readelf
Display info about ELF files.
KaliParrotLinuxpassive
pkg: binutils
readelf prints headers, sections, symbols and dynamic info of ELF binaries — foundational static analysis.
Syntax
readelf {options} {binary}
Example
readelf -d ./binary
Shows dynamic section (shared library dependencies).
Advantages
- Detailed ELF internals
- Ubiquitous
Disadvantages
- ELF only
- No disassembly
Tags
#elf#static
Official docs: readelf ↗
Related commands
Frequently asked questions
What is readelf used for?
readelf prints headers, sections, symbols and dynamic info of ELF binaries — foundational static analysis.
What is an example readelf command?
A common example is: readelf -d ./binary — Shows dynamic section (shared library dependencies).
Is readelf part of Kali Linux?
Yes. readelf ships with Kali Linux (and Parrot OS). If missing, install it with: sudo apt install binutils.
What category of security tool is readelf?
readelf is a Reverse Engineering tool with a passive-risk profile when run against a live target.
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