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Application & OT Security · Advanced

Return-Oriented Programming (ROP)

A code-reuse exploitation technique that chains short existing instruction sequences ending in return instructions to bypass non-executable memory.

Definition

Because DEP prevents executing injected code, attackers reuse 'gadgets' already in executable memory. Defenses include ASLR, control-flow integrity, hardware shadow stacks (Intel CET) and pointer authentication (ARM PAC).

Example

Understanding ROP explains why shadow stacks were added to modern CPUs.

Exam tip

ROP bypasses DEP; CFI and shadow stacks mitigate ROP.

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