Exploring Linux's New Random Kmalloc Caches
Let's explore the modern kernel heap exploitation meta and how the new RANDOM_KMALLOC_CACHES tries to address it.…
Linternals: The Slab Allocator
This time we're going to build on that and introduce another memory allocator found within the Linux kernel, the slab allocator, and it's various flavours. So buckle up as we dive into the exciting world of SLABs, SLUBs and SLOBs.…
Linternals: Introducing Memory Allocators & The Page Allocator
I know you've all been waiting for it, that's right, we're going to be taking a dive into another exciting aspect of Linux internals: memory allocators!…
Linternals: The Kernel Virtual Address Space
In this part of our journey into virtual memory in Linux, we cover the mystical kernel memory map and all it entails.…
Linternals: The User Virtual Address Space
We continue our journey to understand virtual memory in Linux, as we take a closer look at the user virtual address space.…
Linternals: Introducing Virtual Memory
Alright, let's get stuck into some Linternals! As the title suggests, this post will be exploring the ins and outs of virtual memory with regards to modern Linux systems. I say Linux systems, but this topic, like many in this series, treads the line between examining the Linux kernel and…
Linternals: The (Modern) Boot Process [0x02]
Welcome to the second part of my totally-wasn't-meant-to-be-a-one-part Linux internals post on the modern boot process! Last time I set the scene and covered the GUID Partition Table (GPT) scheme for formatting your storage device; briefly touched on what happens when you power on your computer and what happens when…
Linternals: The (Modern) Boot Process [0x01]
What more appropriate way to kick off a series on Linux internals than figuring out how we actually get those internals running in the first place? This post is going to cover the process that takes us from pressing a power button, to a fully usable Linux operating system. As…