64. Reverse Engineering 101

How to read binaries.

Basic Tools

GDB (GNU Debugger)

The standard Linux debugger. The foundation of dynamic analysis.

Key commands:

• break main - set a breakpoint
• run - run the program
• disassemble - disassemble code
• info registers - inspect register state
• stepi - step one instruction

LLDB

For macOS/iOS environments. Similar to GDB.

objdump / readelf

Static binary analysis.

Ghidra / IDA Pro

Advanced disassemblers and decompilers.

Basic Concepts

Assembly Language

Major x86-64 registers:

• rax - return value
• rdi, rsi, rdx - function arguments
• rsp - stack pointer
• rbp - base pointer

Learning Path

1. Assembly basics (1–2 weeks)
2. Debugger proficiency (1–2 weeks)
3. CTF crackmes (2–4 weeks)
4. Real-world binaries (ongoing)

Details will be updated later.