1.3 KiB
1.3 KiB
cat - Read File Contents
Read and display the contents of a file on the target system.
Description
The cat command reads and displays the contents of a file on the target system. It automatically detects and extracts credentials from file contents including plaintext passwords, NTLM hashes, and domain credentials.
Syntax
cat <file_path>
Parameters
file_path(required): Path to the file to read. Supports both absolute and relative paths.
Examples
cat C:\Users\Administrator\Desktop\notes.txt
cat config.ini
cat C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts
Features
- Supports both absolute and relative paths (relative paths are resolved using the current working directory)
- Automatically detects and extracts credentials from file contents including:
Output
[cat] Reading file: C:\Users\Administrator\notes.txt
Hello, this is a test file.
[cat] Credentials detected:
- Password: MyPassword123
- Hash: aad3b435b51404ee:1234567890abcdef...
OPSEC Considerations
- File reads are logged by EDR/XDR solutions
- Accessing sensitive files (System32, Program Files) may trigger alerts
- Consider using
downloadfor large files instead ofcat
Related
Command Category: File System
Requires Admin: No