Key Discovery Report

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Situation:

The objective was to locate and identify two sensitive keys (KEY001 and KEY002) within a Kali Linux virtual machine using Linux command-line tools. The project required navigating the filesystem, inspecting active processes, and applying pattern-matching techniques.

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Obstacles:

1. Permission Restrictions: Certain directories and files were inaccessible due to insufficient privileges.
2. Command Misuse: Initial attempts with specific flags (e.g., ps -fC KEY) failed due to overly restrictive search parameters.
3. Complex Search Scope: Locating the keys required an efficient search strategy across a large filesystem and process list.

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Actions Taken:

1. Used the find command with sudo to search for files in the filesystem with names starting with "KEY*".
2. Utilized the ps -ef command paired with awk to identify processes containing "KEY" in their output.
3. Debugged failed commands by adjusting parameters and using broader search techniques to ensure accurate matches.

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Results:

1. KEY001 was successfully located using the find command and identified as KEY001-t8DnV+HDpVm9Ey0Y2nUfxA=.
2. KEY002 was identified through process inspection with ps and awk, yielding KEY002-kmrMSsSaaSvbbVz3yW0zaw=.
3. Demonstrated effective command-line and forensic analysis skills by overcoming technical challenges and achieving project objectives.

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Tool Purpose Overview

Kali Linux:

• A specialized Linux distribution for penetration testing and cybersecurity tasks, providing the necessary environment for forensic investigations.

find:

• Used to search files and directories based on specific criteria such as name patterns (-name "KEY*").

ps:

• Inspects currently running processes, offering insights into active system operations.

awk:

• A text-processing tool that filters and extracts specific patterns from command output, enabling precise identification.

sudo:

• Provides elevated privileges to access restricted files and directories, ensuring comprehensive search capabilities.

General Command-Line Skills:

• Enabled efficient navigation, debugging, and execution of commands within the Linux environment.

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