---
name: "infect"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "elfkickers"
version: "3.2-6"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/infect"
---

# infect(1)

insert malicious code into an existing binary

## NAME

infect - insert malicious code into an existing binary

## SYNOPSIS

**infect** FILENAME

## DESCRIPTION

**infect** alters an executable file by inserting extra code to run before the original program, that when invoked creates a set-user-ID /bin/sh program.

**infect** only operates on 64-bit ELF executable files.

## OPTIONS

None.

## NOTES

In order to minimize the size of the code that needs to be inserted, **infect** relies on several non-portable aspects of Linux ELF executables. This program is therefore in no way guaranteed to function with future revisions of the Linux kernel. Then again, **infect** is not really meant to be used so much as its source code is meant to be read.

## COPYRIGHT

Copyright © 2011 Brian Raiter *\<breadbox@muppetlabs.com\>*.

License GPLv2+: GNU GPL version 2 or later. This is free software: you are free to change and redistribute it. There is NO WARRANTY, to the extent permitted by law.