readelf

readelf is a command-line utility found on Unix-like operating systems used to display information about ELF (Executable and Linkable Format) files. ELF is a common file format for executables, object code, shared libraries, and core dumps on many systems, particularly those using the Unix System V Application Binary Interface. The readelf program allows users to inspect various sections and properties of these files, aiding in debugging, reverse engineering, and understanding program structure.

Key functionalities of readelf include displaying the ELF header, which contains general information about the file, such as its type, machine architecture, and entry point. It can also list and describe the various sections within the ELF file, such as code sections (.text), data sections (.data), symbol tables (.symtab), and relocation information. Furthermore, readelf can show dynamic linking information, including the shared libraries required by an executable and the symbols it exports or imports. It can also be used to examine program headers, which are crucial for how the operating system loads and runs an executable. The output of readelf can be quite detailed, providing low-level insights into the binary's composition.