OverTheWire Bandit Level 4 → 5 tutorial!!

Login

Log in as bandit4 using the password you just obtained from Level 3 → 4.

ssh bandit4@bandit.labs.overthewire.org -p 2220
# password: 2WmrDFRmJIq3IPxneAaMGhap0pFhF3NJ

Why? Each Bandit level is a different UNIX user; to solve 4 → 5 you must be bandit4.

Task

The password for the next level is stored in the only human-readable file inside the directory inhere in bandit4’s home.

A little bit of Theory

• The directory currently contains files named -file00 … -file09 (note the leading -).

• Many commands treat a leading - as an option. Safest is to prefix with ./ or use --:

  file ./*          # OK: expands to ./-file00, ./-file01, ...
  cat ./-file07     # OK
  cat -- -file07    # also OK
  

• Use file to identify which entry is ASCII text (human-readable). To avoid false positives, filter exactly : ASCII text (not “Non-ISO extended-ASCII”):

  file ./* | grep ': ASCII text'
  

• Then cat that filename to print the password.

Further reading (open in new tab):

• file command manual
• grep manual

Solution (step-by-step, with reasons)

1. Move into the directory with the files

   cd inhere
   

   Why? The challenge says all candidate files are here.

2. Identify the only human-readable file

   file ./* | grep ': ASCII text'
   

   Why? file classifies each entry; the grep narrows to the single ASCII text file.

1. Print the password Suppose the previous command showed ./-file07: ASCII text. Read it with:

   cat ./-file07
   # or: cat -- -file07
   

   Why? Prefixing with ./ (or using --) prevents the leading dash from being parsed as an option.

1. Copy the password (no extra spaces/newlines).

2. Log into the next level (bandit5)

   exit
   ssh bandit5@bandit.labs.overthewire.org -p 2220
   # paste the password you just found when prompted
   

Password

This is the password shown in my run; if yours differs, copy the one from your own terminal output.

4oQYVPkxZOOEOO5pTW81FB8j8lxXGUQw

Troubleshooting

• cat: invalid option → Use cat ./-filename or cat -- -filename.
• No such file or directory → Ensure you cd inhere and copy the filename exactly.
• Terminal looks weird after cat → You probably viewed a binary; run reset, then use file ./* | grep ': ASCII text'.

Congrats 🎉 You found the only human-readable file and can now play as bandit5.

Thanks for reading!

Until next time — Otsumachi!! 💖☄️✨