Linux Privilege Escalation Using PATH Variable

After solving several OSCP Challenges we decided to write the article on the various method used for Linux privilege escalation, that could be helpful for our readers in their penetration testing project. In this article, we will learn “various method to manipulate $PATH variable” to gain root access of a remote host machine and the techniques used by CTF challenges to generate $PATH vulnerability that lead to Privilege escalation. If you have solved CTF challenges for Post exploit then by reading this article you will realize the several loopholes that lead to privileges escalation.

Lets Start!!

Introduction

PATH is an environmental variable in Linux and Unix-like operating systems which specifies all bin and sbin directories where executable programs are stored. When the user run any command on the terminal, its request to the shell to search for executable files with help of PATH Variable in response to commands executed by a user. The superuser also usually has /sbin and /usr/sbin entries for easily executing system administration commands. 

It is very simple to view Path of revelent user with help of echo command.

echo $PATH

/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin:/bin:/usr/local/games:/usr/games

If you notice ‘.’ in environment PATH variable it means that the logged user can execute binaries/scripts from the current directory and it can be an excellent technique for an attacker to escalate root privilege. This is due to lack of attention while writing program thus admin do not specify the full path to the program.

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