> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://hacking-notes.jord4n.pro/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://hacking-notes.jord4n.pro/privesc/cron-jobs/modified-bash-script-cron-job-linux-privilege-escalation.md).

# Modified Bash Script Cron Job - Linux Privilege Escalation

Cron Jobs - Modified Script (Bash) notes for Linux privilege escalation, with enumeration steps, exploitation examples, and reporting-focused validation.

## What It Is

Cron jobs create privilege escalation paths when recurring root tasks execute writable scripts, unsafe relative paths, or vulnerable processors. The key is to prove that a low-privileged user controls something that a privileged scheduled task will run. This specific page focuses on **Cron Jobs - Modified Script (Bash)** and keeps the exploitation flow practical: identify the condition, validate it safely, then run the smallest payload needed to prove impact.

## Enumeration

Start by confirming the local context and the exact misconfiguration before running the exploit path.

```bash
cat /etc/crontab
ls -la /etc/cron.*
systemctl list-timers --all
```

## Examples

In this case, we find that a script.sh \*\* is running\*\*:

<figure><img src="https://131707722-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fl4EVJpcOrsgjSGsLI7p2%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-7a4563a9d7f57e0390d07219e10001f1d90cc466%2FPasted%20image%2020231121233702.png?alt=media" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

What we will do is **modify** the script with the following content:

```bash
sleep 2
chmod u+s /bin/bash
```

We run a Bash with the **p** privilege parameter:

<figure><img src="https://131707722-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fl4EVJpcOrsgjSGsLI7p2%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-9ebee68cbc948dea5dc3c0763766b3bfc0d3f435%2FPasted%20image%2020231121234424.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>


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