RE: locating exploits in open source

["Mike Vella" <mike () bakerross co uk>]

You may wish to take a look at assembly language. It will give you a good
grounding in understanding why\how buffer overflows are exploited.
It will highlight the importance of good coding practices.
You will need to be familiar with a programming language to truly have fun
with this.
I wish I had more time to contribute to these forums! I could type for a
long time about such things.
Take a look here , someone posted it a week or two ago..

http://www.securitytube.net/groups?operation=view&groupId=5



-----Original Message-----
From: listbounce () securityfocus com [mailto:listbounce () securityfocus com] On
Behalf Of Littlefield, Tyler
Sent: 22 May 2012 16:20
To: security-basics () securityfocus com
Subject: locating exploits in open source

Hello all:
Before I dive into reverse engineering, I'd like to start off smaller.
I understand bits and pieces of some exploits, so I'd like to start work on
my own to help contribute somehow. Given source code to a project, how do
people usually proceed with finding exploits? I've played with some, and
have some understanding of how they work, but the actual figuring out how to
make them is beyond me; tips and etc would be welcome.

Here's kind of what I am thinking to get going. There are static analysis
tools like splint and clang has one as well, that I could run over the code
and look for "unsafe" functions that I could possibly exploit where they are
used. Using this I will need a deeper understanding of buffer overflows, but
I think it can be done. Are there other entrypoints to this as well?

Thanks,
Ty

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Securing Apache Web Server with thawte Digital Certificate
In this guide we examine the importance of Apache-SSL and who needs an SSL certificate.  We look at how SSL works, how 
it benefits your company and how your customers can tell if a site is secure. You will find out how to test, purchase, 
install and use a thawte Digital Certificate on your Apache web server. Throughout, best practices for set-up are 
highlighted to help you ensure efficient ongoing management of your encryption keys and digital certificates.

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