Linux Privilege Escalation Enumeration

When you gain access to a computer system, whether through an exploit or by using a low-privileged account, the next step is enumeration. This process involves gathering important details about the system. It helps you understand what kind of access you currently have and what vulnerabilities or misconfigurations you might be able to exploit to gain higher-level privileges. Enumeration is a crucial step, whether you're trying to break into a system or simply assessing your current access level after successfully exploiting a vulnerability.

Commands Used in Enumeration

Here are some common Linux commands that can help you gather information about the system and identify potential vectors for privilege escalation (gaining higher privileges):

hostname Copy

The hostname command simply returns the name of the system (or host) you're connected to.

uname -a Copy

The uname -a command prints detailed system information, including the operating system's kernel version, which can be useful for identifying any known vulnerabilities specific to that version.

/proc/version Copy

The /proc/version file contains version details about the system’s kernel and may also include information about the system’s compiler (like GCC).

/etc/issue Copy

The /etc/issue file typically contains a brief message or system information about the operating system version and some other details.

ps Copy

The ps command shows you a list of processes running on the system.

env Copy

The env command lists environmental variables.

sudo -l Copy

The sudo -l command shows you a list of commands that your user account is allowed to run with root privileges.

ls Copy

The ls command is used to list files in a directory.

id Copy

The id command shows the user ID (UID), group ID (GID), and the groups the user belongs to.

/etc/passwd Copy

The /etc/passwd file contains user account information for the system.

history Copy

The history command displays a list of recent commands that have been run in the current terminal session.

Why Enumeration is Important

In summary, enumeration is an essential first step in understanding a system after you’ve gained initial access. By using these commands, you can gather crucial information that helps you assess your current privileges and identify possible ways to escalate those privileges. Always be thorough, as every detail could reveal a new opportunity or vector for privilege escalation.

In my next Blog I will share more command for enumeration

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