Date of Award

7-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

First Advisor

Dr. Sneha Sudhakaran

Second Advisor

Dr. Philip J. Bernhard

Third Advisor

Dr. Patrick J. Aragon

Fourth Advisor

Dr. Brian A. Lail

Abstract

In today's digital world, where everything is interconnected, new security threats are constantly emerging. This thesis explores the security risks that come from the combination of three specific technologies: Non-Sucking Service Manager (NSSM), Winlogon Helper DLLs, and Peer-to-Peer (P2P) networks. NSSM is a powerful tool for managing services, but it can also be used by attackers to find and exploit system weaknesses. Winlogon Helper DLLs are essential for the Windows logon process, making them a critical target for attacks. When you add P2P networks into the mix, which many applications use to share data, the potential for security issues increases significantly. This research digs deep into how these technologies interact and how they can be exploited. By looking at real-world examples and conducting various security tests, we identify potential threats and suggest ways to protect systems from these new kinds of attacks. The goal is to help improve system security for Windows operating system users and protect user data in our increasingly connected digital environment.

Available for download on Friday, January 31, 2025

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