#TripwireBookClub – Gray Hat Python

In this third installment of #TripwireBookClub, we look at “Gray Hat Python,” written by Justin Seitz and published by No Starch Press. I had the opportunity to briefly meet Justin at CanSecWest the year this book was published, which only increased my interest in the book and ensured my preorder. I read it back then (2009), and now, nine years later, I could definitely stand to read it again.

However, having read it in the past, I presented it for a book club but did not reread it. Seeing the reviews from members of VERT, I feel that I did myself a disservice, but I also feel like I want to hold out hope that we might see a second edition that modernizes the book before I delve into it again.

I remember that I looked forward to days when I could open IDA Pro or Immunity Debugger at work, and I found reasons to open them at night when I got home. Python was my primary programming language for both personal and professional development, and this book was everything I wanted in new reading material. I think one of the reasons I did not read the book is because looking back through rose-colored glasses, this was the perfect book.

I suspect in many ways it still is, as dated as it may be, but here’s what others within VERT had to say.

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Reading Justin Seitz’s book “Gray Hat Python” was an absolute pleasure. The book is a bit old, as it was published in 2009. However, most of the tools and techniques illustrated in the book are still very relevant for reverse engineers and pentesters.

Justin does a great job at providing just enough background information for each topic, and the scope of the writing (Read more...)