Reverse Engineering Roadmap

Prerequisites (Foundational Knowledge)

Operating Systems & Computer Architecture

• Learn how OS works: processes, memory, system calls, file systems
• Study computer architecture (x86/x86_64/ARM):
  • Registers, flags, stack, heap
• Recommended:
  • “Computer Systems: A Programmer’s Perspective”
  • “Operating Systems: Three Easy Pieces”

Programming Skills

• C and C++ (you’ll need this to understand compiled binaries)
• Assembly Language:
  • x86 and x86-64 at minimum
  • ARM if you’re interested in mobile/IoT RE
• Scripting: Python (for automating RE tasks)

Introduction to Reverse Engineering

Learn Basic RE Concepts:

• What is disassembly, decompilation?
• Static vs Dynamic Analysis
• Understanding binary formats: PE (Windows), ELF (Linux), Mach-O (macOS)

Tools:

• IDA Free / Ghidra / Binary Ninja (Disassemblers & Decompilers)
• x64dbg / OllyDbg / WinDbg (Windows Debuggers)
• radare2 / GDB / pwndbg (Linux Debuggers)
• Cutter (GUI frontend for radare2)

Static Analysis Skills

• Learn to read and interpret disassembled code
• Recognize standard library functions (e.g., strcmp, printf)
• Understand control flow graphs (CFGs), function prologues/epilogues

Focus Areas:

• String references
• API calls
• Code obfuscation techniques

Dynamic Analysis Skills

• Set breakpoints, step through code
• Modify registers, memory at runtime
• Trace system/API calls (e.g., with Procmon, strace, ltrace)
• Use frida, Valgrind, or unicorn for advanced instrumentation

Software Modifying

• Learn how to:
  • Bypass checks or popup dialogs
  • Modify control flow in binaries
  • Patch binaries (with tools like Hiew, LordPE, or 010 Editor)
• Understand:
  • Software protection mechanisms (packing, obfuscation)
  • Anti-debugging techniques and how to bypass them