Notices

  • Exam Discussion Embargo Lifted & Solutions

    Posted by Sean Yeoh Saturday 03 November 2018, 05:14:54 PM.

    Hi All,

    Congratulations on finishing the COMP6447 exam. Hopefully you all found the course fun and rewarding. You can now discuss details of the exam freely as everyone has completed the exam. Solutions are available here: https://github.com/secedu/comp6447-exam-solutions .

    If you have a few spare minutes, could you please fill out this survey so we can improve the course next year. We take this feedback seriously and onboard in future iterations of the course and we sincerely appreciate any feedback: https://goo.gl/forms/I43eNolejAhfDQV73

    If you're concerned about your performance of the exam, do not fret, we will consider the difficulty of the exam in marking.

    We will release more information about a supplementary exam at a later date.

    If you have any other formal questions, please let us know.

    Thanks,

    Sean

  • Exam Available for Download

    Posted by Tek Huynh Friday 02 November 2018, 06:15:53 PM.

    Hey guys,

    Before arriving, please make sure you read all the exam instructions carefully here http://exam.6447.sec.edu.au/ . The exam will commence at 9.00am so please try arrive at least 15 minutes before the exam begins. Please remember to bring your ID card.

    The exam page has been updated with a link to the encrypted exam files. You may download this file in preparation for tomorrow. The password to the file will be released at the beginning of the exam. Please ensure you understand how to decrypt the exam files using the practice binaries.

    The website has also been updated with details about the VM which will be available for you to use during the exam. Just a reminder that you may choose to use your own laptop for the exam or the provided VM, or both.

    If you have downloaded the exam files within the last few hours, there has been an update to the instructions file inside the tarball and this has been mirrored on the exam website. We suggest you download the exam file again if you have already done so before this announcement.

    Also, just a reminder that the exam has a strict no communication rule. Please close all communication applications on your device and do not have them open for the duration of the exam. If we see any communication on your screen, you may receive 0 for the exam.

    You may need to do a hard refresh to see these changes on the exam website.

    I will see you tomorrow at the exam. Sleep well.

    Tek

  • Final Exam Notice

    Posted by Sean Yeoh Tuesday 30 October 2018, 05:04:32 PM.

    https://exam.6447.sec.edu.au/ Please check your seat allocations. I will try and answer any questions you have on slack (and will update the page with a FAQ as well). If you need special considerations, please contact us ASAP. You may need to get special considerations from Student Services if requesting special considerations.

  • Something not boring...

    Posted by Nina Rodgers Monday 22 October 2018, 06:35:25 PM.

    Hello!

    A friendly reminder to please hop on and do your myExperience survey. We actually look at this data and make changes to our courses.

    Last semester, we received lots of really constructive feedback for COMP6443 Web Apps and we will be implementing all of the suggestions made. We really value what you guys have to say and we do our best to deliver quality content to you.

    So please, tell us all your thoughts and feelings! And if it doesn't fit into the framework of the survey, send us an email or let's get a coffee!

    Thank you!

    Nina

    PS. Do the survey!

  • Week 12 Lecture Recordings

    Posted by Tek Huynh Monday 22 October 2018, 05:35:25 PM.

    Hey guise,

    Week 12 Lecture screen captures have been uploaded.

    Tek

  • Lecture 22nd October 2018

    Posted by Sean Yeoh Monday 22 October 2018, 11:18:01 AM.

    Hi All,

    Tonight's lecture is going ahead as scheduled. We have the one and only Mr Brinnles coming in and talking about monitor hacking. This content isn't assessable, but is definitely very interesting and shows practically how your exploitation and reversing skills can be put to "good" use.

    Sean

  • Final Rootkit submission size increase

    Posted by Tek Huynh Sunday 21 October 2018, 10:15:56 AM.

    Hey guize,

    I've increase the submission size limit from 10MB to 30MB. If you require even more, ping me on slack.

    Tekky

  • Revision Lecture Monday + MyExperience

    Posted by Sean Yeoh Saturday 13 October 2018, 04:30:02 PM.

    Due to more unforeseen circumstances, We won't be able to have Petr lecture this coming monday. Instead, we will be going over exam layout and doing revision. Please fill out this quick survey on what topics you would like to cover for revision. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd68IieU4SOiaTOn6baVXOVeHlsuf73IGgw5ABWTeGlEOuRQw/viewform?usp=sf_link

    Also, MyExperience surveys have been released. Could you please take the time to fill this in so we can improve the course for next year?

    --Sean

  • Lecture Cancelled 8/10/2018

    Posted by Sean Yeoh Monday 08 October 2018, 11:26:16 AM.

    Apologies for the late notice. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Oliver is unable to make the lecture today, as such the lecture today (8/10/2018) is cancelled.

    Please enjoy your Monday night.

  • Reminder: Lecture Tonight

    Posted by Tek Huynh Wednesday 03 October 2018, 11:42:29 AM.

    Hey guys,

    Just a friendly reminder that tonight we have a lecture by Ben Faull who we flew over from the US. He will be giving an overview of Windows Security focusing on memory corruption, discussing window sandboxing and sandbox escapes.

    This lecture will be held in Rupert Myers Theatre . The lecture will be recorded and available somewhat soon after the lecture as we know some of you have clashes with this time slot. Details are as follows:

    Week 10 Lecture Changes

    New Date : Wednesday 3rd October 2018

    New Location : Rupert Myers Theatre

    Time : 6:00pm

    Hope to seee you there!

    Tek

  • Midpoint Writeups Released

    Posted by Tek Huynh Sunday 30 September 2018, 12:01:02 PM.

    Greetings aspiring hackers,

    You may now download all the submitted midpoint rootkit writeups here:

    https://webcms3.cse.unsw.edu.au/COMP6447/18s2/resources/21207

    Other notices:

    Your lecture feedback will be much appreciated.

    Tek

  • Reminder: Lecture Today

    Posted by Tek Huynh Monday 24 September 2018, 11:53:07 AM.

    Hey guise,

    Just a friendly reminder that there will be a lecture on memecraft attacking cryptography today by Norman Yue. Please come join us. It will be fun . The contents of this lecture are not assessable, not recorded and "should be damn interesting" as quoted from Nina. Hope to see you there!

    Midsem Optional Lecture

    Date : Monday 24th September 2018

    Location Ainsworth 202

    Time : 6:00pm

  • Additional rootkit details

    Posted by Thomas Phillips Monday 17 September 2018, 05:08:50 PM.

    Additional details have been released regarding how the rootkits will be tested, along with a sample rootkit.tar to help you get started. Let me know if further clarification is needed.

    --tjp

  • Wargames 3 extension

    Posted by Tek Huynh Friday 14 September 2018, 11:18:16 PM.

    Hey guys,

    I've made a mistake while doing the give specifications. This means you will have an extra day to complete your wargames 3.

    I am so sorry about this mistake.

    Tek


  • Lecture Changes for Labor Day Public Holiday 1st Oct 2018

    Posted by Tek Huynh Thursday 13 September 2018, 12:38:41 PM, last modified Thursday 13 September 2018, 01:04:23 PM.

    Hi guys,

    On the 1st of October, there is a public holiday (Yay!). Because of this, we will be moving the Monday 6pm lecture to Wednesday 6pm . This lecture will be held in Rupert Myers Theatre . The lecture will be recorded and available somewhat soon after the lecture as we know some of you have clashes with this time slot. Details are as follows:

    Week 10 Lecture Changes

    New Date : Wednesday 3rd October 2018

    New Location : Rupert Myers Theatre

    Time : 6:00pm


    Also, there will also be an optional lecture during the midsem break by our beloved Norman Yue . I'm not one to hype things up but I think it will be lots of fun and jammed pack with cyber excellence. I've heard it my be how to haq memecraft but we don't actually know at this point in time [ EDIT : Norman will be talking about attacking cryptography]. This lecture will be held on the following date time and location:

    Midsem Optional Lecture

    Date : Monday 24th September 2018

    Location Ainsworth 202

    Time : 6:00pm


    Finally, next week Monday (week 9) we have Cramby (aka John Cramb) doing a lecture on Malware. John Cramb is one of our OG 9447 students and has sick hacking skillz.

    See you in class, (maybe)

    Tek

  • Wargame 4 Released and Seminar Reminder

    Posted by Tek Huynh Wednesday 12 September 2018, 11:10:01 AM.

    Hey guys,

    Wargame 4 has been released and contains 3 heap challenges. Also, just a friendly reminder that Glenny McDreamy will be doing a seminar on heap tonight to help introduce you to heap exploitation. We hope to upload the seminar recording a day or 2 after the seminar in the case you can't attend.

    Link to wargame 4: https://webcms3.cse.unsw.edu.au/COMP6447/18s2/resources/21000

    Seminar is at the usual time and location:

    Time : 6:00pm

    Location : Ainsworth G01

    Date : Wednesday 12 September 2018

    Hope to see you there and good luck with the wargames

    Tek

  • Lecture Feedback for Dr Silvio Cesare (Week 7)

    Posted by Nina Rodgers Tuesday 11 September 2018, 08:30:08 PM.

    Hey Team,

    Apologies for the delay on this one, I hope it's still fresh in your minds!

    Silvio would love to hear your feedback on his lecture, he is actually a lecturer down at UNSW Canberra and teaches loads of cyber security courses down there. If you're keen for us to get Silvio up more often for some workshops or short courses, please let us know!

    https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1X8kGrKSuARPsgZXt5...

    As always, appreciate your feedback, this is one of our best ways of gauging what you guys want and how we are doing. So thanks!!!

    Nina

  • Rubens Lecture Feedback

    Posted by Tek Huynh Tuesday 11 September 2018, 09:35:38 AM.

    Hey guys,

    Ruben does a lot of presentations but does not usually get feedback from them. It would really help him if you guys could spare a minute or 2 and complete a survey on last nights lecture.

    https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeNPHk4fk...

    Thanks heaps!

    Tek

  • Speed Dating

    Posted by Tek Huynh Thursday 06 September 2018, 12:18:40 PM.

    Hey guys,

    We will be running Speed Dating in the seclab from 4pm to 6pm. This is the room on K17 ground floor with the RGB lighting, next to the male toilets, has glass walls and has secedu branding all over it.

    There will be cordial, nibbles, questionable music and at least 1 person you can talk to (tek).

    Pre-drinks will start when tek arrives with the cordial.

    I will be providing a list of zIDs of people to each participant so you can discretely indicate your preferences. You will also be required to wear a name tag with your zID which I will provide for you to write on. At the end, you will give your preferences back to me and I will play match maker, contacting you with your perfect matches. You may still submit a team of 4 if you happen to be able to form one.

    You may join in on the fun even if you have a team. We would like you to get to know your peers better and make new friends.

    Some ice breakers:

    • Perl or Python?
    • Tabs or Spaces?
    • Whats your handle?
    • Can you be my friend?
    • Can you show me your vim?

    Banned questions:

    • Can I be in a group of 5?

    I really hope that all of you that attend will have a great time networking with your peers.

    I am currently watching this video and adapting it to our needs.

    <iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/kdngutnYjcY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>

  • Rootkit VM Ready

    Posted by Tek Huynh Thursday 06 September 2018, 10:11:12 AM.

    https://cloudstor.aarnet.edu.au/plus/s/tjrSUTHLA1v...

    The spec has been updated with the download link to the VM containing the FreeBSD installation that you will be building your rootkits for.

  • Rop Seminar Tonight

    Posted by Tek Huynh Wednesday 05 September 2018, 11:31:37 AM.

    Hey guys,

    This is just a friendly reminder that gleminem will be doing a seminar on ROP tonight.

    Date : Sep 5 2018

    Location : Ainsworth G01

    Time : 6:00pm

    You are encouraged to come and join in on the fun. The seminar will be recorded and we will try to get it uploaded on Thursday or Friday. After Glenn does his talk, you will be able to ask questions and maybe get hints and tips on solving your Wargame 3.

  • Register your groups

    Posted by Tek Huynh Tuesday 04 September 2018, 02:40:48 PM.

    Hey guys, remember that you should register your groups at https://goo.gl/forms/kx0q82ZP8WPYeAW72 by the end of Wednesday.

    You may group up with anyone currently officially enrolled in the course.

    If you don't have a group by then, there will be a speed dating session at 4pm Thursday (6/9/18) in the seclab to help you find your perfect group.

    You may view the registered groups here https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1I2mWLsmjt4... . There is conditional formatting to highlight duplicate entries.

  • Misc-1/Misc-2 updated

    Posted by Thomas Phillips Friday 31 August 2018, 05:56:16 PM.

    Challenges misc-1 and misc-2 have been updated to fix an unintended solution, and their flags have been changed. If you've already solved them, make sure your solution still works and that you've got the updated flag (you can check the scoreboard)

    Note that their address has also changed to misc.6447.sec.edu.au:[8005:8006]

    --tjp

  • Feedback please!

    Posted by Nina Rodgers Thursday 30 August 2018, 01:11:29 PM.

    Hey team!

    If you attended Monday's lecture, please fill out the following survey

    https://goo.gl/forms/onKQjZLQcBBdIIit2

    TY!

    Nina

  • Thomas' tutes moved to Oud

    Posted by Tek Huynh Thursday 30 August 2018, 11:46:59 AM.

    Hey guys, the tutes today are in Oud as there are renovations in the sec lab.

  • Wargame 3 Released

    Posted by Tek Huynh Wednesday 29 August 2018, 08:12:40 PM.

    Wargame 3 has been released

    Wargame 1 has been marked.

    If you have questions about your marks, please send them to the class account.

    Tek

  • Seminar Tonight

    Posted by Tek Huynh Wednesday 29 August 2018, 11:02:44 AM.

    Hey guys,

    Tonight, Adam Tanana has kindly offered to run a seminar on format strings. He will also be helping with Wargame 2 afterwards. You are all welcome to come if you need help with your wargames or want to help others with their format strings. It will be fun. There may be food.

    Date: 29 August 2018

    Time : 6:00pm to 8:00pm

    Location : Ainsworth G01

    Also, next week and the week after, Glenn McGuire will be running seminars on ROP and Heap so keep your schedule free for those too. It will be the same time a place (during our Wednesday seminar time slots).

  • Midsem Marks

    Posted by Tek Huynh Tuesday 21 August 2018, 11:36:07 PM.

    Hey gize,

    I finished marking.

    If you have a problem with your mark, whether it be too high or too low and you don't know why, send an email to cs6447@cse.unsw.edu.au or come talk to me if you see me around.

    You can view your mark by executing the following:

    6447 classrun -collect midsem

    Alternatively, you may use this page (which seems to be working now):

    https://webcms3.cse.unsw.edu.au/COMP6447/18s2/resources/20454

    Partial marks were awarded if you had no flag but you wrote something sensible.

    KByeee

  • Post Exam Survey

    Posted by Sean Yeoh Tuesday 21 August 2018, 10:08:48 AM.

    Hi everyone!

    Hope you enjoyed the mid-semester exam. We'll be marking and releasing the results near foreseeable future (definitely before census date).

    This is the first time we've run the exam with pre-released problems and in this format. Could you please take 3 minutes to fill in this survey so we can get some feedback on your thoughts on the questions and layout of the exam ( https://goo.gl/forms/EdOgY2I9C0eslnB32 ).

    --sean

  • Exam Instructions

    Posted by Tek Huynh Sunday 19 August 2018, 05:01:04 PM.

    Hi guys,

    The exam instructions will be released early so that you can come to the exam room prepared. They are available here:

    https://midsem.6447.sec.edu.au/

    The password to the binaries will be released at 6:10pm tomorrow on the above website and by your invigilator. You may download the encrypted tar ahead of the exam and bring it to the exam.

    Please make sure you have gone through the practice exam to ensure you understand how to decrypt the binaries and also to understand the general format of the challenges. We will not give you extra time for you to do this in the exam.

    Please remember to bring your student ID and know your seating allocation.

    If you find any missing info or need clarification on any points, please post in the slack and @tek or @sy.

  • Exam style practice challenge

    Posted by Thomas Phillips Friday 17 August 2018, 07:50:32 PM.

    We've released a practice challenge in the same style as the mini-exam challenges. You can download the binary and access the challenge with the details listed below

    challenge: practice.6447.sec.edu.au:4000
    binary: https://cloudstor.aarnet.edu.au/plus/s/HhVHQHAdvV2...

    The tar file containing the challenge has been encrypted, you can decrypt it with the gpg command. (You will be required to do this during the exam)

    gpg practice.tar.gpg (the password is password)

    Exploit the binary to retrieve the flag on the remote system.

    --tjp

  • Exam Location and Seating allocations

    Posted by Tek Huynh Friday 17 August 2018, 04:04:33 PM.

    Link to Seating Allocations

    https://cgi.cse.unsw.edu.au/~cs6447/18s2/seating/midterm/allocations/seating.html

    The above link will take you to a page with everybody's seating allocations. You will need to provide your zID and zPass to gain access to the page.

    You will be seated in either Sitar, Oboe or Kora, which are all in J17 Ainsworth level 3.

    If you are one of 3 students that require extra provisions, your exam will be held in the SecLab. I will also be contacting you guys a bit later in a separate email.

    Please remember to bring your student card as we will be checking your ID against your allocated seat. If you happen to forget your student card, a government issued identification card may be used as a substitute.

    If you do not require extra provisions, are enrolled in the course and do not have an seat allocation, please email cs6447@cse.unsw.edu.au ASAP.

    If you are an unofficial student, please do not attend the exam.There is no space in the lab for you so please don't rock up and randomly sit in a seat. We may or may not release this exam at a later date.




  • Details about the mini-exam

    Posted by Thomas Phillips Wednesday 15 August 2018, 10:19:40 PM.

    Details about the mini-exam CTF.

    • Two hours, taking place during the evening lecture on the 20th of August, worth 10%
    • Internet access allowed. No restrictions on tools used.
    • Bring your own laptop. Email us immediately if you cannot bring one.
    • 2x Buffer Overflow challenges.
    • 1x Format String challenge.
    • All challenges are equally marked. One mark per challenge for retrieving the flag.
    • Source code will not be provided.
    • Challenges are hosted remotely (You will be given an address+port for each challenge).
    • You will be given a copy of the binaries to write an exploit for. Each challenge can be triggered to print a flag, in the form of 6447{some_uuid}. You will need to exploit the remotely hosted binary to retrieve the flag for that challenge.

    Other notes

    • The binaries provided to you will not contain the real flag. You must exploit the remote binary.
    • Be prepared to exploit the binaries over the network. If you've only tried exploiting the wargames by running them directly,
      make sure to try exploting the wargames listening over the network on the wargame VM as well.

  • Submissions Open

    Posted by Tek Huynh Monday 13 August 2018, 12:06:53 PM.

    Hey guys,

    I have finished setting up give so you will be able submit your wargame writeups now. The give instructions have been updated in the wargame spec

    Tek

  • Videos and slides Week 4

    Posted by Nina Rodgers Monday 13 August 2018, 10:54:47 AM.

    Hey all!

    I've added a link under course work of some old videos. Please note, these videos have not been fully reviewed and the editing may be incomplete but we thought they might come in handy. The slides used in the videos match those presented by Brendan in previous lectures and those he will be using tonight.

    NB: I have also added more lecture slides to Week 4 which Brendan sent though over the weekend.

    glhf

    Nina

  • Wargame advice

    Posted by Thomas Phillips Friday 10 August 2018, 03:08:56 PM.

    Hello all

    What with the weekend coming up, and the first set of binary challenges released, I'd just like to remind everyone that
    the wargames are due on the 20th, the date of the exam.

    As a student who has taken this course in the past, binary exploitation is not something you can learn in 48 hours
    under pressure.
    I'd strongly advise trying to give yourself some time before your next tute to attempt the wargame challenges.
    Binary exploitation is a difficult skill, with a lot of small challenges that you might not expect in advance,
    and the amount of time each challenge will personally take you is hard to estimate.

    Binary exploits = hardcore, Self directed learning is expected, but if you're still having issues
    we're here to help (in the seceduau/#comp6447 slack channel), just make sure not to leave it until the last minute.


    Thanks
    --tjp

  • Reversing Homework :)

    Posted by Nina Rodgers Thursday 09 August 2018, 10:54:45 AM.

    Hello friends!

    Brendan has some homework for you this week:

    https://how2haq.com/re.htm

    You do not need to submit anything but please read and do the exercise.

    glhf

    Nina

  • Wargames 1 and 2 released

    Posted by Tek Huynh Monday 06 August 2018, 08:32:49 PM.

    Hey guys,

    This is a notice to inform you that the wargames are released and that they count towards your final marks.

    Tek

  • Lecture Week 2 - Lecture Slides Uploaded

    Posted by Sean Yeoh Tuesday 31 July 2018, 05:41:08 PM, last modified Tuesday 02 October 2018, 02:57:59 PM.

    The slides for linux priv esc have been uploaded.

    https://webcms3.cse.unsw.edu.au/COMP6447/18s2/resources/17380 .

    There is no lecture recording for week 2.

  • Lecture Week 1 - Lecture Slides Uploaded

    Posted by Sean Yeoh Monday 30 July 2018, 06:56:24 PM.

    The slides for how computers/memory works has been uploaded. There also is a recorded version from previous years uploaded linked. https://webcms3.cse.unsw.edu.au/COMP6447/18s2/resources/17379 . No other content will be released for week 1.

    Slides for week 2 will be uploaded shortly. There is no lecture recording of week 2.

  • Lecture Week 2 - Vuln.s and Priv. Esc. in Linux and Unix systems

    Posted by Nina Rodgers Thursday 26 July 2018, 05:01:44 PM.

    Hello!!!

    Next week's lecture will be presented by Sagi Shahar who is a Senior Manager in Digital Assurance at Commbank in Perth. Sagi will be presenting on vulnerabilities and privilege escalation in Linux and Unix systems.

    Sagi has designed a corresponding workshop which will be what the tutors take you through next week. Please ensure you have something that can run VMs such as VMware or VirtualBox on your machine. I will share the link via the lectures tab.

    This lecture will not be recorded however we will be sharing the slide deck afterwards.

    Happy hacking!

    Nina

  • Lecture Slides & Lecture Recordings

    Posted by Sean Yeoh Thursday 26 July 2018, 04:14:37 PM, last modified Tuesday 07 August 2018, 02:40:18 PM.

    Hello Students,

    Due to the nature of the content presented and discussed in the subject and the companies who presenters represent, most lectures will not be recorded or shared. In some cases, slides may not become available afterwards.

    We will ensure you are fully informed about what is and isn't assessable content. We encourage you to discuss the subject with your peers and the course staff on the #comp6447 channel on the SECedu Slack channel (https://seceduau.slack.com/). If you do not have an account, you may register with your UNSW email. We will also open up some forums on WebCMS3 where people can share links to tools and resources.

    This is a subject which heavily relies on self-directed learning and the student community. If you cannot attend lectures, we do not recommend taking this course.

    Kind regards,

    6447 course staff

  • Welcome to COMP6447 System and Software Security Assessment!

    Posted by Nina Rodgers Monday 23 July 2018, 10:05:36 AM.

    Hello all!

    I hope you all enjoyed your break and are all looking forward to the first lecture tonight! This week there will be no tutorials or seminars.

    The email account for this course is cs6447@cse.unsw.edu.au and your course admin is Tek Huynh. Sean Yeoh will also be assisting in the running of this course. This email address reaches all of us so should you have any questions, just send us a message.

    We will be in touch with more info soon!

    Kind regards,

    Nina


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