Linux Tool to read values of the stack

Question

Hello,

I would like to know if there is a Linux tool that allows you to read the values of the program stack?? For instance when running the binary of a program containing the line:

foo(parameter);

the parameter would be put on the stack, and I would like to know if there is a tool to access it.

thanks.

Answer 1

Gdb?

There are also some backtrace functions in glibc. http://www.gnu.org/s/libc/manual/html%5Fnode/Backtraces.html

Answer 2

Yeah, it sounds like you just want to run a debugger. If you compile your program with the -g option then you can use gdb like:

gdb myprogram

Now set a break point at your function and you can view the values of the variables in the current scope.

If you are a C beginner it is very much worth your time to learn gdb (Gnu debugger).

Answer 3

Since you tagged this as security, you'll probably want to read "Smashing the Stack for Fun and Profit":

http://insecure.org/stf/smashstack.html