they work, how to build them, and how to detect them. Rootkit.com's Greg Hoglund and James Butler created and teach Black Hat's legendary course in rootkits. In this book, they reveal never-before-told offensive aspects of rootkit technology--learn how attackers can get in and stay in for years, without detection.
Hoglund and Butler show exactly how to subvert the Windows XP and Windows 2000 kernels, teaching concepts that are easily applied to virtually any modern operating system, from Windows Server 2003 to Linux and UNIX. They teach rootkit programming techniques that can be used for a wide range of software, from white hat security tools to operating system drivers and debuggers.
After reading this book, readers will be able to
- Understand the role of rootkits in remote command/control and software eavesdropping
- Build kernel rootkits that can make processes, files, and directories invisible
- Master key rootkit programming techniques, including hooking, runtime patching, and directly manipulating kernel objects
- Work with layered drivers to implement keyboard sniffers and file filters
- Detect rootkits and build host-based intrusion prevention software that resists rootkit attacks
Greg Hoglund has been a pioneer in the area of software security. He is CEO of HBGary, Inc., a leading provider of software security verification services. After writing one of the first network vulnerability scanners (installed in over half of all Fortune 500 companies), he created and documented the first Windows NT-based rootkit, founding rootkit.com in the process. Greg is a frequent speaker at Black Hat, RSA, and other security conferences.
James Butler, Director of Engineering at HBGary, has a world-class talent for kernel programming and rootkit development and extensive experience in host-based intrusion-detection systems. He is the developer of VICE, a rootkit detection and forensics system. Jamie's previous positions include Senior Security Software Engineer at Enterasys and Computer Scientist at the National Security Agency. He is a frequent trainer and speaker at Black Hat security conferences. He holds a masters of computer science from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. He has published articles in the IEEE Information Assurance Workshop, Phrack, USENIX ;login:, and Information Management and Computer Security.
Preface.
Acknowledgments.
About the Authors.
About the Cover.
1. Leave No Trace.
Understanding Attackers’ Motives.
What Is a Rootkit?
Why Do Rootkits Exist?
How Long Have Rootkits Been Around?
How Do Rootkits Work?
What a Rootkit Is Not.
Rootkits and Software Exploits.
Offensive Rootkit Technologies.
Conclusion.
2. Subverting the Kernel.
Important Kernel Components.
Rootkit Design.
Introducing Code into the Kernel.
Building the Windows Device Driver.
Loading and Unloading the Driver.
Logging the Debug Statements.
Fusion Rootkits: Bridging User and Kernel Modes.
Loading the Rootkit.
Decompressing the .sys File from a Resource.
Surviving Reboot.
Conclusion.
3. The Hardware Connection.
Ring Zero.
Tables, Tables, and More Tables.
Memory Pages.
The Memory Descriptor Tables.
The Interrupt Descriptor Table.
The System Service Dispatch Table.
The Control Registers.
Multiprocessor Systems.
Conclusion.
4. The Age-Old Art of Hooking.
Userland Hooks.
Kernel Hooks.
A Hybrid Hooking Approach.
Conclusion.
5. Runtime Patching.
Detour Patching.
Jump Templates.
Variations on the Method.
Conclusion.
6. Layered Drivers.
A Keyboard Sniffer.
The KLOG Rootkit: A Walk-through.
File Filter Drivers.
Conclusion.
7. Direct Kernel Object Manipulation.
DKOM Benefits and Drawbacks.
Determining the Version of the Operating System.
Communicating with the Device Driver from Userland.
Hiding with DKOM.
Token Privilege and Group Elevation with DKOM.
Conclusion.
8. Hardware Manipulation.
Why Hardware?
Modifying the Firmware.
Accessing the Hardware.
Example: Accessing the Keyboard Controller.
How Low Can You Go? Microcode Update.
Conclusion.
9. Covert Channels.
Remote Command, Control, and Exfiltration of Data.
Disguised TCP/IP Protocols.
Kernel TCP/IP Support for Your Rootkit Using TDI.
Raw Network Manipulation.
Kernel TCP/IP Support for Your Rootkit Using NDIS.
Host Emulation.
Conclusion.
10. Rootkit Detection.
Detecting Presence.
Detecting Behavior.
Conclusion.
Index.
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