WarHead

Presented at DEF CON 33 (2025), Aug. 9, 2025, 10 a.m. (45 minutes).

Warhead is an offensive security tool that leverages Windows Atom Tables to store, retrieve, and execute payloads in a stealthy manner. This technique enables adversaries to place a payload in the Atom Table, use a legitimate process to extract it, and execute it in memory—bypassing traditional detection mechanisms. The first version of Warhead, to be released at Black Hat Arsenal 2025, provides security researchers and red teamers with a novel approach to payload delivery and execution that evades modern security defenses.

Presenters:

  • Vishal "Vish" Thakur
    Vishal Thakur is a seasoned expert in the information security industry, with extensive experience in hands-on technical roles specializing in Incident Response, Emerging Threats, Malware Analysis, and Research. Over the years, Vishal has developed a strong reputation for his deep technical expertise and ability to address complex security challenges. He has shared his research and insights at prominent international conferences, including BlackHat, DEFCON, FIRST, and the SANS DFIR Summit, where his sessions have been highly regarded for their depth and practical relevance. Additionally, Vishal has delivered training and workshops at BlackHat and the FIRST Conference, equipping participants with cutting-edge skills and techniques. Vishal currently leads the Incident Response function for APAC region at Atlassian.
  • David "Votd_ctf" Wearing

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