Uploaded December 2019 | Updated September 2026, 12 hours ago
Configuration Management (CM) tools are used to provision systems in a uniform manner. CM servers are prime targets for exploitation because they are connected with key machines. The tools themselves are powerful from a security standpoint: they allow an attacker to run commands on any and every connected system. Unfortunately, many security professionals do not have CM experience, which prevents them from using these tools effectively. MOSE empowers the user to weaponize an organization’s CM tools without having to worry about implementation-specific details.
MOSE first creates a binary based on user input. Once transferred to the CM server and run, this binary dynamically generates code that carries out the desired malicious behavior on specified systems. This behavior can include running arbitrary system commands, creating or deleting files, and introducing backdoors. MOSE puts the generated code in the proper place so that all targeted systems will run it on their next check-in with the server, removing the need for the user to integrate it manually.
CM tools are a powerful resource, but they have a barrier to entry. MOSE aims to remove this barrier and make post exploitation more approachable by providing a tool to translate the attacker's desired task into commands executable by the CM infrastructure.
Configuration Management (CM) tools are used to provision systems in a uniform manner. CM servers are prime targets for exploitation because they are connected with key machines. The tools themselves are powerful from a security standpoint: they allow an attacker to run commands on any and every connected system. Unfortunately, many security professionals do not have CM experience, which prevents them from using these tools effectively. MOSE empowers the user to weaponize an organization’s CM tools without having to worry about implementation-specific details.
MOSE first creates a binary based on user input. Once transferred to the CM server and run, this binary dynamically generates code that carries out the desired malicious behavior on specified systems. This behavior can include running arbitrary system commands, creating or deleting files, and introducing backdoors. MOSE puts the generated code in the proper place so that all targeted systems will run it on their next check-in with the server, removing the need for the user to integrate it manually.
CM tools are a powerful resource, but they have a barrier to entry. MOSE aims to remove this barrier and make post exploitation more approachable by providing a tool to translate the attacker's desired task into commands executable by the CM infrastructure.
![Black Hat USA 2018 - Mainframe [z/OS] Reverse Engineering and Exploit Development](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/opBLBYAR8tU/mqdefault.jpg "Black Hat USA 2018 - Mainframe [z/OS] Reverse Engineering and Exploit Development
Speak with any Fortune 500 running mainframe and theyll tell you two things: (1) without their mainframes theyd be out of business (2) they do not conduct any security research on them, let alone vulnerability scans. The most infuriating part is that mainframes are simply computers, theyre different from what youre used to, but that doesnt mean they cant be hacked. Previous talks about this topic have covered the platform from a high level, imploring you to do the basics. This talk continues this series of talks, given by others, around mainframe hacking. Previously covered topics included network penetration testing and privilege escalation. To complement those talks, this talk will expose attendees to the various tools that exist on the platform to help you do your own reverse engineering, followed by detailed steps on how to start your own exploit development. Attendees will learn what debuggers are available on the platform, such as dbx and ASMIDF, as well as the challenges youll have using them. After learning how to RE, attendees will then learn how to develop their own exploits and buffer overflows on the platform using C, assembler and JCL. A demo program will be used to teach all these items so people can follow along. Topics included in this discussion are APF authorization, bypassing RACF/ACEE, TSO, Unix System Services.")
