Windows and Linux Kernel Exploitation Concepts
RCCE students will learn how kernel attack surfaces differ from user-space targets and why privilege boundaries, drivers, system calls, and memory protections matter in advanced exploitation. RCCE students will learn to understand common kernel bug classes, analyze attack preconditions, evaluate the impact of privilege escalation, and appreciate the defensive implications of low-level exploitation research. The course covers practical scenarios ranging from vulnerability concepts to exploitation pathways, mitigations, and detection considerations. RCCE students will learn to analyze complex systems and think like an attacker to better defend the organization. This comprehensive course delivers practical knowledge applicable to real-world cybersecurity operations. Starting from foundational concepts, RCCE students will learn through a combination of concept explanation, practical demonstration, and hands-on exercises.
- Security Engineers building defensive controls
- Security Analysts and Blue Team members
- Systems Administrators with security responsibilities
- GRC and Risk Professionals supporting controls
- Professionals implementing Windows and Linux Kernel Exploitation Concepts
- Execute hands-on tasks for exploitation concepts
- Execute hands-on tasks for advanced • offensive security
- Design a scalable privilege management architecture with policy and enforcement
- Execute hands-on tasks for monolithic kernel (linux) — covering All services run in kernel space, Executive services + HAL + drivers.
- Execute hands-on tasks for hybrid kernel (windows nt) — covering All services run in kernel space.
- Execute hands-on tasks for key architectural differences — covering Linux exposes ~450 syscalls; Windows exposes ~470+ via Nt/Zw API.
- Explain Kernel Attack Surface Overview fundamentals
- Execute hands-on tasks for system calls
- Execute hands-on tasks for device drivers
- Execute hands-on tasks for file systems
- Execute hands-on tasks for network stack
- Execute hands-on tasks for ring 3 — user applications
| Module 01 | Exploitation Concepts |
| Module 02 | Advanced • Offensive Security |
| Module 03 | Kernel Architecture Fundamentals |
| Module 04 | Monolithic Kernel (Linux) |
| Module 05 | Hybrid Kernel (Windows NT) |
| Module 06 | Key Architectural Differences |
| Module 07 | Kernel Attack Surface Overview |
| Module 08 | System Calls |
| Module 09 | Device Drivers |
| Module 10 | File Systems |
| Module 11 | Network Stack |
| Module 12 | Ring 3 — User Applications |
| Module 13 | Ring 0 — Kernel / Drivers |
| Module 14 | System Call Interface — Windows |
All hands-on labs run on Rocheston Rose X OS. Students practice windows and linux kernel exploitation concepts by implementing the controls discussed in class, with a focus on real-world deployment, monitoring, and validation.
- Lab 1: Execute hands-on tasks for exploitation concepts
- Lab 2: Execute hands-on tasks for advanced • offensive security
- Lab 3: Design a scalable privilege management architecture with policy and enforcement
- Lab 4: Execute hands-on tasks for monolithic kernel (linux)
- Lab 5: Execute hands-on tasks for hybrid kernel (windows nt)
Upon successful completion of this course, students will receive an official RCCE Course Completion Certificate for Windows and Linux Kernel Exploitation Concepts, verifiable through the Rocheston certification portal.
- Full access to all course materials and slide decks
- Hands-on lab access on Rocheston Rose X OS environment
- Access to Rocheston CyberNotes
- Access to Rocheston Zelfire — EDR/XDR SIEM platform
- Access to Rocheston Raven — online cyber range exercise platform
- Access to Rocheston Vulnerability Vines AI