rename file containing ^H (was: UNIX Files)

From: tom.picray.bat_private
Date: Tue Aug 14 2001 - 18:50:28 PDT

  • Next message: McCoy, Brig C.: "Re: UNIX Files"

    "cat -e" shows control characters.
    Personally, I would use "ls | cat -etv"
    
    That'd show the control characters (-e), trailing whitespace (-v), and 
    tabs represented as ^I (-t). Check the manpage in case my explanation may 
    not be exactly accurate. Hope this helps.
    
    Now, that just shows what the filename (in this instance) is. To rename 
    it, I'd use a shell that has command line editing (like bash or ksh). Then 
    I'd make sure my preferred editor was selected. Then type the command I 
    want (preceeding every control character with a control-V). For any 
    embedded spaces, I'd just preceed each one with a backslash.
    
    $ ksh
    $ set -o vi
    $ mv newd^V^Hfilename newfilename
    $ exit  # return to your original shell
    ----- Forwarded by Tom Picray/IS/US/BAYER on 08/14/2001 09:38 PM -----
    
    
    "Skinner, Kit" <KSkinnerat_private>
    08/14/2001 04:11 PM
    
     
            To:     Forensics <forensicsat_private>
            cc: 
            Subject:        UNIX Files
    
    
    NOTE: This may not be the best or most appropriate list, but I've been
    having an issue in a test/learning environment and I'm trying to clear it.
    
    BACKGROUND:  As many of the *NIX gurus probably know, with a default 
    install
    of Solaris on a telnet session from a Windows workstation, Backspace does
    not delete the previous character but rather displays the control 
    character
    ^H.  Well, when messing about on a fresh install I was copying a file and
    not paying attention and typed:
            cp filename newd^Hfilename   (I ment to delete the 'd' as a 
    mistype)
    I wasn't really paying attention and noticed when I did a ls of the
    directory it listed the file as 'newfilename'.  However if I tried to
    delete, rename, or do anything with 'newfilename', the OS would report 
    file
    not found.  However, I could refer to it as 'newd^Hfilename'.
    
    QUESTION: My question from a forensics standpoint is, if someone got onto 
    a
    system and placed a file using that naming scheme, how could you determine
    its ACTUAL name?  As a relative novice, all the tools I know of seem to
    interpret the filename and display in the edited form.  If I had to access
    or read a file to determine what they were doing, and they had named it
    'x^Hsecret'.  How would I know or be able to access it since it would 
    always
    show up as 'secret'?
    
    Any help is greatly appreciated.  Thanks!
    -K
    
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