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Frida Cheat Sheet
Overview
Frida is a dynamic instrumentation toolkit for developers, reverse-engineers, and security researchers. It allows you to inject JavaScript or your own library into native apps on Windows, macOS, GNU/Linux, iOS, Android, and QNX. Frida provides powerful capabilities for runtime manipulation, API hooking, and dynamic analysis of applications.
⚠️ Warning: Only use Frida on applications you own or have explicit permission to test. Unauthorized use may violate terms of service or local laws.
Installation
Python Package Installation
bash
# Install Frida via pip (recommended)
pip install frida-tools
# Install specific version
pip install frida-tools==12.11.18
# Upgrade to latest version
pip install --upgrade frida-tools
Platform-Specific Installation
Linux
bash
# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt update
sudo apt install python3-pip
pip3 install frida-tools
# Arch Linux
sudo pacman -S python-pip
pip install frida-tools
# CentOS/RHEL
sudo yum install python3-pip
pip3 install frida-tools
macOS
bash
# Using Homebrew
brew install python3
pip3 install frida-tools
# Using MacPorts
sudo port install python39 +universal
pip3 install frida-tools
Windows
bash
# Using Python installer
python -m pip install frida-tools
# Using Chocolatey
choco install python3
pip install frida-tools
Mobile Device Setup
Android
bash
# Download Frida server for Android
wget https://github.com/frida/frida/releases/download/16.0.8/frida-server-16.0.8-android-arm64.xz
unxz frida-server-16.0.8-android-arm64.xz
# Push to device and set permissions
adb push frida-server-16.0.8-android-arm64 /data/local/tmp/frida-server
adb shell chmod 755 /data/local/tmp/frida-server
# Run Frida server on device
adb shell su -c "/data/local/tmp/frida-server &"
iOS
bash
# Install via Cydia (jailbroken devices)
# Add Frida repository: https://build.frida.re
# Or install via SSH
ssh root@<device-ip>
apt update
apt install re.frida.server
Basic Usage
Process Discovery
bash
# List running processes
frida-ps
# List processes on USB device
frida-ps -U
# List processes on remote device
frida-ps -H <host>:<port>
# List applications (Android/iOS)
frida-ps -Uai
# List installed applications
frida-ps -Ua
Basic Hooking
bash
# Attach to running process by name
frida -n "target_app" -l script.js
# Attach to process by PID
frida -p 1234 -l script.js
# Spawn and attach to application
frida -f com.example.app -l script.js --no-pause
# Interactive REPL mode
frida -n "target_app"
Script Execution
bash
# Execute JavaScript file
frida -n "target_app" -l hook_script.js
# Execute inline JavaScript
frida -n "target_app" -e "console.log('Hello from Frida');"
# Execute with USB device
frida -U -f com.example.app -l script.js
# Execute with remote device
frida -H 192.168.1.100:27042 -f com.example.app -l script.js
Command Reference
Command | Description |
---|---|
frida-ps | List running processes |
frida-ps -U | List processes on USB device |
frida-ps -Uai | List applications on USB device |
frida -n <name> | Attach to process by name |
frida -p <pid> | Attach to process by PID |
frida -f <app> | Spawn and attach to application |
frida -l <script> | Load JavaScript file |
frida -e <code> | Execute inline JavaScript |
frida-trace | Trace function calls |
frida-discover | Discover internal functions |
frida-kill | Kill Frida scripts |
JavaScript API Basics
Memory Operations
javascript
// Read memory
var addr = ptr("0x12345678");
var value = Memory.readU32(addr);
console.log("Value:", value);
// Write memory
Memory.writeU32(addr, 0xdeadbeef);
// Allocate memory
var buffer = Memory.alloc(1024);
Memory.writeUtf8String(buffer, "Hello World");
// Search memory
var pattern = "48 8b 05 ?? ?? ?? ??";
var matches = Memory.scanSync(ptr("0x400000"), 0x1000, pattern);
Function Hooking
javascript
// Hook function by address
Interceptor.attach(ptr("0x12345678"), {
onEnter: function(args) {
console.log("Function called with args:", args[0], args[1]);
this.arg0 = args[0];
},
onLeave: function(retval) {
console.log("Function returned:", retval);
retval.replace(ptr("0x1"));
}
});
// Hook function by name (with Module)
var targetModule = Process.getModuleByName("libc.so");
var mallocAddr = targetModule.getExportByName("malloc");
Interceptor.attach(mallocAddr, {
onEnter: function(args) {
console.log("malloc called with size:", args[0].toInt32());
}
});
Module and Symbol Resolution
javascript
// List loaded modules
Process.enumerateModules().forEach(function(module) {
console.log(module.name, module.base, module.size);
});
// Get module by name
var module = Process.getModuleByName("libssl.so");
console.log("Base address:", module.base);
// Enumerate exports
module.enumerateExports().forEach(function(exp) {
console.log(exp.name, exp.address);
});
// Find symbol
var symbol = Module.findExportByName("libc.so", "strcmp");
console.log("strcmp address:", symbol);
Advanced Usage
Android Application Hooking
javascript
// Hook Android Java methods
Java.perform(function() {
var MainActivity = Java.use("com.example.MainActivity");
MainActivity.checkLicense.implementation = function() {
console.log("License check bypassed");
return true;
};
// Hook constructor
MainActivity.$init.implementation = function() {
console.log("MainActivity constructor called");
return this.$init();
};
// Hook with multiple overloads
var String = Java.use("java.lang.String");
String.equals.overload("java.lang.Object").implementation = function(obj) {
var result = this.equals(obj);
console.log("String.equals called:", this.toString(), "==", obj.toString(), "->", result);
return result;
};
});
iOS Application Hooking
javascript
// Hook Objective-C methods
if (ObjC.available) {
var NSString = ObjC.classes.NSString;
var method = NSString["- isEqualToString:"];
Interceptor.attach(method.implementation, {
onEnter: function(args) {
var self = ObjC.Object(args[0]);
var other = ObjC.Object(args[2]);
console.log("NSString isEqualToString:", self.toString(), "==", other.toString());
}
});
// Hook class methods
var UIApplication = ObjC.classes.UIApplication;
var sharedApplication = UIApplication["+ sharedApplication"];
Interceptor.attach(sharedApplication.implementation, {
onLeave: function(retval) {
console.log("UIApplication sharedApplication called");
}
});
}
SSL Pinning Bypass
javascript
// Android SSL pinning bypass
Java.perform(function() {
// Hook TrustManagerImpl
var TrustManagerImpl = Java.use("com.android.org.conscrypt.TrustManagerImpl");
TrustManagerImpl.verifyChain.implementation = function(untrustedChain, trustAnchorChain, host, clientAuth, ocspData, tlsSctData) {
console.log("SSL verification bypassed for: " + host);
return untrustedChain;
};
// Hook HttpsURLConnection
var HttpsURLConnection = Java.use("javax.net.ssl.HttpsURLConnection");
HttpsURLConnection.setDefaultHostnameVerifier.implementation = function(hostnameVerifier) {
console.log("Default hostname verifier bypassed");
};
});
Root Detection Bypass
javascript
// Android root detection bypass
Java.perform(function() {
// Hook common root detection methods
var RootBeer = Java.use("com.scottyab.rootbeer.RootBeer");
RootBeer.isRooted.implementation = function() {
console.log("Root detection bypassed");
return false;
};
// Hook file existence checks
var File = Java.use("java.io.File");
File.exists.implementation = function() {
var path = this.getAbsolutePath();
if (path.indexOf("su") !== -1 || path.indexOf("busybox") !== -1) {
console.log("Blocked file check for:", path);
return false;
}
return this.exists();
};
});
Custom Protocol Analysis
javascript
// Hook network functions
var send = Module.findExportByName("libc.so", "send");
var recv = Module.findExportByName("libc.so", "recv");
Interceptor.attach(send, {
onEnter: function(args) {
var sockfd = args[0].toInt32();
var buf = args[1];
var len = args[2].toInt32();
console.log("Send on socket", sockfd, "length", len);
console.log(hexdump(buf, { length: len, ansi: true }));
}
});
Interceptor.attach(recv, {
onLeave: function(retval) {
if (retval.toInt32() > 0) {
console.log("Received", retval.toInt32(), "bytes");
console.log(hexdump(this.context.r1, { length: retval.toInt32(), ansi: true }));
}
}
});
Frida Tools
frida-trace
bash
# Trace all functions in a module
frida-trace -n "target_app" -i "libssl.so!*"
# Trace specific functions
frida-trace -n "target_app" -i "malloc" -i "free"
# Trace with custom handler
frida-trace -n "target_app" -i "strcmp" --runtime=v8
# Trace Java methods (Android)
frida-trace -U -f com.example.app -j '*!*encrypt*'
# Trace Objective-C methods (iOS)
frida-trace -U -f com.example.app -m '*[* *encrypt*]'
frida-discover
bash
# Discover internal functions
frida-discover -n "target_app" -a libssl.so
# Discover with specific patterns
frida-discover -n "target_app" -a libssl.so -s "SSL_*"
# Output to file
frida-discover -n "target_app" -a libssl.so -o discovered_functions.txt
frida-ls-devices
bash
# List available devices
frida-ls-devices
# List with details
frida-ls-devices -l
Automation Scripts
Batch Process Analysis
python
#!/usr/bin/env python3
import frida
import sys
def on_message(message, data):
if message['type'] == 'send':
print(f"[*] {message['payload']}")
else:
print(message)
# Connect to device
device = frida.get_usb_device()
# List and analyze multiple apps
apps = ['com.example.app1', 'com.example.app2', 'com.example.app3']
for app_id in apps:
try:
print(f"[+] Analyzing {app_id}")
session = device.attach(app_id)
script_code = """
Java.perform(function() {
console.log("Analyzing: " + Java.use("android.app.Application").currentApplication().getPackageName());
});
"""
script = session.create_script(script_code)
script.on('message', on_message)
script.load()
input("Press Enter to continue to next app...")
session.detach()
except Exception as e:
print(f"[-] Error with {app_id}: {e}")
Automated SSL Pinning Test
python
#!/usr/bin/env python3
import frida
import time
ssl_bypass_script = """
Java.perform(function() {
console.log("[+] Starting SSL bypass");
// Multiple SSL bypass techniques
var techniques = [
function() {
var TrustManagerImpl = Java.use("com.android.org.conscrypt.TrustManagerImpl");
TrustManagerImpl.verifyChain.implementation = function(untrustedChain, trustAnchorChain, host, clientAuth, ocspData, tlsSctData) {
console.log("[+] SSL verification bypassed for: " + host);
return untrustedChain;
};
},
function() {
var X509TrustManager = Java.use("javax.net.ssl.X509TrustManager");
var TrustManager = Java.registerClass({
name: "com.frida.TrustManager",
implements: [X509TrustManager],
methods: {
checkClientTrusted: function(chain, authType) {},
checkServerTrusted: function(chain, authType) {},
getAcceptedIssuers: function() { return []; }
}
});
}
];
techniques.forEach(function(technique, index) {
try {
technique();
console.log("[+] SSL bypass technique " + (index + 1) + " applied");
} catch (e) {
console.log("[-] SSL bypass technique " + (index + 1) + " failed: " + e);
}
});
});
"""
def test_ssl_bypass(package_name):
try:
device = frida.get_usb_device()
session = device.attach(package_name)
script = session.create_script(ssl_bypass_script)
script.load()
print(f"[+] SSL bypass applied to {package_name}")
time.sleep(5)
session.detach()
return True
except Exception as e:
print(f"[-] Failed to apply SSL bypass to {package_name}: {e}")
return False
if __name__ == "__main__":
if len(sys.argv) != 2:
print("Usage: python3 ssl_bypass.py <package_name>")
sys.exit(1)
test_ssl_bypass(sys.argv[1])
Integration Examples
Burp Suite Integration
python
#!/usr/bin/env python3
import frida
import requests
import json
# Frida script to extract API endpoints
api_extraction_script = """
Java.perform(function() {
var URL = Java.use("java.net.URL");
URL.$init.overload("java.lang.String").implementation = function(url) {
console.log("[API] URL accessed: " + url);
send({"type": "url", "data": url});
return this.$init(url);
};
var HttpURLConnection = Java.use("java.net.HttpURLConnection");
HttpURLConnection.setRequestMethod.implementation = function(method) {
console.log("[API] HTTP Method: " + method);
send({"type": "method", "data": method});
return this.setRequestMethod(method);
};
});
"""
def on_message(message, data):
if message['type'] == 'send':
payload = message['payload']
if payload['type'] == 'url':
# Send to Burp Suite for further analysis
burp_data = {
'url': payload['data'],
'timestamp': time.time()
}
# Add to Burp Suite scope or send to Collaborator
print(f"[+] New API endpoint discovered: {payload['data']}")
# Setup Frida session
device = frida.get_usb_device()
session = device.attach("com.example.app")
script = session.create_script(api_extraction_script)
script.on('message', on_message)
script.load()
input("Press Enter to stop...")
OWASP ZAP Integration
python
#!/usr/bin/env python3
import frida
from zapv2 import ZAPv2
# Initialize ZAP
zap = ZAPv2(proxies={'http': 'http://127.0.0.1:8080', 'https': 'http://127.0.0.1:8080'})
# Frida script to route traffic through ZAP
proxy_script = """
Java.perform(function() {
var System = Java.use("java.lang.System");
System.setProperty("http.proxyHost", "127.0.0.1");
System.setProperty("http.proxyPort", "8080");
System.setProperty("https.proxyHost", "127.0.0.1");
System.setProperty("https.proxyPort", "8080");
console.log("[+] Proxy settings configured for ZAP");
});
"""
def setup_zap_integration(package_name):
device = frida.get_usb_device()
session = device.attach(package_name)
script = session.create_script(proxy_script)
script.load()
print(f"[+] ZAP integration setup for {package_name}")
print(f"[+] ZAP Spider: {zap.spider.scan('http://target-api.com')}")
return session
# Usage
session = setup_zap_integration("com.example.app")
input("Press Enter to stop...")
session.detach()
Troubleshooting
Common Connection Issues
bash
# Check if Frida server is running on device
adb shell ps | grep frida
# Restart Frida server
adb shell su -c "pkill frida-server"
adb shell su -c "/data/local/tmp/frida-server &"
# Check port forwarding
adb forward --list
adb forward tcp:27042 tcp:27042
# Test connection
frida-ps -U
Permission Issues
bash
# Android: Ensure proper permissions
adb shell su -c "chmod 755 /data/local/tmp/frida-server"
adb shell su -c "chown root:root /data/local/tmp/frida-server"
# iOS: Check Frida installation
ssh root@<device-ip> "dpkg -l | grep frida"
# Reinstall if necessary
ssh root@<device-ip> "apt remove re.frida.server && apt install re.frida.server"
Script Debugging
javascript
// Add comprehensive error handling
try {
Java.perform(function() {
// Your code here
});
} catch (e) {
console.log("Error in Java.perform:", e);
console.log("Stack trace:", e.stack);
}
// Use console.log for debugging
console.log("Debug: Variable value is", someVariable);
// Check if classes exist before using
if (Java.available) {
try {
var MyClass = Java.use("com.example.MyClass");
console.log("MyClass found");
} catch (e) {
console.log("MyClass not found:", e);
}
}
Performance Optimization
javascript
// Cache frequently used classes
var cachedClasses = {};
function getClass(className) {
if (!cachedClasses[className]) {
cachedClasses[className] = Java.use(className);
}
return cachedClasses[className];
}
// Use efficient memory operations
var buffer = Memory.alloc(1024); // Allocate once
// Reuse buffer instead of allocating repeatedly
// Minimize console output in production
var DEBUG = false;
function debugLog(message) {
if (DEBUG) {
console.log(message);
}
}
Resources
- Official Frida Documentation
- Frida GitHub Repository
- Frida JavaScript API Reference
- Frida CodeShare
- Frida Handbook
- Android Hooking with Frida
- iOS Hooking with Frida
This cheat sheet provides a comprehensive reference for using Frida for dynamic instrumentation and security testing. Always ensure you have proper authorization before using this tool in any environment.