Security Warrior

Most books written on computer security seem to follow the same predicable pattern of describing various computer programs that can detect security issues on networks/computers, and then go through the process of exploiting them (which is prefaced by the usual warnings). Although there is some of it in this book, the main topic in Security Warrior that I have never seen explained in an easily understandable format is that of "Reverse Code Engineering (RCE)" - or simply stated, the techniques used for discovering or geting a pretty good idea of how the source code of a compiled executable is actually working. I had always been of the opinion that RCE was impossible or extremely difficult at best; and although it is actually pretty labor intensive and time consuming in practice, this book does offer some real strategies for accomplishing it and mentions the tools to do so. I would say this book is a MUST HAVE for anyone in the anti-virus, anti-trojan horse, etc., business, or anyone that needs to figure out how non-competitor products work in order to build interfaces or other integrating components. Good luck and hope this review helps you.

The scope of this book isn't just broad, it's encyclopedic. Want to understand how hackers hide their tracks? It's in here. Need to know more about wireless security? That's in here, too. The chapter on reconnaissance is particularly interesting. Another chapter, on social engineering, will make you re-examine your security in terms of the people in your own organization who can compromise that security. That's one element many books fail to consider. Any infosec professional worth his or her salt already knows a lot of what you'll find in here. But none of us knows everything; the authors aim to fill in the blanks in any professional's knowledge. The great thing about this book is that you can instantly flip to the section on what you need to know more about and find clear, in-depth information. If that's not enough, each topic includes a list of additional references to help you learn more. If I have any complaint about this book, it's the pages and pages of code. How many of us actually read all that code when we encounter it in a book? When code is needed to make a point, I'd like to see no more than ten - fifteen lines of it at a time with appropriate comments in the text. If we really need the rest, it would be far more helpful in appendices at the back of the book, or, better yet, on a CD-ROM included with the book. That said, this book is likely to become an indispensable reference for your library, and well worth the price.

Target AudienceIntermediate to advanced programmers, network administrators, or security administrators who need an in-depth understanding of how software and systems can be exploited.ContentsThis is a detailed guide on how to reverse-engineer and analyze software and systems for vulnerabilities and exploits. The book is divided into five parts:Part 1 - Software Cracking - Assembly Language; Windows Reverse Engineering; Linux Reverse Engineering; Windows CE Reverse Engineering; Overflow AttacksPart 2 - Network Stalking - TCP/IP Analysis; Social Engineering; Reconnaissance; OS Fingerprinting; Hiding The TracksPart 3 - Platform Attacks - Unix Defense; Unix Attacks; Windows Client Attacks; Windows Server Attacks; SOAP XML Web Services Security; SQL Injection; Wireless SecurityPart 4 - Advanced Defenses - Audit Trail Analysis; Intrusion Detection Systems; Honeypots; Incident Response; Forensics and AntiforensicsPart 5 - AppendixReview"Know Your Enemy". This phrase is on the cover of the book Security Warrior, and it is an apt subtitle for the book. Very few security books on the market today do more than just tell you about the types of software and network attacks that exist. Peikari and Chuvakin go beyond the "what" of attacks and show you "how" to exploit systems and software. This book is definitely geared to the experienced developer or network administrator. For instance, the first eight pages is an explanation of assembly language, registers, stacks and the like. Each following chapter on reverse engineering then takes that knowledge and walks you through how to analyze an executable using tools that you can purchase or download. Obviously, if you have absolutely no assembler language knowledge, you'll be lost here. But if you have that background, you'll start to learn how hackers develop exploits, and how you can build more secure software once you understand the vulnerabilities.At the end of each chapter, the authors list a number of additional references (both books and websites) that can help you to further your understanding of the material presented. This is a great addition if you are looking to focus in on a particular type of attack, like those related to wireless security. At the website for the book, they have also made sample programs available that can be used by the reader to work through exercises in the book. For instance, when they present information on reverse engineering, they also provide a sample program that you can analyze and crack. A perfect way to lead the reader from theory to practical knowledge.The argument could be made that this book could be used by crackers to learn how to break software. The reality is that this information is already out there. A book like this will help those who are trying to prevent break-ins understand the methods that are being used against them. And henceforth, the sub-title "Know Your Enemy".One caveat about the book... Be very careful with the material presented in

A programmer friend of mine recently opined to me that security books tend not only to inform the "good guys" (sys admins and network security folk) about how attacks and hacker invasions occur, but also the "bad guys." I suspect most of the so-called "bad guys" already know the information presented in books like these. And if the "bad guys" already know most of the tricks, what better way to fight them than to use those "tricks" against them? This is the book's main purpose, to show the reader computer security from the perspective of the person trying to attack and invade your computer or network. This is clearly not a book for beginners, as the book's introduction states this. It is for system admins and others interested in learning all they can about computer security. It truly provides a wealth of information in its 500 pages about different ways those so inclined can wreak havoc on your computer system or network. There are chapters on "reverse engineering" programs (after a brief introduction to assembly language which the book points out gives you lots of control over a computer's CPU). These are ways you can reverse engineer programs in Windows, Windows CE (interesting how before reading this book I'd never given thought to how handheld devices could also be attacked and/or infected with virii or worms), and Linux. This of course proves that even the Linux OS is not as secure as some might think.I liked the chapter on social engineering because it proves how you can infiltrate a system by researching the company for specific names and charm your way into getting sensitive information, which leads into "online reconnaissance" and also ways to hide your tracks (or is this known as "covering your ass?) so you don't get caught?There's a whole section of the book that describes attacks on various platforms (Unix, Windows Client & Windows Server, SQL and Wireless) and the book's last section describes methods of defense against them.This is a book with an amazing amount of information that at first glance may scare the living daylights out of some sys admins when they learn of the relative ease with which a system can be compromised. Then again, most security experts know of the risks and dangers involved with computer security. And I've always felt that to defend yourself against an attack, you should "know the enemy." This book offers lots of ways and "tricks" to do just that.

..."Security Warrior" is a heavyweight contender. Peikari and Chuvakin offer a dark counterpart to O'Reilly classics like "Practical UNIX and Internet Security" (PUAIS) and "Securing Windows NT/2000 Servers for the Internet." If you've been waiting for the next good security book from O'Reilly, "Security Warrior" (SW) is it.Part I, "Software Cracking," was my favorite section. This material is largely not for beginners, which marked a welcome change from many competing books. Part I gave an introduction to assembly language, followed by reverse engineering exercises on Windows, Linux, and Windows CE. I admit a good portion of the section was beyond my skill level, but I was able to "patch" binaries to alter program flow and even use a buffer overflow to execute previously unreachable code in a sample program. These sorts of "hands-on" exercises were informative and enjoyable.In the second part, "Network Stalking," I was pleased to see page 181 correctly state the role played by TCP sequence numbers. (Many authors are confused by this concept, oddly.) An entire chapter on social engineering advice was certainly novel. For the rest of the book, my favorite chapter (number 10) discussed techniques to frustrate forensic analysis. A fairly brief chapter on SQL injection made good points as did an examination of mathematics' role in intrusion detection in chapter 19. My only real criticism of SW centers on inclusion of generic security information. I didn't mark the book down for chapters on securing UNIX, for example, as the material is sound. However, if you've got PUAIS you can skip chapters 11 and 12. SW has something for everyone in the security community. It's a broad survey of current security issues, ranging from detailed analysis of assembly language to case studies on incident response. The authors have packed a lot of value into their 500+ page work.