Introduction
Today marks an important milestone in my cybersecurity journey as I announce the initial release of PrivilegeOS v0.0.0 - a specialized Linux distribution designed specifically for authorized penetration testing and Windows security assessments. After months of development and testing, I'm excited to share this tool with the cybersecurity community.
The Problem PrivilegeOS Solves
As a cybersecurity professional, I've often encountered situations where existing security distributions felt like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. While tools like Kali Linux and Parrot OS are excellent general-purpose security platforms, they can be overkill for specific Windows penetration testing scenarios.
The challenges I aimed to address include:
- Complexity: Many security distributions include hundreds of tools, making them heavy and complex for focused tasks
- NTFS Support: Inconsistent Windows filesystem support across different tools and kernel versions
- Boot Speed: Slow boot times when you need quick access to a Windows system
- Legal Safeguards: Lack of built-in authorization prompts and ethical guidelines
- Hibernation Issues: Difficulties mounting Windows systems that were hibernated rather than properly shut down
What Makes PrivilegeOS Different
1. Purpose-Built Design
PrivilegeOS isn't trying to be everything to everyone. It's laser-focused on Windows penetration testing scenarios, particularly the "sticky keys" bypass technique that's commonly used in authorized security assessments.
2. Native NTFS3 Support
One of the biggest frustrations I've encountered is unreliable NTFS mounting. PrivilegeOS uses the native Linux kernel NTFS3 driver, providing:
- Faster performance compared to NTFS-3G
- Better reliability with Windows 10/11 systems
- Improved hibernation handling for systems that weren't properly shut down
- Native kernel support without external dependencies
3. Minimal Footprint, Maximum Impact
At just ~512MB, PrivilegeOS boots in under 30 seconds while providing everything needed for Windows security assessments:
Linux Kernel 6.15.3 (custom configuration)
BusyBox 1.36.1 (essential utilities)
Custom penetration testing tools
Native NTFS3 filesystem support
UEFI and Legacy BIOS compatibility
4. Built-in Ethical Safeguards
Security tools carry significant responsibility. PrivilegeOS includes several features to promote ethical use:
- Legal authorization prompts before any destructive operations
- Clear usage guidelines displayed at boot
- Comprehensive logging for audit trails
- Educational framing emphasizing defensive security
Technical Deep Dive
Architecture Overview
PrivilegeOS is built on a foundation of proven technologies:
Kernel: Linux 6.15.3 with custom configuration optimized for:
- NTFS3 filesystem support
- Storage controller drivers (AHCI, NVMe, USB)
- Network adapter support
- Graphics drivers for common hardware
Userspace: BusyBox 1.36.1 providing essential utilities in a compact package
Custom Tools: Three primary utilities designed for Windows security testing:
1. getadmin - Windows Admin Bypass Tool
The heart of PrivilegeOS is the getadmin tool, which automates the sticky keys replacement technique:
# Basic usage
getadmin
# Force mount with hibernation file deletion
getadmin --force --delete-hiberfil
Key features:
- Automatic Windows partition detection
- Hibernation file handling with optional deletion
- File integrity verification and backup creation
- Multiple mount options for problematic systems
- Comprehensive error handling and logging
2. putadmin - System Restoration Tool
What goes up must come down. The putadmin tool provides complete system restoration:
# Basic restoration
putadmin
# Force restoration with hibernation handling
putadmin --force --delete-hiberfil
Capabilities:
- Automatic backup detection and verification
- Complete file restoration from backups
- Cleanup of temporary files and traces
- Same hibernation handling as getadmin
- Safety checks and confirmation prompts
3. getdrives - Drive Analysis Tool
Before any modifications, you need to understand the target system:
getdrives
Output includes:
- Partition table information
- Filesystem type detection
- Mount status and recommendations
- NTFS3 compatibility checking
- Hardware information
Hibernation File Handling: A Technical Innovation
One unique aspect of PrivilegeOS is its sophisticated hibernation file handling. Many Windows systems use hibernation instead of proper shutdown, creating hiberfil.sys files that prevent proper NTFS mounting.
Both getadmin and putadmin can automatically:
- Detect hibernation files and their sizes
- Warn about hibernation implications
- Optionally delete hibernation files with user confirmation
- Verify successful deletion and cleanup
- Free up significant disk space (often several GB)
This feature alone has saved countless hours of troubleshooting in my testing.
Development Philosophy
Security Through Knowledge
PrivilegeOS embodies the principle of "security through knowledge, not obscurity." By understanding how these attack techniques work, security professionals can better:
- Design defensive measures against such attacks
- Detect indicators of compromise in their environments
- Educate users about the importance of physical security
- Implement proper access controls and monitoring
Ethical Development
Every feature in PrivilegeOS includes ethical considerations:
Authorization Requirements: Tools require explicit confirmation of authorization before proceeding
Educational Context: All documentation emphasizes educational and defensive purposes
Audit Trails: Comprehensive logging ensures accountability
Legal Warnings: Clear notices about legal requirements and responsibilities
Real-World Applications
Authorized Penetration Testing
PrivilegeOS shines in scenarios where you have written authorization to test Windows systems:
- Corporate security assessments
- Compliance testing (PCI DSS, SOC 2, etc.)
- Red team exercises
- Vulnerability research
Cybersecurity Education
Educational institutions can use PrivilegeOS to teach:
- Attack methodology understanding
- Defensive security principles
- Incident response procedures
- Digital forensics techniques
Personal Learning
Security professionals can use PrivilegeOS on their own systems to:
- Practice techniques in safe environments
- Understand vulnerabilities in Windows systems
- Develop defensive strategies
- Prepare for certifications (OSCP, CEH, etc.)
Building and Customization
Build Process
Creating a custom PrivilegeOS image is straightforward:
# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/ktauchathuranga/privilegeos.git
cd privilegeos
# Basic build
./build.sh
# Custom build with options
./build.sh --clean --size 1024 --threads 8
USB Deployment
The included boot.sh script makes USB deployment safe and easy:
# Interactive mode
./boot.sh
# Automated deployment
./boot.sh --device sdb --yes
# List available devices
./boot.sh --list
Adding Custom Tools
Developers can easily add custom scripts:
# Create scripts directory
mkdir -p scripts
# Add custom script
cat > scripts/mytool.sh << 'EOF'
#!/bin/sh
echo "Custom security tool"
EOF
# Rebuild
./build.sh
Lessons Learned
Technical Challenges
NTFS3 Integration: Getting the native NTFS3 driver working reliably required careful kernel configuration and extensive testing across different Windows versions.
Boot Optimization: Achieving sub-30-second boot times required optimizing the init system, kernel modules, and hardware detection.
Hardware Compatibility: Ensuring compatibility across diverse hardware platforms while maintaining a minimal footprint was an ongoing challenge.
Design Decisions
Minimalism vs. Functionality: Every feature had to justify its inclusion. The goal was maximum utility with minimum complexity.
Safety vs. Usability: Balancing ease of use with safety requirements led to features like automatic authorization prompts and confirmation dialogs.
Educational vs. Practical: Ensuring the tool serves both educational and practical purposes influenced documentation, error messages, and user interface design.
Future Roadmap
Version 0.1.0 Goals
- GUI Interface: Optional graphical interface for less technical users
- Network Tools: SSH, VNC, and remote access capabilities
- Memory Analysis: Basic memory forensics features
- Automated Reporting: Generate reports of testing activities
Long-term Vision
- Cloud Integration: Support for cloud-based security testing
- Container Support: Docker and Podman integration
- Mobile Apps: Companion applications for iOS and Android
- AI Integration: Automated threat detection and analysis
Community and Contribution
Open Source Commitment
PrivilegeOS is released under the MIT License, encouraging:
- Community contributions from security professionals
- Educational use in academic institutions
- Commercial adaptation with proper attribution
- Security research and improvement
Getting Involved
The cybersecurity community can contribute through:
Code Contributions: Bug fixes, new features, and improvements
Documentation: Better guides, tutorials, and examples
Testing: Hardware compatibility testing and bug reports
Education: Creating tutorials and educational content
Legal and Ethical Considerations
Responsible Use
PrivilegeOS includes multiple safeguards promoting responsible use:
# Authorization confirmation required
Do you have WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION to test this system?
Type 'I-HAVE-AUTHORIZATION' to continue:
Legal Framework
Users must ensure compliance with:
- Local cybersecurity laws in their jurisdiction
- Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (US)
- Computer Misuse Act (UK)
- Corporate policies and authorization requirements
Professional Standards
Security professionals using PrivilegeOS should:
- Obtain proper authorization before any testing
- Document all activities for client records
- Follow industry best practices and guidelines
- Provide constructive recommendations for remediation
Technical Specifications
System Requirements
Minimum:
- x86-64 compatible processor
- 1GB RAM (2GB recommended)
- 1GB available space for USB creation
- UEFI or Legacy BIOS support
Recommended:
- Intel Core i3 or AMD equivalent
- 4GB+ RAM
- USB 3.0+ drive for faster boot times
- Network adapter for updates
Supported Hardware
Storage: AHCI, NVMe, USB storage devices
Network: Intel, Realtek, Atheros, Broadcom adapters
Graphics: Intel integrated, AMD, NVIDIA cards
Input: USB keyboards, mice, touchpads
Performance Metrics
Based on testing across various hardware configurations:
- Boot Time: <30 seconds average
- Image Size: ~512MB compressed
- Memory Usage: ~256MB at idle
- Mount Time: <5 seconds for NTFS partitions
- Tool Execution: <10 seconds for typical operations
Conclusion
PrivilegeOS v0.0.0 represents more than just another security distribution - it's a focused tool designed to address specific challenges in Windows penetration testing while maintaining the highest ethical standards.
The development of PrivilegeOS has reinforced my belief that cybersecurity tools should be:
- Purpose-built for specific use cases
- Ethically designed with built-in safeguards
- Educationally valuable for defensive security
- Professionally viable for authorized testing
Call to Action
I invite the cybersecurity community to:
- Try PrivilegeOS in authorized testing environments
- Provide feedback on features and improvements
- Contribute to the open-source project
- Share knowledge about defensive techniques
Download and Resources
- GitHub Repository: https://github.com/ktauchathuranga/privilegeos
- Release Downloads: Available on GitHub releases page
- Documentation: Comprehensive README and wiki
- Issue Tracker: Bug reports and feature requests
Disclaimer: PrivilegeOS is intended for educational and authorized penetration testing purposes only. Users are responsible for ensuring they have proper authorization before testing any system and must comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
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