Inheritance and Polymorphism in C++ – Ghidra Reversing Tutorials

Reverse engineering C++ applications often involves understanding complex concepts like inheritance and polymorphism. These features are fundamental to object-oriented programming and can significantly impact how you analyze and reverse-engineer compiled binaries. In this article, we’ll explore how to identify and analyze polymorphic behavior and inheritance in C++ using Ghidra, a powerful reverse engineering tool.

You Should Know:

1. Understanding Inheritance in C++:

Inheritance allows a class to derive properties and behaviors from another class. In reverse engineering, this means that functions and data structures may be shared across multiple classes, making it essential to trace the inheritance hierarchy.

• Ghidra Command: Use the `Class Hierarchy` viewer in Ghidra to visualize the inheritance structure of classes.
• Practice Code:

  class Base {
  public:
  virtual void display() {
  cout << "Base class" << endl;
  }
  };</li>
  </ul>
  
  class Derived : public Base {
  public:
  void display() override {
  cout << "Derived class" << endl;
  }
  };
  

  2. Polymorphism and Virtual Tables:

  Polymorphism allows objects of different classes to be treated as objects of a common base class. This is typically implemented using virtual tables (vtables) in C++.

  • Ghidra Command: Search for `vtable` symbols in Ghidra to locate virtual function tables.
  • Practice Code:

    Base* obj = new Derived();
    obj->display(); // Output: "Derived class"
    

  3. Analyzing Object Composition:

  When reversing C++ binaries, understanding how objects are composed is crucial. Look for constructors, destructors, and member function calls to identify object relationships.

  • Ghidra Command: Use the `Function Graph` to analyze constructor and destructor calls.
  • Practice Code:

    class Component {
    public:
    void operation() {
    cout << "Component operation" << endl;
    }
    };</li>
    </ul>
    
    class Composite {
    private:
    Component* component;
    public:
    Composite() {
    component = new Component();
    }
    void execute() {
    component->operation();
    }
    };
    

    4. Identifying Polymorphic Behavior:

    Polymorphic behavior can be identified by tracing function calls through vtables. In Ghidra, look for indirect function calls and analyze the vtable entries.

    • Ghidra Command: Use the `Decompiler` to analyze indirect function calls and vtable references.
    • Practice Code:

      Base* objects[] = { new Base(), new Derived() };
      for (auto obj : objects) {
      obj->display(); // Output: "Base class" and "Derived class"
      }
      

    5. Practical Steps for Reverse Engineering:

    • Load the binary in Ghidra and analyze the symbol table for class names and vtables.
    • Use the `Data Type Manager` to define custom C++ structures.
    • Trace function calls to understand the flow of execution and identify polymorphic behavior.

    What Undercode Say:

    Reverse engineering C++ applications requires a deep understanding of object-oriented principles like inheritance and polymorphism. By leveraging Ghidra’s powerful tools, you can effectively analyze complex binaries and uncover hidden behaviors. Practice with real-world examples and experiment with different binaries to strengthen your reverse engineering skills.

    Expected Output:

    • Visualized class hierarchy in Ghidra.
    • Identified vtable structures and polymorphic function calls.
    • Reconstructed C++ object relationships and compositions.

    For further reading, check out the full tutorial on YouTube: Inheritance and Polymorphism in C++ – Ghidra Reversing Tutorials.

    References:

    Reported By: Joshstroschein Inheritance – Hackers Feeds
    Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
    Basic Verification: Pass ✅

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