Introduction to Windows Kernel Mode Debugging

Yamin Tian - Introduction to Windows Kernel Mode Debugging Debugging is a very practical science, and an underappreciated component of creating secure software. Specifically, debugging in the kernel is extremely useful for creating efficiencies, finding the root cause of problems, and crafting more secure software. It also helps us to establish a deeper understanding of the operating system internals, which is one of the fundamentals for security experts. Moreover, there is a growing movement toward ‘baking’ in security from the beginning, and debugging in the kernel is essential toward making this a reality. The audience will gain insight on the overarching thought processes for approaching different types of software issues, including identifying which command or tool to use and how to root cause the issue, as well as better understanding on how the operating system internally works and how to improve software quality and security. I hope to encourage others to explore the exciting world of debugging in the kernel, and show how these skills are a core component of resilient security. This talk assumes an introductory c programming background, and a general understanding of operating systems.