Checklist - Linux Privilege Escalation
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- Get OS information
- List mounted drives
- Any unmounted drive?
- Any creds in fstab?
- Is any unknown software running?
- Is any software running with more privileges than it should have?
- Search for exploits of running processes (especially the version running).
- Can you modify the binary of any running process?
- Monitor processes and check if any interesting process is running frequently.
- Can you read some interesting process memory (where passwords could be saved)?
- Have you detected that some script could be or are being executed very frequently? (every 1, 2 or 5 minutes)
- Any writable .service file?
- Any writable binary executed by a service?
- Any writable folder in systemd PATH?
- Any writable timer?
- Any writable .socket file?
- Can you communicate with any socket?
- HTTP sockets with interesting info?
- Can you communicate with any D-Bus?
- Enumerate the network to know where you are
- Open ports you couldn't access before getting a shell inside the machine?
- Can you sniff traffic using
tcpdump
?
- Generic users/groups enumeration
- Do you have a very big UID? Is the machine vulnerable?
- Clipboard data?
- Password Policy?
- Try to use every known password that you have discovered previously to login with each possible user. Try to login also without a password.
- If you have write privileges over some folder in PATH you may be able to escalate privileges
- Can you execute any command with sudo? Can you use it to READ, WRITE or EXECUTE anything as root? (GTFOBins)
- Has any binary any unexpected capability?
- Has any file any unexpected ACL?
- screen
- tmux
- Profile files - Read sensitive data? Write to privesc?
- passwd/shadow files - Read sensitive data? Write to privesc?
- Check commonly interesting folders for sensitive data
- Weird Location/Owned files, you may have access to or alter executable files
- Modified in last mins
- Sqlite DB files
- Hidden files
- Script/Binaries in PATH
- Web files (passwords?)
- Backups?
- Known files that contains passwords: Use Linpeas and LaZagne
- Generic search
- Modify python library to execute arbitrary commands?
- Can you modify log files? Logtotten exploit
- Can you modify /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/? Centos/Redhat exploit

HackenProof is home to all crypto bug bounties.
Get rewarded without delays
HackenProof bounties launch only when their customers deposit the reward budget. You'll get the reward after the bug is verified.
Get experience in web3 pentesting
Blockchain protocols and smart contracts are the new Internet! Master web3 security at its rising days.
Become the web3 hacker legend
Gain reputation points with each verified bug and conquer the top of the weekly leaderboard.
- Do you work in a cybersecurity company? Do you want to see your company advertised in HackTricks? or do you want to have access to the latest version of the PEASS or download HackTricks in PDF? Check the SUBSCRIPTION PLANS!
Last modified 2mo ago