Recover Data from Encrypted File Systems

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Recover Data from Encrypted File Systems

In this exercise, you will recover an encrypted LUKS partition by using a backup LUKS header file. *This course is not approved or sponsored by Red Hat.*

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Lab Info

Level

Advanced

Last updated

May 26, 2025

Duration

1h 0m

Challenge

Unlock the encrypted device.
Review the contents of /etc/crypttab:
```
cat /etc/crypttab
```
Check the mounts with lsbkl :
```
lsblk
```
Review the contents of /etc/fstab:
```
cat /etc/fstab
```
Attempt to mount /luks:
```
mount /luks
```
Look for the unlocked device in /dev/mapper:
```
ll /dev/mapper
```
Attempt to open manually:
```
cryptsetup luksOpen /dev/mapper/vg_1-lv_1 luks-vg_1-lv_1 --key-file /root/passphrase.key
```
View the key slots:
```
cryptsetup luksDump /dev/mapper/vg_1-lv_1
```
No key slots are in use. Locate the header backup in /root/:
```
ll /root/
```
Restore header file:
```
cryptsetup luksHeaderRestore /dev/mapper/vg_1-lv_1 --header-backup-file /root/vg_1-lv_1.header
```
Type uppercase YES.

Attempt to open manually again (using same key and name as /etc/crypttab:
```
cryptsetup luksOpen /dev/mapper/vg_1-lv_1 luks-vg_1-lv_1 --key-file /root/passphrase.key
```
Verify unlocked device:
```
ll /dev/mapper
```
Challenge

Mount the encrypted device.
Mount the unlocked device:
```
mount /luks/
```
View the files on the device:
```
ll /luks/
```

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