> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://blog.rootkid.in/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://blog.rootkid.in/exam-prep-notes/junior-penetration-tester-ejptv2-notes/host-and-network-penetration-testing/system-host-based-attacks/linux-vulnerabilities.md).

# Linux Vulnerabilities

## Frequently Exploited Linux Services

* Linux is a free and open source operating system that is comprised of the Linux kernel, which was developed by Linus Torvalds, and the GNU toolkit, which is a collection of software and utilities that was started and developed by Richard Stallman.
* This combination of open source software is what makes up the Linux OS as a whole, and it is commonly referred to as GNU/Linux.
* Linux has various use cases, however, it is typically deployed as a server operating system. For this reason, there are specific services and protocols that will typically be found running on a Linux server.
* These services provide an attacker with an access vector that they can utilize to gain access to a target host.
* Having a good understanding of what these services are, how they work and their potential vulnerabilities is a vitally important skill to have as a penetration tester.

<figure><img src="https://3226903849-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FaKwXOzYgG7jDDDoVkYvX%2Fuploads%2F5IMyQ2IOlkx0pG65gOxw%2FFrequently%20Exploited%20Linux%20Services.png?alt=media&amp;token=74bc9382-48e1-4c00-9b36-ef4d3e3ee7f2" alt=""><figcaption><p>Frequently Exploited Linux Services</p></figcaption></figure>

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**`Hacker's Mantra:`**`See, unlike most hackers, I get little joy out of figuring out how to install the latest toy. - Jamie Zawinski`