Identifier / Programs / Linux and Unix

apache2ctl

Administrate the Apache HTTP web server. This command comes with Debian based OSes, for RHEL based ones see httpd. tldr-pages

GTFOBins file-read 1 documented command

How apache2ctl is abused

documented by GTFOBins

file-read

-c

Each abuse is GTFOBins's category and the options and words it uses; the full write-up is on GTFOBins's page for apache2ctl.

1 documented command

from GTFOBins, each read by the identifier

file-read unprivileged, with sudo

The first line only is likely leaked as an error message.

apache2ctl -c 'Include /path/to/input-file'

Identify

The command the identifier reads trips no Sigma process-creation rule. This command is, with GTFOBins’ notes, from GTFOBins, at commit acd524623f9c of 2026-05-27, under the GPL-3.0, with no warranty. Changed: Markdown is shown formatted. The source is in lolbas-gtfobins-commands.json.gz, and the full entry is on GTFOBins’s page for apache2ctl. The identifier reads the line that runs apache2ctl.

Everyday use

from tldr-pages, CC BY 4.0

Start the Apache daemon. Throw a message if it is already running

sudo apache2ctl startIdentify

Stop the Apache daemon

sudo apache2ctl stopIdentify

Restart the Apache daemon

sudo apache2ctl restartIdentify

None of the 3 examples the identifier reads matches GTFOBins abuse or trips a Sigma process-creation rule.

apache2ctl

How apache2ctl is abused

1 documented command

Everyday use

Other programs abused for file-read