util-linux

Util-linux is an open-source collection of Linux utilities that provides various security-related features, including password management and disk encryption.

Util-linux is a popular open-source collection of Linux utilities that provides various essential system tools to manage and maintain the Linux operating system. It includes more than 70 different utilities, such as fdisk, login, mount, and many others, that are commonly used by system administrators and end-users alike.

One of the critical utilities included in Util-linux is the security tool, which provides several security-related features for Linux systems. These features aim to secure the system against unauthorized access, prevent data loss, and maintain the system's integrity. In this article, we will discuss the different security-related features provided by the security tool in Util-linux.

One of the most crucial security features of the security tool is the password management utility. This utility allows administrators to manage user passwords and ensure that they are stored securely. It provides different password management options, such as setting password expiration dates, password length, and password complexity requirements. Additionally, the utility also provides a way to create new passwords, modify existing passwords, and verify password strength.

Another essential security feature provided by the security tool is the cryptsetup utility. This utility allows administrators to encrypt and decrypt the file system to protect sensitive data stored on the system. It supports different encryption methods, such as AES and Twofish, and provides various authentication options, such as passwords, keyfiles, and tokens. Additionally, cryptsetup also supports creating encrypted volumes on external devices such as USB drives.

Util-linux's security tool also includes a number of utilities that can be used to secure the boot process. The mkinitrd utility, for example, allows administrators to create a custom initramfs image, which can include different kernel modules and scripts that are required to boot the system. This can be used to ensure that only authorized users can boot the system, and that the system is protected against unauthorized modifications.

Finally, Util-linux's security tool also includes several utilities that can be used to audit the system and monitor its security. For example, the auditctl utility allows administrators to configure the Linux Audit System, which can be used to track system events and detect security-related issues. Additionally, the logname utility can be used to display the current user's login name, which can be useful for auditing purposes.

In conclusion, Util-linux's security tool provides several critical security-related features for Linux systems. These features aim to protect the system against unauthorized access, prevent data loss, and maintain the system's integrity. By using these tools, administrators can ensure that their Linux systems are secure and protected against potential security threats.

Packages and Binaries:

This package contains some extra BSD utilities: col, colcrt, colrm, column, hd, hexdump, look, ul and write. Other BSD utilities are provided by bsdutils and calendar.

Installed size: 337 KB How to install: sudo apt install bsdextrautils

Dependencies:
  • libc6

  • libsmartcols1

  • libtinfo6

col

Filter reverse line feeds from input

:~# col --help

Usage:
 col [options]

Filter out reverse line feeds from standard input.

Options:
 -b, --no-backspaces    do not output backspaces
 -f, --fine             permit forward half line feeds
 -p, --pass             pass unknown control sequences
 -h, --tabs             convert spaces to tabs
 -x, --spaces           convert tabs to spaces
 -l, --lines NUM        buffer at least NUM lines
 -H, --help             display this help
 -v, --version          display version

For more details see col(1).

colcrt

Filter nroff output for CRT previewing


colrm

Remove columns from a file


column

Columnate lists


hd

Display file contents in hexadecimal, decimal, octal, or ascii MFM/IDE hard disk devices


hexdump

Display file contents in hexadecimal, decimal, octal, or ascii


look

Display lines beginning with a given string


ul

Do underlining


write

Send a message to another user


bsdutils

This package contains the bare minimum of BSD utilities needed for a Debian system: logger, renice, script, scriptlive, scriptreplay and wall. The remaining standard BSD utilities are provided by bsdextrautils.

Installed size: 355 KB How to install: sudo apt install bsdutils

Dependencies:
  • libc6

  • libsystemd0

logger

Enter messages into the system log


renice

Alter priority of running processes


script

Make typescript of terminal session


scriptlive

Re-run session typescripts, using timing information


scriptreplay

Play back typescripts, using timing information


wall

Write a message to all users


eject

This program will eject CD-ROMs (assuming your drive supports the CDROMEJECT ioctl). It also allows setting the autoeject feature.

On supported ATAPI/IDE multi-disc CD-ROM changers, it allows changing the active disc.

You can also use eject to properly disconnect external mass-storage devices like digital cameras or portable music players.

Installed size: 132 KB How to install: sudo apt install eject

Dependencies:
  • libc6

  • libmount1

eject

Eject removable media


fdisk

This package contains the classic fdisk, sfdisk and cfdisk partitioning utilities from the util-linux suite.

The utilities included in this package allow you to partition your hard disk. The utilities supports both modern and legacy partition tables (eg. GPT, MBR, etc).

The fdisk utility is the classical text-mode utility. The cfdisk utilitity gives a more userfriendly curses based interface. The sfdisk utility is mostly for automation and scripting uses.

Installed size: 479 KB How to install: sudo apt install fdisk

Dependencies:
  • libc6

  • libfdisk1

  • libmount1

  • libncursesw6

  • libreadline8

  • libsmartcols1

  • libtinfo6

cfdisk

Display or manipulate a disk partition table


fdisk

Manipulate disk partition table


sfdisk

Display or manipulate a disk partition table


libblkid-dev

The blkid library allows system programs such as fsck and mount to quickly and easily find block devices by filesystem UUID or label. This allows system administrators to avoid specifying filesystems by hard-coded device names and use a logical naming system instead.

This package contains the development environment for the blkid library.

Installed size: 875 KB How to install: sudo apt install libblkid-dev

Dependencies:
  • libblkid1

  • libc6-dev | libc-dev

  • uuid-dev


libblkid1

The blkid library allows system programs such as fsck and mount to quickly and easily find block devices by filesystem UUID or label. This allows system administrators to avoid specifying filesystems by hard-coded device names and use a logical naming system instead.

Installed size: 398 KB How to install: sudo apt install libblkid1

Dependencies:
  • libc6


libfdisk-dev

The libfdisk library is used for manipulating partition tables. It is the core of the fdisk, cfdisk, and sfdisk tools.

This package contains the development environment for the fdisk library.

Installed size: 77 KB How to install: sudo apt install libfdisk-dev

Dependencies:
  • libblkid-dev

  • libc6-dev | libc-dev

  • libfdisk1

  • uuid-dev


libfdisk1

The libfdisk library is used for manipulating partition tables. It is the core of the fdisk, cfdisk, and sfdisk tools.

Installed size: 533 KB How to install: sudo apt install libfdisk1

Dependencies:
  • libblkid1

  • libc6

  • libuuid1


libmount-dev

This device mounting library is used by mount and umount helpers.

This package contains the development environment for the mount library.

Installed size: 81 KB How to install: sudo apt install libmount-dev

Dependencies:
  • libblkid-dev

  • libc6-dev | libc-dev

  • libmount1

  • libselinux1-dev


libmount1

This device mounting library is used by mount and umount helpers.

Installed size: 454 KB How to install: sudo apt install libmount1

Dependencies:
  • libblkid1

  • libc6

  • libselinux1


libsmartcols-dev

This smart column output alignment library is used by fdisk utilities.

This package contains the development environment for the mount library.

Installed size: 61 KB How to install: sudo apt install libsmartcols-dev

Dependencies:
  • libc6-dev | libc-dev

  • libsmartcols1


libsmartcols1

This smart column output alignment library is used by fdisk utilities.

Installed size: 289 KB How to install: sudo apt install libsmartcols1

Dependencies:
  • libc6


libuuid1

The libuuid library generates and parses 128-bit Universally Unique IDs (UUIDs). A UUID is an identifier that is unique within the space of all such identifiers across both space and time. It can be used for multiple purposes, from tagging objects with an extremely short lifetime to reliably identifying very persistent objects across a network.

See RFC 4122 for more information.

Installed size: 79 KB How to install: sudo apt install libuuid1

Dependencies:
  • libc6


mount

This package provides the mount(8), umount(8), swapon(8), swapoff(8), and losetup(8) commands.

Installed size: 393 KB How to install: sudo apt install mount

Dependencies:
  • libblkid1

  • libc6

  • libmount1

  • libselinux1

  • libsmartcols1

losetup

Set up and control loop devices


mount

Mount a filesystem


swapoff

Enable/disable devices and files for paging and swapping


swapon

Enable/disable devices and files for paging and swapping


umount

Unmount filesystems


rfkill

rfkill is a simple tool for accessing the Linux rfkill device interface, which is used to enable and disable wireless networking devices, typically WLAN, Bluetooth and mobile broadband.

Installed size: 97 KB How to install: sudo apt install rfkill

Dependencies:
  • libc6

  • libsmartcols1

rfkill

Tool for enabling and disabling wireless devices


util-linux

This package contains a number of important utilities, most of which are oriented towards maintenance of your system. Some of the more important utilities included in this package allow you to view kernel messages, create new filesystems, view block device information, interface with real time clock, etc.

Installed size: 4.85 MB How to install: sudo apt install util-linux

Dependencies:
  • libblkid1

  • libc6

  • libcap-ng0

  • libcrypt1

  • libmount1

  • libpam0g

  • libselinux1

  • libsmartcols1

  • libsystemd0

  • libtinfo6

  • libudev1

  • libuuid1

  • util-linux-extra

  • zlib1g

addpart

Tell the kernel about the existence of a partition


agetty

Alternative Linux getty


blkdiscard

Discard sectors on a device


blkid

Locate/print block device attributes


blkzone

Run zone command on a device


blockdev

Call block device ioctls from the command line


chcpu

Configure CPUs


chmem

Configure memory


choom

Display and adjust OOM-killer score.


chrt

Manipulate the real-time attributes of a process


ctrlaltdel

Set the function of the Ctrl-Alt-Del combination


delpart

Tell the kernel to forget about a partition


dmesg

Print or control the kernel ring buffer


fallocate

Preallocate or deallocate space to a file


findfs

Find a filesystem by label or UUID


findmnt

Find a filesystem


flock

Manage locks from shell scripts


fsck

Check and repair a Linux filesystem


fsck.cramfs

Fsck compressed ROM file system


fsck.minix

Check consistency of Minix filesystem


fsfreeze

Suspend access to a filesystem (Ext3/4, ReiserFS, JFS, XFS)


fstrim

Discard unused blocks on a mounted filesystem


getopt

Parse command options (enhanced)


getty

Alternative Linux getty


hardlink

Link multiple copies of a file


i386

Change reported architecture in new program environment and/or set personality flags


ionice

Set or get process I/O scheduling class and priority


ipcmk

Make various IPC resources


ipcrm

Remove certain IPC resources


ipcs

Show information on IPC facilities


isosize

Output the length of an iso9660 filesystem


last

Show a listing of last logged in users


lastb

Show a listing of last logged in users


ldattach

Attach a line discipline to a serial line


linux32

Change reported architecture in new program environment and/or set personality flags


linux64

Change reported architecture in new program environment and/or set personality flags


lsblk

List block devices


lscpu

Display information about the CPU architecture


lsipc

Show information on IPC facilities currently employed in the system


lslocks

List local system locks


lslogins

Display information about known users in the system


lsmem

List the ranges of available memory with their online status


lsns

List namespaces


mcookie

Generate magic cookies for xauth


mesg

Display (or do not display) messages from other users


mkfs

Build a Linux filesystem


mkfs.bfs

Make an SCO bfs filesystem


mkfs.cramfs

Make compressed ROM file system


mkfs.minix

Make a Minix filesystem


mkswap

Set up a Linux swap area


more

File perusal filter for crt viewing


mountpoint

See if a directory or file is a mountpoint


namei

Follow a pathname until a terminal point is found


nsenter

Run program in different namespaces


partx

Tell the kernel about the presence and numbering of on-disk partitions


pivot_root

Change the root filesystem


prlimit

Get and set process resource limits


readprofile

Read kernel profiling information


rename.ul

Rename files


resizepart

Tell the kernel about the new size of a partition


rev

Reverse lines characterwise


rtcwake

Enter a system sleep state until specified wakeup time


runuser

Run a command with substitute user and group ID


setarch

Change reported architecture in new program environment and/or set personality flags


setpriv

Run a program with different Linux privilege settings


setsid

Run a program in a new session


setterm

Set terminal attributes


su

Run a command with substitute user and group ID


sulogin

Single-user login


swaplabel

Print or change the label or UUID of a swap area


switch_root

Switch to another filesystem as the root of the mount tree


taskset

Set or retrieve a process’s CPU affinity


uclampset

Manipulate the utilization clamping attributes of the system or a process


unshare

Run program in new namespaces


utmpdump

Dump UTMP and WTMP files in raw format


wdctl

Show hardware watchdog status


whereis

Locate the binary, source, and manual page files for a command


wipefs

Wipe a signature from a device


x86_64

Change reported architecture in new program environment and/or set personality flags


zramctl

Set up and control zram devices


Tools commonly found on systems where humans login interactively, or are needed with non-standard system configurations.

Installed size: 366 KB How to install: sudo apt install util-linux-extra

Dependencies:
  • libaudit1

  • libc6

  • libsmartcols1

fincore

Count pages of file contents in core


hwclock

Settings that affect the behaviour of the hwclock init script Time clocks utility


lsfd

List file descriptors


lsirq

Utility to display kernel interrupt information


util-linux-locales

This package contains the internationalization files for the util-linux package.

They are needed when you want the programs in util-linux to print their messages in other languages than English.

Installed size: 7.78 MB How to install: sudo apt install util-linux-locales

Dependencies:
  • util-linux


uuid-dev

The libuuid library generates and parses 128-bit Universally Unique IDs (UUIDs). See RFC 4122 for more information.

This package contains the development environment for the uuid library.

Installed size: 113 KB How to install: sudo apt install uuid-dev

Dependencies:
  • libc6-dev | libc-dev

  • libuuid1


uuid-runtime

The libuuid library generates and parses 128-bit Universally Unique IDs (UUIDs). A UUID is an identifier that is unique within the space of all such identifiers across both space and time. It can be used for multiple purposes, from tagging objects with an extremely short lifetime to reliably identifying very persistent objects across a network.

See RFC 4122 for more information.

This package contains the uuidgen program and the uuidd daemon.

The uuidd daemon is used to generate UUIDs, especially time-based UUIDs, in a secure and guaranteed-unique fashion, even in the face of large numbers of threads trying to grab UUIDs running on different CPUs. It is used by libuuid as well as the uuidgen program.

Installed size: 174 KB How to install: sudo apt install uuid-runtime

Dependencies:
  • adduser

  • init-system-helpers

  • libc6

  • libsmartcols1

  • libsystemd0

  • libuuid1

  • libuuid1

uuidd

UUID generation daemon


uuidgen

Create a new UUID value


uuidparse

A utility to parse unique identifiers


Updated on: 2023-Mar-08


Last updated

Was this helpful?