Finding Binary Dependencies in Linux Operating System

In this article, we are going to check the executable. We will find out which string is present in it by using the string command.

Prerequisites

Besides having a terminal open, make sure you have a binary present in your directory.

Find dependencies

• First, we will check the executable. Run the following command:

$ file binary_name

• Now we will write a command to find strings within the binary. Run the following command:

$ strings binary_name

• We can hexdump a file by running the following command:

$ od -tx1 binary_name

• We can list the symbols in the binary by running the following command:

$ nm binary_name

• You can check which shared library it has been linked with by running the following command:

$ ldd binary_name

How it works

Now we will look at an explanation of the previous commands:

• We used the file command to get the information about the binary. We also got the architecture information by running the file command.
• The string command will return the string within that binary file.
• By running the od command, you will get the hexdump of the file.
• There are symbols present in the binary. You can list those symbols by running the nm command.
• By running the ldd command, you can check which shared library your binary is linked with.