hacktricks/reversing-and-exploiting/linux-exploiting-basic-esp/arbitrary-write-2-exec/aw2exec-got-plt.md

# AW2Exec - GOT/PLT

{% hint style="success" %}
Learn & practice AWS Hacking:<img src="/.gitbook/assets/arte.png" alt="" data-size="line">[**HackTricks Training AWS Red Team Expert (ARTE)**](https://training.hacktricks.xyz/courses/arte)<img src="/.gitbook/assets/arte.png" alt="" data-size="line">\
Learn & practice GCP Hacking: <img src="/.gitbook/assets/grte.png" alt="" data-size="line">[**HackTricks Training GCP Red Team Expert (GRTE)**<img src="/.gitbook/assets/grte.png" alt="" data-size="line">](https://training.hacktricks.xyz/courses/grte)

<details>

<summary>Support HackTricks</summary>

* Check the [**subscription plans**](https://github.com/sponsors/carlospolop)!
* **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)**.**
* **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 %}

## **Basic Information**

### **GOT: Global Offset Table**

The **Global Offset Table (GOT)** is a mechanism used in dynamically linked binaries to manage the **addresses of external functions**. Since these **addresses are not known until runtime** (due to dynamic linking), the GOT provides a way to **dynamically update the addresses of these external symbols** once they are resolved.

Each entry in the GOT corresponds to a symbol in the external libraries that the binary may call. When a **function is first called, its actual address is resolved by the dynamic linker and stored in the GOT**. Subsequent calls to the same function use the address stored in the GOT, thus avoiding the overhead of resolving the address again.

### **PLT: Procedure Linkage Table**

The **Procedure Linkage Table (PLT)** works closely with the GOT and serves as a trampoline to handle calls to external functions. When a binary **calls an external function for the first time, control is passed to an entry in the PLT associated with that function**. This PLT entry is responsible for invoking the dynamic linker to resolve the function's address if it has not already been resolved. After the address is resolved, it is stored in the GOT.

**Therefore,** GOT entries are used directly once the address of an external function or variable is resolved. **PLT entries are used to facilitate the initial resolution** of these addresses via the dynamic linker.

## Get Execution

### Check the GOT

Get the address to the GOT table with: **`objdump -s -j .got ./exec`**

![](<../../../.gitbook/assets/image (619).png>)

Observe how after **loading** the **executable** in GEF you can **see** the **functions** that are in the **GOT**: `gef➤ x/20x 0xADDR_GOT`

![](<../../../.gitbook/assets/image (620) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (5).png>)

Using GEF you can **start** a **debugging** session and execute **`got`** to see the got table:

![](<../../../.gitbook/assets/image (621).png>)

### GOT2Exec

In a binary the GOT has the **addresses to the functions or** to the **PLT** section that will load the function address. The goal of this arbitrary write is to **override a GOT entry** of a function that is going to be executed later **with** the **address** of the PLT of the **`system`** **function** for example.

Ideally, you will **override** the **GOT** of a **function** that is **going to be called with parameters controlled by you** (so you will be able to control the parameters sent to the system function).

If **`system`** **isn't used** by the script, the system function **won't** have an entry in the PLT. In this scenario, you will **need to leak first the address** of the `system` function and then overwrite the GOT to point to this address.

You can see the PLT addresses with **`objdump -j .plt -d ./vuln_binary`**

## **One Gadget**

{% content-ref url="../one-gadget.md" %}
[one-gadget.md](../one-gadget.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

## **Protections**

The **Full RELRO** protection is meant to protect agains this kind of technique by resolving all the addresses of the functions when the binary is started and making the **GOT table read only** after it:

{% content-ref url="../common-binary-protections-and-bypasses/relro.md" %}
[relro.md](../common-binary-protections-and-bypasses/relro.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

## References

* [https://ir0nstone.gitbook.io/notes/types/stack/got-overwrite/exploiting-a-got-overwrite](https://ir0nstone.gitbook.io/notes/types/stack/got-overwrite/exploiting-a-got-overwrite)
* [https://ir0nstone.gitbook.io/notes/types/stack/one-gadgets-and-malloc-hook](https://ir0nstone.gitbook.io/notes/types/stack/one-gadgets-and-malloc-hook)

{% hint style="success" %}
Learn & practice AWS Hacking:<img src="/.gitbook/assets/arte.png" alt="" data-size="line">[**HackTricks Training AWS Red Team Expert (ARTE)**](https://training.hacktricks.xyz/courses/arte)<img src="/.gitbook/assets/arte.png" alt="" data-size="line">\
Learn & practice GCP Hacking: <img src="/.gitbook/assets/grte.png" alt="" data-size="line">[**HackTricks Training GCP Red Team Expert (GRTE)**<img src="/.gitbook/assets/grte.png" alt="" data-size="line">](https://training.hacktricks.xyz/courses/grte)

<details>

<summary>Support HackTricks</summary>

* Check the [**subscription plans**](https://github.com/sponsors/carlospolop)!
* **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)**.**
* **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 %}