Python is an interpreted programming language that can be used for many purposes including security related tasks. It was created in the late 1980s by Guido van Rossum and named after the Monty Python comedy group. There are differences between Python versions 2.7 and 3.0, such as print becoming a function in 3.0. Python has an interactive shell environment that allows users to run commands and an extensive standard library including data types like lists, tuples, sets and dictionaries. Libraries like pwntools and PyCryptodome provide functionality for tasks like exploit development and cryptography.

1. Intro to Python
What it is, how to use it, and why it’s useful

2. Announcements
● CSG Firetalks (3/27) - goo.gl/R7rxw6
● HackUTD (2/23 - 2/24) - hackutd.co
● Mitre Cyber Challenge (2/22) - mitrestemctf.org
● Cisco: Customer Experience TAC - Mar 1st, 2019 9 AM to 5 PM -
cabrush@cisco.com
● InfoSec

3. A little history
● Python was named after Monty Python
● Python is a descendant of ABC
● Python was developed by Guido Van Rossum to appeal to
Unix/C programmers

4. Python Versions
● 2.7 vs 3.0
○ Some differences include making print a function,
only one integer type, and modifying integer division

5. Interactive Shell
● Way for the user to access the Python interpreter
● Run Python commands in an interactive environment

6. Collection data types (arrays)
● List
○ ordered, mutable, allows duplicate members
● Tuple
○ ordered, immutable, allows duplicate members
● Set
○ unordered, unindexed, duplicate members not allowed
● Dictionary
○ unordered, mutable, indexed, duplicate members not
allowed.

7. What about security?
There are many, many libraries and tools written in python
that do different things.
Some of these libraries and tools are useful for security-
related endeavors.

8. pwntools - exploit writing in python
● from pwn import *
● A CTF framework and exploit development library
● pwnlib
○ pwnlib.shellcraft - bunch of shellcodes
○ pwnlib.util.fiddling - bit fiddling
■ encode, decode to/from Base64

9. PyCryptodome
● Great for cryptography and security engineering-related stuff
● low-level primitives
○ Symmetric ciphers, stream ciphers, cryptographic hashes,
other cool things

10. Helpful Links/Tutorials
● https://www.w3schools.com/python/default.asp
● https://www.python-
course.eu/python3_history_and_philosophy.php
● http://docs.pwntools.com/en/stable/
● https://www.secureauth.com/labs/open-source-tools/impacket