From ASCII to UTF-16: Leveraging Encodings to Break Software

Explore the intricacies of character encodings and their potential security implications in this 59-minute conference talk from TROOPERS24 IT security conference. Delve into the evolution from ASCII to UTF-16, uncovering how these encoding systems can be exploited to compromise software security. Learn about the vulnerabilities that arise from improper handling of character encodings and gain insights into potential attack vectors. Discover practical techniques for leveraging encoding-related weaknesses to break software, and understand the importance of robust encoding practices in maintaining secure systems. This talk, presented by Stefan Schiller on June 26th, 2024 in Heidelberg, Germany, offers valuable knowledge for IT security professionals, software developers, and anyone interested in the intersection of character encodings and cybersecurity.