What Does "/bin/bash -p" Do?

• Command Breakdown:

  • /bin/bash is the path to the Bash shell executable.

  • -p flag stands for "privileged mode."

  • In many privilege escalation scenarios, an attacker might gain the ability to execute a command as root (or with elevated privileges), but only for that single command

• Behavior:

  • Launches Bash without resetting the effective user ID (EUID) to match the real user ID (RUID).

  • Useful in privilege escalation contexts.

Why Is This Important in Privilege Escalation?

1. Maintaining Elevated Privileges:

   • Helps turn a one-time privileged command into a persistent privileged session.

2. Exploiting SUID Binaries:

   • Prevents privilege-dropping behaviour when dealing with SUID (Set User ID) binaries.

3. Turning Limited Access into Full Control:

   • Can transform limited privilege escalation into full root access.

Practical Example

• Scenario:

  • Attacker exploits a vulnerable SUID binary to execute a command as root.

Security Implications

• Offensive Security:

  • Valuable for penetration testers in privilege escalation.

• Defensive Security:

  • Importance of managing SUID binaries carefully.

  • Monitor for unexpected privilege escalations.

  • Implement proper access controls and the principle of least privilege.