PAXCTL(8) | System Manager's Manual | PAXCTL(8)

# NAME

`paxctl` — list and modify PaX flags associated with an ELF program

# SYNOPSIS

`paxctl` | [`-0` | flags] program ...

# DESCRIPTION

The `paxctl` utility is used to list and manipulate PaX flags associated with an ELF program. The PaX flags signify to the loader the privilege protections to be applied to mapped memory pages, and fuller explanations of the specific protections can be found in the security(7) manpage.

To view existing flags on a program, execute `paxctl` without any flags.

If `-0` option is specified, all PaX flags (including reserved bits) are cleared. Otherwise, each flag can be prefixed either with a ‘`+`’ or a ‘`-`’ sign to add or remove the flag, respectively.

The following flags are available:

`a`
  Explicitly disable PaX ASLR (Address Space Layout Randomization).
`A`
  Explicitly enable PaX ASLR.

`g`
  Explicitly disable PaX Segvguard.
`G`
  Explicitly enable PaX Segvguard.

`m`
  Explicitly disable PaX MPROTECT (mprotect(2) restrictions).
`M`
  Explicitly enable PaX MPROTECT.

# SEE ALSO

mprotect(2), sysctl(3), options(4), elf(5), security(7), sysctl(8), fileassoc(9)

# HISTORY

The `paxctl` utility first appeared in NetBSD 4.0.

The `paxctl` utility is modeled after a tool of the same name available for Linux from the PaX project.

# AUTHORS

Elad Efrat <elad@NetBSD.org>
Christos Zoulas <christos@NetBSD.org>

# RESTRICTIONS

The `paxctl` utility uses elf(5) note sections to mark executables with PaX flags. This means that, as one might expect, the PaX settings do not persist if the program file is replaced. It also means that running `paxctl` changes the target executable, which can be undesirable in production. In general, `paxctl` settings should be applied to programs at build time.

August 20, 2023 | NetBSD 10.99