Linux File Permissions & Users

Summary

The read/write/execute permission model and user/group structure — misconfigured permissions are a common privilege escalation vector attackers exploit to gain more access than intended.

• 1Practice reading a permission string and using chmod/chown to change it.
• 2Learn what SUID/SGID bits are and why misconfigured ones are a classic privilege escalation vector.
• 3Practice finding files with overly permissive access on a practice VM.