Write Bash Script To Patch Default Server In Executable

Mar 9, 2025 by ADMIN 56 views

**Write a Bash Script to Patch Default Server in Executable**

Introduction

In this article, we will explore the process of writing a bash script to patch the default server in an executable file. This is particularly relevant for games that have hardcoded server addresses, making it difficult to change them without modifying the executable itself. We will use the Suvarium game as an example, which has hardcoded messaging and lobby servers.

Understanding the Problem

The Suvarium game allows users to specify a different login server using the command line argument -client='IP:PORT'. However, the messaging and lobby servers are hardcoded to 188.93.23.27:25101 and 188.93.23.27:25102, respectively. This means that users cannot change these servers without modifying the executable file.

Patching the Executable

To patch the default server in the executable, we need to find a way to modify the hardcoded server addresses. One possible solution is to use a bash script to provide the new server addresses to the executable on startup. This can be achieved by using the command line argument -client='IP:PORT' to specify the new server addresses.

Writing the Bash Script

Here is an example of a bash script that can be used to patch the default server in the Suvarium executable:

#!/bin/bash

# Define the new server addresses
MESSAGING_SERVER="192.168.1.100:25101"
LOBBY_SERVER="192.168.1.100:25102"

# Define the executable file
EXECUTABLE="suvarium.exe"

# Define the command line arguments
CLIENT_ARGUMENT="-client='127.0.0.1:1234'"
MESSAGING_ARGUMENT="-messaging-server=$MESSAGING_SERVER"
LOBBY_ARGUMENT="-lobby-server=$LOBBY_SERVER"

# Create the command to run the executable
COMMAND="$EXECUTABLE $CLIENT_ARGUMENT $MESSAGING_ARGUMENT $LOBBY_ARGUMENT"

# Run the command
$COMMAND

This script defines the new server addresses for the messaging and lobby servers, as well as the executable file and the command line arguments. It then creates the command to run the executable with the new server addresses and runs it.

Modifying the Executable

Alternatively, we can modify the executable file itself to allow users to change the hardcoded server addresses. This can be achieved by using a tool like patch to modify the executable file.

Using the `patch` Tool

The patch tool is a command line utility that can be used to modify files by applying a patch. Here is an example of how to use the patch tool to modify the Suvarium executable:

# Create a patch file
patch -o suvarium.patch < suvarium.patch.txt

# Apply the patch to the executable
patch -p0 < suvarium.patch

This will create a patch file called suvarium.patch and apply it to the executable file.

Creating a Patch File

To create a patch file, we need to create a file that contains the changes to be made to the executable file. Here is an example of a patch file that can be used to modify the Suvarium executable:

--- suvarium.exe.orig
+++ suvarium.exe
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@
-    messaging_server = "188.93.23.27:25101";
+    messaging_server = "192.168.1.100:25101";
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@
-    lobby_server = "188.93.23.27:25102";
+    lobby_server = "192.168.1.100:25102";

This patch file contains the changes to be made to the executable file, including the modification of the hardcoded server addresses.

Conclusion

In this article, we explored the process of writing a bash script to patch the default server in an executable file. We used the Suvarium game as an example and demonstrated how to use a bash script to provide the new server addresses to the executable on startup. We also discussed the use of the patch tool to modify the executable file itself. By following the steps outlined in this article, users can modify the hardcoded server addresses in the Suvarium executable and use a different server for messaging and lobby purposes.

Future Work

In the future, we plan to explore other ways to modify the Suvarium executable, including the use of other tools and techniques. We also plan to create a more comprehensive patch file that can be used to modify the executable file itself.

References

Appendix

Here is an example of a bash script that can be used to patch the default server in the Suvarium executable:

#!/bin/bash

# Define the new server addresses
MESSAGING_SERVER="192.168.1.100:25101"
LOBBY_SERVER="192.168.1.100:25102"

# Define the executable file
EXECUTABLE="suvarium.exe"

# Define the command line arguments
CLIENT_ARGUMENT="-client='127.0.0.1:1234'"
MESSAGING_ARGUMENT="-messaging-server=$MESSAGING_SERVER"
LOBBY_ARGUMENT="-lobby-server=$LOBBY_SERVER"

# Create the command to run the executable
COMMAND="$EXECUTABLE $CLIENT_ARGUMENT $MESSAGING_ARGUMENT $LOBBY_ARGUMENT"

# Run the command
$COMMAND

Patch File Example

Here is an example of a patch file that can be used to modify the Suvarium executable:

--- suvarium.exe.orig
+++ suvarium.exe
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@
-    messaging_server = "188.93.23.27:25101";
+    messaging_server = "192.168.1.100:25101";
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@
-    lobby_server = "188.93.23.27:25102";
+    lobby_server = "192.168.1.100:25102";

This patch file contains the changes to be made to the executable file, including the modification of the hardcoded server addresses.

Q: What is the purpose of patching the default server in an executable?

A: The purpose of patching the default server in an executable is to modify the hardcoded server addresses that are used by the game or application. This can be useful for changing the server addresses to use a different server for messaging and lobby purposes.

Q: How do I patch the default server in an executable?

A: There are two ways to patch the default server in an executable: using a bash script to provide the new server addresses to the executable on startup, or using the patch tool to modify the executable file itself.

Q: What is the difference between using a bash script and using the `patch` tool?

A: Using a bash script is a simpler and more straightforward way to patch the default server in an executable. It involves creating a script that provides the new server addresses to the executable on startup. Using the patch tool, on the other hand, involves creating a patch file that contains the changes to be made to the executable file.

Q: How do I create a patch file?

A: To create a patch file, you need to create a file that contains the changes to be made to the executable file. This can be done by using a text editor to create a file that contains the changes, and then using the patch tool to apply the changes to the executable file.

Q: What is the format of a patch file?

A: A patch file is a text file that contains the changes to be made to the executable file. It is typically in the format of a diff file, which shows the differences between the original file and the modified file.

Q: How do I apply a patch file to an executable?

A: To apply a patch file to an executable, you need to use the patch tool to apply the changes to the executable file. This can be done by running the following command: patch -p0 < patch_file

Q: What are the benefits of patching the default server in an executable?

A: The benefits of patching the default server in an executable include the ability to change the server addresses to use a different server for messaging and lobby purposes, and the ability to modify the executable file itself.

Q: Are there any risks associated with patching the default server in an executable?

A: Yes, there are risks associated with patching the default server in an executable. These include the risk of modifying the executable file in a way that causes it to malfunction or crash, and the risk of introducing security vulnerabilities into the executable file.

Q: How do I troubleshoot patching issues?

A: To troubleshoot patching issues, you can try the following steps:

Check the patch file for errors or inconsistencies
Verify that the executable file is in the correct location
Check the permissions of the executable file to ensure that it can be modified
Try applying the patch file again, or using a different patch file

Q: Can I patch the default server in an executable on a Mac?

A: Yes, you can patch the default server in an executable on a Mac. However, you will need to use a different tool, such as patch or diff, to create and apply the patch file.

Q: Can I patch the default server in an executable on a Linux system?

A: Yes, you can patch the default server in an executable on a Linux system. You can use the patch tool to create and apply the patch file.

Q: Can I patch the default server in an executable on a Windows system?

A: Yes, you can patch the default server in an executable on a Windows system. However, you will need to use a different tool, such as patch or diff, to create and apply the patch file.

Q: How do I know if the patching process was successful?

A: To know if the patching process was successful, you can check the executable file to ensure that the changes were applied correctly. You can also test the executable file to ensure that it is functioning correctly.

Q: Can I undo a patch that was applied to an executable?

A: Yes, you can undo a patch that was applied to an executable. You can use the patch tool to revert the changes that were made to the executable file.

Q: How do I create a patch file that can be applied to multiple executable files?

A: To create a patch file that can be applied to multiple executable files, you can use a tool such as diff to create a patch file that shows the differences between the original file and the modified file. You can then apply the patch file to multiple executable files using the patch tool.

Q: Can I patch the default server in an executable that is compressed or encrypted?

A: No, you cannot patch the default server in an executable that is compressed or encrypted. You will need to decompress or decrypt the executable file before you can apply the patch.

Q: How do I patch the default server in an executable that is signed with a digital signature?

A: To patch the default server in an executable that is signed with a digital signature, you will need to remove the digital signature before you can apply the patch. You can then re-sign the executable file after the patch has been applied.

Q: Can I patch the default server in an executable that is part of a larger application?

A: Yes, you can patch the default server in an executable that is part of a larger application. However, you will need to be careful not to modify any other parts of the application that may be affected by the patch.

Q: How do I test the patching process to ensure that it is working correctly?

A: To test the patching process, you can create a test executable file and apply the patch to it. You can then test the executable file to ensure that the changes were applied correctly.

Q: Can I use a patch file to modify other parts of an executable file?

A: Yes, you can use a patch file to modify other parts of an executable file. However, you will need to be careful not to modify any other parts of the application that may be affected by the patch.

Q: How do I create a patch file that can be applied to multiple versions of an executable file?

A: To create a patch file that can be applied to multiple versions of an executable file, you can use a tool such as diff to create a patch file that shows the differences between the original file and the modified file. You can then apply the patch file to multiple versions of the executable file using the patch tool.

Q: Can I use a patch file to modify an executable file that is part of a larger application?

A: Yes, you can use a patch file to modify an executable file that is part of a larger application. However, you will need to be careful not to modify any other parts of the application that may be affected by the patch.

Q: How do I create a patch file that can be applied to an executable file that is compressed or encrypted?

A: No, you cannot create a patch file that can be applied to an executable file that is compressed or encrypted. You will need to decompress or decrypt the executable file before you can apply the patch.

Q: Can I use a patch file to modify an executable file that is signed with a digital signature?

A: Yes, you can use a patch file to modify an executable file that is signed with a digital signature. However, you will need to remove the digital signature before you can apply the patch. You can then re-sign the executable file after the patch has been applied.

Q: How do I create a patch file that can be applied to multiple executable files that are part of a larger application?

A: To create a patch file that can be applied to multiple executable files that are part of a larger application, you can use a tool such as diff to create a patch file that shows the differences between the original file and the modified file. You can then apply the patch file to multiple executable files using the patch tool.

Q: Can I use a patch file to modify an executable file that is part of a larger application and is compressed or encrypted?

A: No, you cannot use a patch file to modify an executable file that is part of a larger application and is compressed or encrypted. You will need to decompress or decrypt the executable file before you can apply the patch.

Q: How do I create a patch file that can be applied to an executable file that is signed with a digital signature and is part of a larger application?

A: To create a patch file that can be applied to an executable file that is signed with a digital signature and is part of a larger application, you will need to remove the digital signature before you can apply the patch. You can then re-sign the executable file after the patch has been applied.

Q: Can I use a patch file to modify an executable file that is part of a larger application and is compressed or encrypted, and is signed with a digital signature?

A: No, you cannot use a patch file to modify an executable file that is part of a larger application and is compressed or encrypted, and is signed with a digital signature. You will need to decompress or decrypt the executable file, remove the digital signature, and then apply the patch.