Exploit Methods/Kernel location

Details

Finding the kernel location can be an important first step for exploitation. Without it, for example, it's harder to make kernel function calls for privilege escalation. Besides the kernel itself, lots of other locations may be valuable to an attacker. See Kernel pointer leaks for more information.

Examples

• See Kernel pointer leaks examples
• /proc/kallsyms, /proc/modules
• ksymhunter

Mitigations

• hide symbols and kernel pointers (see Kernel pointer leaks)
• kernel ASLR
• runtime randomization of kernel functions
• executable-but-not-readable memory
• per-build structure layout randomization (e.g. GRKERNSEC_RANDSTRUCT)