Course Overview

C++ is one of the most powerful programming languages in the world, widely used in systems programming, embedded systems, game development, and performance-critical applications. However, its low-level capabilities also make it prone to security vulnerabilities if not handled with care. Learning secure programming techniques in C++ is crucial for developers aiming to build robust and safe software systems. This course focuses on writing secure C++ code while understanding and mitigating common pitfalls that lead to vulnerabilities.

This course begins with the foundations of C++ programming, including object-oriented principles, C++17 features, and best practices for writing clean, maintainable code. It then dives deep into secure coding topics like integer vulnerabilities, buffer overflows, memory management issues, pointer misuse, and injection attacks. Learners will also explore multithreaded programming pitfalls, exception handling, error management, and industry standards such as the OWASP Top Ten, CVEs, and CWEs. Practical demonstrations of real-world attacks and their mitigations are woven throughout to reinforce secure coding practices.

By the end, learners will gain hands-on experience identifying, exploiting, and remediating common C++ vulnerabilities, preparing them to write secure, efficient, and professional-grade C++ applications.

What You Will Learn

  • Fundamentals of creating secure code in C++
  • New C++ features and how to take advantage of them
  • Identifying common C++ programming vulnerabilities
  • Developing tests for common C++ vulnerabilities
  • Designing code to safely perform parallel processing
  • Securely managing errors in C++ code
  • Best practice's for C++ development

Program Curriculum

  • The Object-Oriented Paradigm
  • Getting Familiar with C++ Libraries and Frameworks
  • Developing Your First C++ Application
  • $7 Million Cybersecurity Scholarship by EC-Council
  • Chapter 1 Quiz

  • Variable Types and Typecasting in C++
  • Integer Overflow Vulnerabilities
  • Integer Underflow Vulnerabilities
  • Secure File Management through Files, Classes, and Streams
  • Introduction to Format String Specifiers
  • Controlled Execution with Formatted Outputs
  • Chapter 2 Quiz

  • Inside the Stack
  • Stack-based Butter Overflow Vulnerabilities
  • Introduction to the Heap
  • Nonstack Buffer Overflow
  • Dynamic Memory Allocation
  • Chapter 3 Quiz

  • A Few Key Points about Pointers
  • Null Pointer Dereference
  • Misusing Freed Memory
  • Deep versus Shallow Object Copies
  • Chapter 4 Quiz

  • The Dangers of Untrusted Input
  • Database Injection with SQL
  • Running Malicious Code with Command Injection
  • Breaking LDAP with Injection
  • XML Hijinks with XPath Injection
  • Manipulating the Filesystem with Resource Injection
  • Chapter 5 Quiz

  • The Many Benefits of Parallel Processing
  • Race Conditions Make Code Unpredictable
  • Locking Down Parallel Processing
  • Securely Using Temporary Files
  • Chapter 6 Quiz

  • Introduction to SEH
  • Many Different Types of Exceptions
  • Handling All of the Errors
  • Plugging Information Leaks in Error Messages
  • Chapter 7 Quiz

  • Introduction to The OWASP Top Ten
  • Tracking Errors and Vulnerabilities
  • Exploring C++ Best Practices
  • Chapter 8 Quiz
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Instructor

Howard Poston

Howard Poston has over a decade of experience in C, C++, Java programming and a background in cybersecurity. He is a blockchain and cybersecurity trainer, writer, consultant, and researcher and has a Master’s degree in Cyber Operations, and is a Certified Ethical Hacker. Howard also has experience in teaching online courses, having created and delivered half a dozen different courses live, remotely, and on-demand on different cybersecurity topics

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