Boston Red Hat March Meetup, Security Edition #1 - Stack Magic Explained

Hi Guys,
I've come up with a new angle for the meetup this month. People really want in-depth technology presentations - to learn things. So you asked for it, here it is...

The next 5 meetups will focus on running Red Hat systems securely. Anyone who wants to protect thier network and systems from hackers should find this series very interesting - particularly since the number and frequency of bold-faced attacks on the Internet seems to be on the rise. This will be the first of the series.

For the March 2 meetup, I will be presenting and opening a discussion on the famous Phrack article called "SMASHING THE STACK FOR FUN AND PROFIT", by Aleph One. If you haven't read the article, it's here:

http://www.insecure.o...

Background: Phrack is an online, underground magazine written by hackers. The article explains how buffer overflow attacks are performed at a low level. These attacks are commonly used to break into computer systems - and if you've been running Red Hat in the public for awhile, you've been hacked. (No. I really think I can make that statement ;)).

Please scan the article before you arrive. (WARNING: The topic could be dry, or "low level" for some, but beers after should help.) The meetup will be at the Neptune office, run exactly 6-7:15, with beers after at a Davis Square pub.

If you host anything on a public IP and want to protect yourself from these attacks, you need to understand how these attacks are done. This stuff can really appear to be magic - still does to me. My presentation will cover the article - so that you don't have to pour through every detail - and with a few real-world bits thrown in. Then I'm going to ask the audience a few questions, because I still don't understand assembly language very well.