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Integrity: Find the Tampered File with sha256sum -c

EasyCommand Line Essentials10-15 min
The brief

A directory of config files ships with a SHA256SUMS manifest, but one file was modified after the manifest was made. Using /root/case/dist, report in three plain-text files (not directories), one answer each:

  • /root/case/tampered.txt — the name of the file that fails verification, e.g. name.conf (the name.conf: FAILED line sha256sum -c prints is accepted too)
  • /root/case/okcount.txt — how many files verify OK, as a number
  • /root/case/total.txt — how many files were checked in total, as a number

The file set and which one is tampered vary per session. See /root/case/brief.txt.

What you'll do
  • Verify a set of files against a SHA256SUMS manifest
  • Read `sha256sum -c` output (OK vs FAILED)
  • Identify a tampered/corrupted file
  • Summarize an integrity check

Hands-on lab: you work on a real Linux box in your browser, graded on the machine's actual state.