In order to
hack a Windows application using Python, it is necessary to have basic
knowledge of the Windows API. Windows API consists of a set of Application
Programming Interfaces (APIs) provided by Microsoft. In order to develop an
application using Windows API, it is necessary to use various functions that
are supported by the operating system (Kernel). For a commonly used 32-bit
Windows environment, the Windows API called Win32 API is supported.
Python Using External Libraries
We use libraries like
“lib” and “DLL” when a windows application is developed. “Lib” is a static
library that it is included when a Windows executable file is created. “DLL” (Dynamically
linked libraries) provides a dynamic library that is called during the
execution time of the application. We can use the most of the Win32 API in the
form of the DLL, where typically the following DLLs are used.
|
Type |
Characteristics |
|
kernel32.dll |
Provides the ability to access basic resources, such as threads, file
system, devices, processes |
|
user32.dll |
Provides the ability
to change the user interface, including creating and managing windows,
receiving window messages, displaying text on the screen, and presenting a
message box |
|
advapi32.dll |
Provides the ability to modify the registry, shutdown and
restart the system, also provides support functions to start / end / generate
Windows services, account management |
|
gdi32.dll |
Manages functions for the printer, monitor and other
output devices |
|
comdlg32.dll |
Open a file, save a file, manage the standard dialog
window associated with the selected color and font |
|
comctl32.dll |
Status bar, progress bar, acces to applications that
are supported by the operating system, such as the toolbar |
|
shell32.dll |
Provides the
functionality of the shell of the operating system so that the applications
can have access |
|
netapi32.dll |
Provides a variety of communication features that are
supported by the operating system to the applications |
Windows
DLLs
The development language for Windows (Visual Basic,
Visual C ++, such as C #) can be used by calling the Win32 API directly. The
Win32 API provides a variety of interfaces that can be used to control the
function of the level of the operating system. These are widely used not only
to develop applications but also to debug and develop hacking programs.
