> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://alham-rizvi.gitbook.io/alhamrizvi/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://alham-rizvi.gitbook.io/alhamrizvi/binary-exp/05.-return-oriented-programming.md).

# ROP

> Return-Oriented Programming reference split into focused modules. Each file is self-contained and cross-linked.

***

## Files in This Series

| File                                                                                                                                                                     | Topic                                                               | When to Read            |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------- |
| [`01_fundamentals.md`](https://github.com/alhamrizvi-cloud/Binary-Exploitation/blob/main/05.%20Return%20Oriented%20Programming/REDmw_ROP_01_fundamentals.md)             | What ROP is, why it works, when it's used, core mental model        | Start here              |
| [`02_gadgets.md`](https://github.com/alhamrizvi-cloud/Binary-Exploitation/blob/main/05.%20Return%20Oriented%20Programming/REDmw_ROP_02_gadgets.md)                       | Gadget types, full catalog, ret2csu, finding gadgets                | Before building a chain |
| [`03_chain_construction.md`](https://github.com/alhamrizvi-cloud/Binary-Exploitation/blob/main/05.%20Return%20Oriented%20Programming/REDmw_ROP_03_chain_construction.md) | Step-by-step chain building, offset finding, 32 vs 64-bit, ASLR+PIE | Core workflow           |
| [`04_techniques.md`](https://github.com/alhamrizvi-cloud/Binary-Exploitation/blob/main/05.%20Return%20Oriented%20Programming/REDmw_ROP_04_techniques.md)                 | ret2libc, ret2plt, ret2syscall, ret2mprotect, stack pivot           | Pick your technique     |
| [`05_examples.md`](https://github.com/alhamrizvi-cloud/Binary-Exploitation/blob/main/05.%20Return%20Oriented%20Programming/REDmw_ROP_05_examples.md)                     | Four full worked exploits with C source + exploit script            | Hands-on practice       |
| [`06_advanced.md`](https://github.com/alhamrizvi-cloud/Binary-Exploitation/blob/main/05.%20Return%20Oriented%20Programming/REDmw_ROP_06_advanced.md)                     | BROP, SROP, ret2dl-resolve, JOP/COP, defenses                       | After mastering basics  |

***

## Recommended Reading Order

```
New to ROP?
  01_fundamentals → 02_gadgets → 03_chain_construction → 05_examples

Know the basics, need a technique?
  04_techniques → 05_examples

CTF / competition?
  03_chain_construction → 04_techniques → 05_examples

Advanced research?
  06_advanced
```

***

## Quick Cheat Sheet

```
SYSCALL NUMBERS (x86-64 Linux):
  read     =  0    rdi=fd,       rsi=buf,      rdx=count
  write    =  1    rdi=fd,       rsi=buf,      rdx=count
  open     =  2    rdi=path,     rsi=flags,    rdx=mode
  mprotect = 10    rdi=addr,     rsi=len,      rdx=prot
  execve   = 59    rdi=filename, rsi=argv,     rdx=envp
  exit     = 60    rdi=status

x86-64 CALLING CONVENTION:
  arg1=rdi  arg2=rsi  arg3=rdx  arg4=rcx  arg5=r8  arg6=r9
  return value = rax

PROT FLAGS:   READ=1  WRITE=2  EXEC=4  RWX=7

STACK ALIGNMENT:
  system() requires RSP 16-byte aligned before call
  Fix: add a bare `ret` gadget before system()

TOOLS:
  ROPgadget --binary ./t --rop
  ropper -f ./t --search "pop rdi"
  one_gadget /lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libc.so.6
  python3 -c "from pwn import *; r=ROP(ELF('./t')); print(r.dump())"
```


---

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