personality
TLDR
Set execution domain
$ personality [domain] [command]
Run as Linux 32-bit$ personality --addr-no-randomize [command]
Show current personality$ personality
Run with address randomization disabled$ setarch $(uname -m) -R [command]
SYNOPSIS
personality [options] [command [args]]
DESCRIPTION
personality sets the process execution domain, affecting how the kernel handles the process. Used for compatibility with older programs or debugging.
This is a Linux-specific system call wrapper.
PARAMETERS
ADDR_NO_RANDOMIZE
Disable ASLR.MMAP_PAGE_ZERO
Map page zero.ADDR_COMPAT_LAYOUT
Legacy memory layout.READ_IMPLIES_EXEC
Readable implies executable.
EXAMPLES
$ # Disable ASLR for debugging
setarch $(uname -m) -R gdb ./program
# Run 32-bit binary
linux32 ./old_binary
# Check personality flags
personality
setarch $(uname -m) -R gdb ./program
# Run 32-bit binary
linux32 ./old_binary
# Check personality flags
personality
SYSTEM CALL
$ #include <sys/personality.h>
int personality(unsigned long persona);
/* Personality flags */
PER_LINUX - Standard Linux
PER_LINUX32 - 32-bit mode
ADDR_NO_RANDOMIZE - Disable ASLR
int personality(unsigned long persona);
/* Personality flags */
PER_LINUX - Standard Linux
PER_LINUX32 - 32-bit mode
ADDR_NO_RANDOMIZE - Disable ASLR
CAVEATS
Linux-specific. Disabling security features for compatibility reduces security. Most users should use setarch instead.
HISTORY
personality(2) is a Linux system call for setting execution domain, dating back to early Linux 2.x for binary compatibility.
