CMSC398R

Special Topics in Computer Science; Binary Exploitation

Reviews for this courseTestudo

An introduction to exploiting common vulnerabilities in compiled applications. Topics include an overview of C, intro to x86 assembly, buffer overflows on stack and heap, format string bugs, heap exploitation, and other special topics (kernel/browser/blockchain). Students will be able to write exploits for all the bugs learned in class, and secure their own applications. A student-led course through Student-Initiated Courses (STICs) @ UMD: http://stics.umd.edu/ Click here to learn more about STICs.

Sister Courses: CMSC398B, CMSC398C, CMSC398D, CMSC398E, CMSC398F, CMSC398G, CMSC398I, CMSC398J, CMSC398K, CMSC398L, CMSC398M, CMSC398N, CMSC398O, CMSC398P, CMSC398Q, CMSC398T, CMSC398U, CMSC398V, CMSC398W, CMSC398Z

Fall 2025

Tudor Dumitras

2 reviews
Average rating: 5.00

Spring 2025

Tudor Dumitras

2 reviews
Average rating: 5.00

Past Semesters

Tudor Dumitras

2 reviews
Average rating: 5.00

Tudor Dumitras

2 reviews
Average rating: 5.00

During the Spring 2020 and Spring 2021 semesters, students could choose to take some of their courses pass-fail mid-semester which skews grade data aggregated across multiple semesters.

Average GPA of 3.09 between 86 students*

CMSC398R Grade Distribution+-0510152025303540455055606570% of studentsABCDFWother
A: 29.07%
A+: 38.37%
B: 5.81%
B+: 1.16%
C: 1.16%
C+: 3.49%
D-: 1.16%
F: 3.49%
W: 13.95%
other: 2.33%
* "W"s are considered to be 0.0 quality points. "Other" grades are not factored into GPA calculation. Grade data not guaranteed to be correct.