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**`atexit()`** is a function to which **other functions are passed as parameters.** These **functions** will be **executed** when executing an **`exit()`** or the **return** of the **main**.\
If you can **modify** the **address** of any of these **functions** to point to a shellcode for example, you will **gain control** of the **process**, but this is currently more complicated.\
Currently the **addresses to the functions** to be executed are **hidden** behind several structures and finally the address to which it points are not the addresses of the functions, but are **encrypted with XOR** and displacements with a **random key**. So currently this attack vector is **not very useful at least on x86** and **x64\_86**.\
The **encryption function** is **`PTR_MANGLE`**. **Other architectures** such as m68k, mips32, mips64, aarch64, arm, hppa... **do not implement the encryption** function because it **returns the same** as it received as input. So these architectures would be attackable by this vector.
You can find an in depth explanation on how this works in [https://m101.github.io/binholic/2017/05/20/notes-on-abusing-exit-handlers.html](https://m101.github.io/binholic/2017/05/20/notes-on-abusing-exit-handlers.html)
As explained [**in this post**](https://github.com/nobodyisnobody/docs/blob/main/code.execution.on.last.libc/README.md#2---targetting-ldso-link\_map-structure), If the program exits using `return` or `exit()` it'll run `__run_exit_handlers()` which will call registered destructors.
{% hint style="danger" %}
If the program exits via **`_exit()`** function, it'll call the **`exit` syscall** and the exit handlers will not be executed. So, to confirm `__run_exit_handlers()` is executed you can set a breakpoint on it.
{% endhint %}
The important code is ([source](https://elixir.bootlin.com/glibc/glibc-2.32/source/elf/dl-fini.c#L131)):
Elf64_Xword d_val; // address of function that will be called, we put our onegadget here
Elf64_Addr d_ptr; // offset from l->l_addr of our structure
}
```
Note how `map -> l_addr + fini_array -> d_un.d_ptr` is used to **calculate** the position of the **array of functions to call**.
There are a **couple of options**:
* Overwrite the value of `map->l_addr` to make it point to a **fake `fini_array`** with instructions to execute arbitrary code
* Overwrite `l_info[DT_FINI_ARRAY]` and `l_info[DT_FINI_ARRAYSZ]` entries (which are more or less consecutive in memory) , to make them **points to a forged `Elf64_Dyn`** structure that will make again **`array` points to a memory** zone the attacker controlled. 
* [**This writeup**](https://github.com/nobodyisnobody/write-ups/tree/main/DanteCTF.2023/pwn/Sentence.To.Hell) overwrites `l_info[DT_FINI_ARRAY]` with the address of a controlled memory in `.bss` containing a fake `fini_array`. This fake array contains **first a** [**one gadget**](../rop-return-oriented-programing/ret2lib/one-gadget.md) **address** which will be executed and then the **difference** between in the address of this **fake array** and the v**alue of `map->l_addr`** so `*array` will point to the fake array.
* According to main post of this technique and [**this writeup**](https://activities.tjhsst.edu/csc/writeups/angstromctf-2021-wallstreet) ld.so leave a pointer on the stack that points to the binary `link_map` in ld.so. With an arbitrary write it's possible to overwrite it and make it point to a fake `fini_array` controlled by the attacker with the address to a [**one gadget**](../rop-return-oriented-programing/ret2lib/one-gadget.md) for example.
Following the previous code you can find another interesting section with the code:
In this case it would be possible to overwrite the value of `map->l_info[DT_FINI]` pointing to a forged `ElfW(Dyn)` structure. Find [**more information here**](https://github.com/nobodyisnobody/docs/blob/main/code.execution.on.last.libc/README.md#2---targetting-ldso-link\_map-structure).
## TLS-Storage dtor\_list overwrite in **`__run_exit_handlers`**
As [**explained here**](https://github.com/nobodyisnobody/docs/blob/main/code.execution.on.last.libc/README.md#5---code-execution-via-tls-storage-dtor\_list-overwrite), if a program exits via `return` or `exit()`, it'll execute **`__run_exit_handlers()`** which will call any destructors function registered.
Code from `_run_exit_handlers()`:
```c
/* Call all functions registered with `atexit' and `on_exit',
in the reverse of the order in which they were registered
perform stdio cleanup, and terminate program execution with STATUS. */
/* Call the destructors. This is called either when a thread returns from the
initial function or when the process exits via the exit function. */
void
__call_tls_dtors (void)
{
while (tls_dtor_list) // parse the dtor_list chained structures
{
struct dtor_list *cur = tls_dtor_list; // cur point to tls-storage dtor_list
dtor_func func = cur->func;
PTR_DEMANGLE (func); // demangle the function ptr
tls_dtor_list = tls_dtor_list->next; // next dtor_list structure
func (cur->obj);
[...]
}
}
```
For each registered function in **`tls_dtor_list`**, it'll demangle the pointer from **`cur->func`** and call it with the argument **`cur->obj`**.
Using the **`tls`** function from this [**fork of GEF**](https://github.com/bata24/gef), it's possible to see that actually the **`dtor_list`** is very **close** to the **stack canary** and **PTR\_MANGLE cookie**. So, with an overflow on it's it would be possible to **overwrite** the **cookie** and the **stack canary**.\
Overwriting the PTR\_MANGLE cookie, it would be possible to **bypass the `PTR_DEMANLE` function** by setting it to 0x00, will mean that the **`xor`** used to get the real address is just the address configured. Then, by writing on the **`dtor_list`** it's possible **chain several functions** with the function **address** and it's **argument.**
Finally notice that the stored pointer is not only going to be xored with the cookie but also rotated 17 bits:
0x00007fc390444dd7 <+39>: ror rax,0x11 --> rotate of 17 bits
0x00007fc390444ddb <+43>: xor rax,QWORD PTR fs:0x30 --> xor with PTR_MANGLE
```
So you need to take this into account before adding a new address.
Find an example in the [**original post**](https://github.com/nobodyisnobody/docs/blob/main/code.execution.on.last.libc/README.md#5---code-execution-via-tls-storage-dtor\_list-overwrite).
## Other mangled pointers in **`__run_exit_handlers`**
This technique is [**explained here**](https://github.com/nobodyisnobody/docs/blob/main/code.execution.on.last.libc/README.md#5---code-execution-via-tls-storage-dtor\_list-overwrite) and depends again on the program **exiting calling `return` or `exit()`** so **`__run_exit_handlers()`** is called.
Let's check more code of this function:
```c
while (true)
{
struct exit_function_list *cur;
restart:
cur = *listp;
if (cur == NULL)
{
/* Exit processing complete. We will not allow any more
atexit/on_exit registrations. */
__exit_funcs_done = true;
break;
}
while (cur->idx > 0)
{
struct exit_function *const f = &cur->fns[--cur->idx];
/* Unlock the list while we call a foreign function. */
__libc_lock_unlock (__exit_funcs_lock);
onfct (status, arg);
__libc_lock_lock (__exit_funcs_lock);
break;
case ef_at:
atfct = f->func.at;
PTR_DEMANGLE (atfct);
/* Unlock the list while we call a foreign function. */
__libc_lock_unlock (__exit_funcs_lock);
atfct ();
__libc_lock_lock (__exit_funcs_lock);
break;
case ef_cxa:
/* To avoid dlclose/exit race calling cxafct twice (BZ 22180),
we must mark this function as ef_free. */
f->flavor = ef_free;
cxafct = f->func.cxa.fn;
arg = f->func.cxa.arg;
PTR_DEMANGLE (cxafct);
/* Unlock the list while we call a foreign function. */
__libc_lock_unlock (__exit_funcs_lock);
cxafct (arg, status);
__libc_lock_lock (__exit_funcs_lock);
break;
}
if (__glibc_unlikely (new_exitfn_called != __new_exitfn_called))
/* The last exit function, or another thread, has registered
more exit functions. Start the loop over. */
goto restart;
}
*listp = cur->next;
if (*listp != NULL)
/* Don't free the last element in the chain, this is the statically
allocate element. */
free (cur);
}
__libc_lock_unlock (__exit_funcs_lock);
```
The variable `f` points to the **`initial`** structure and depending on the value of `f->flavor` different functions will be called.\
Depending on the value, the address of the function to call will be in a different place, but it'll always be **demangled**.
Moreover, in the options **`ef_on`** and **`ef_cxa`** it's also possible to control an **argument**.
It's possible to check the **`initial` structure** in a debugging session with GEF running **`gef> p initial`**.
To abuse this you need either to **leak or erase the `PTR_MANGLE`cookie** and then overwrite a `cxa` entry in initial with `system('/bin/sh')`.\
You can find an example of this in the [**original blog post about the technique**](https://github.com/nobodyisnobody/docs/blob/main/code.execution.on.last.libc/README.md#6---code-execution-via-other-mangled-pointers-in-initial-structure).
<summary><strong>Learn AWS hacking from zero to hero with</strong><ahref="https://training.hacktricks.xyz/courses/arte"><strong>htARTE (HackTricks AWS Red Team Expert)</strong></a><strong>!</strong></summary>
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* Discover [**The PEASS Family**](https://opensea.io/collection/the-peass-family), our collection of exclusive [**NFTs**](https://opensea.io/collection/the-peass-family)
* **Join the** 💬 [**Discord group**](https://discord.gg/hRep4RUj7f) or the [**telegram group**](https://t.me/peass) or **follow** us on **Twitter** 🐦 [**@hacktricks\_live**](https://twitter.com/hacktricks\_live)**.**
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