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Radare2

Tool manual · Kali & common usage

Forensics · Advanced · Forensics lane

AdvancedReverse Engineering
Authorized usage only. Capture and inspect traffic only on systems and networks you own or have written permission to analyze.

What is Radare2?

Radare2 is a CLI reverse-engineering framework.

Disassemble/debug binaries without a heavy GUI.

Official website: Radare2 · Documentation

When do you use it?

  • You need CLI reverse engineering framework.
  • You are following a CYNARKS lab or authorized engagement that calls for Radare2.
  • You already tried simpler checks and need this tool’s deeper capability.

Who uses it?

  • Security practitioners
  • Students in authorized labs
  • Engineers validating their own systems

How do you use it? (typical flow)

  1. Install Radare2 using the steps below (prefer Kali package or official installer).
  2. Confirm you have authorization for the target (lab VM, own system, or written scope).
  3. Run --help / man (or the Help section) to see current flags for your version.
  4. Start with a safe example from Basic commands against localhost or an authorized lab target.
  5. Record what you ran, what you observed, and any follow-up (filter, report, remediation).

Help & manual (like man / --help)

Every serious tool has a built-in way to look up flags. Learn these first so you are not stuck memorizing every option.

  1. 1. Help

    r2 -h

  2. 2. Book

    https://book.rada.re/

Kali Linux

sudo apt install radare2

1. Installation

OSInstallation
Kali Linuxsudo apt install radare2
Allhttps://github.com/radareorg/radare2

2. Basic commands

  1. 1. Analyze intentional vuln binary

    r2 -A ./lab_binary

    Analyze intentional vuln binary

  2. 2. Show help

    r2 --help

    List flags for your installed version (same habit as man/--help).

  3. 3. Short help

    r2 -h

    Alternate help flag when supported.

5. Useful features

  • Disassembly
  • Debugging

6. Practical examples

  1. Example 1: Analyze intentional vuln binary

    r2 -A ./lab_binary

    Analyze intentional vuln binary

  2. Example 2: Show help

    r2 --help

    List flags for your installed version (same habit as man/--help).

  3. Example 3: Short help

    r2 -h

    Alternate help flag when supported.

7. Important notes

  • Alternative to Ghidra for CLI workflows.
  • Authorized targets only — labs, systems you own, or written permission.
  • Prefer reading --help / man / official docs for your installed version; flags change over time.

Related course: digital forensics incident response · Commands: /commands