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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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Path Info

Level
Clock icon Advanced
Duration
Clock icon 1h 0m
Last updated
Clock icon May 26, 2025

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Table of Contents

  1. 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

  2. Challenge

    Mount the encrypted device.

    Mount the unlocked device:

    mount /luks/

    View the files on the device:

    ll /luks/
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