The command find / -user root -perm -4000 -exec ls -ldb {} \; 2>/dev/null is used to find files with the SUID bit set. SUID (Set User ID) permissions allow a file to be executed with the permissions of the file owner (root), rather than the permissions of the user running the file.
* Understanding the Command:
* find /: Search the entire filesystem.
* -user root: Limit the search to files owned by the root user.
* -perm -4000: Look for files with the SUID bit set.
* -exec ls -ldb {} \;: Execute ls -ldb on each found file to list it in detail.
* 2>/dev/null: Redirect error messages to /dev/null to avoid cluttering the output.
* Purpose:
* Enumerating SUID Files: The command is used to identify files with elevated privileges that might be exploited for privilege escalation.
* Security Risks: SUID files can pose security risks if they are vulnerable, as they can be used to execute code with root privileges.
* Why Enumerate Permissions:
* Identifying SUID files is a crucial step in privilege escalation as it reveals potential attack vectors that can be exploited to gain root access.
* References from Pentesting Literature:
* Enumeration of SUID files is a common practice in penetration testing, as discussed in various guides and write-ups.
* HTB write-ups often detail how finding and exploiting SUID binaries can lead to root access on a target system.
Step-by-Step ExplanationReferences:
* Penetration Testing - A Hands-on Introduction to Hacking
* HTB Official Writeups