Get the char* value with python gdb

Question

With GDB and Python I tried to get the char* value on x1 register

python
a= gdb.execute("x/s $x1", to_string=True)
print(a)
end

But I got 0xbb4aaa: "SomeString"

I want to get only the SomeString without the address

How can I do that directly with python GDB (without regex/split)

@ssbssa $x1 is a register ,not a variable . that doesn't work — python3.789
– python3.789, Commented Jun 27, 2023 at 15:48
In that case, gdb.selected_frame().read_register('x1').cast(gdb.lookup_type('char').pointer()).string(). — ssbssa
– ssbssa, Commented Jun 27, 2023 at 16:43
@ssbssa Wow that crazy command, work, so strange that there is no simple python command for that — python3.789
– python3.789, Commented Jun 27, 2023 at 16:51
Another alternative that's not as efficient, but is compact: a = gdb.execute('printf "%s", $x1', to_string=True) — Mark Plotnick
– Mark Plotnick, Commented Jun 27, 2023 at 19:21

Keivan · Accepted Answer · 2024-01-19 10:35:22Z

-1

I had the exact same problem and was super annoyed by the output of the address. Using the method .string() worked for me:

print(a.string())

Keivan

1,8372 gold badges31 silver badges34 bronze badges

answered Jan 18, 2024 at 13:04

PythonNewbe

92 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

1 Answer 1