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burpsuite not running

Troubl3sh0ot | Last updated: Feb 08, 2022 09:17AM UTC

I have been trying to badly to search for a way to fix this issue, I cannot open burpsuite from the menu nor can I open it from the terminal. every time I try to open burpsuite from the terminal I am only left with "invalid file (bad magic number): Exec format error" this issue happens after I update burpsuite.

Ben, PortSwigger Agent | Last updated: Feb 08, 2022 12:26PM UTC

Hi, Just to clarify, are you running Burp on a Kali Linux machine? Are you also able to confirm how you have updated Burp on the machine that you are using?

Troubl3sh0ot | Last updated: Feb 08, 2022 10:37PM UTC

yes, I am running burp on a kali linux virtual machine. I updated burpsuite by downloading the .jar file, then renamed the .jar file to burpsuite and then added an executable to the .jar file and moved the file to /usr/bin. did I do the update procedure wrong? i followed the steps from a step by step guide.

Ben, PortSwigger Agent | Last updated: Feb 09, 2022 10:24AM UTC

Hi, Thank you for the confirmation. Burp is pre-installed in a slightly unusual manner on Kali Linux. The 'burpsuite' file in the /usr/bin directory is actually a script file - the script launches the burpsuite.jar file, which is actually located in the /usr/share/burpsuite directory. When you enter the 'burpsuite' command on the command line you are executing the script file which then launches the burpsuite.jar file. If you wanted to keep this method of operation you would need to restore the original 'burpsuite' file in the /usr/bin directory and then replace the existing burpsuite.jar file in the /usr/share/burpsuite directory with the latest jar file (making sure to keep the new file named as 'burpsuite.jar'). The alternative would be to use the Burp Linux installation script and install Burp separately (the latest Burp version is available here - https://portswigger.net/burp/releases/professional-community-2022-1?requestededition=community - if you select the 'Linux (64-bit)' option from the dropdown menu this will retrieve the .sh installation file) - you can then manage the updates via the update functionality within the software itself.

Troubl3sh0ot | Last updated: Feb 11, 2022 07:07AM UTC

k I tried these steps like you said and I don't know if I am doing this incorrectly or what but after I tried what you said and the result I get is "zsh: permission denied: burpsuite" what do you suggest I do?

Troubl3sh0ot | Last updated: Feb 11, 2022 07:08AM UTC

(sorry for the double post, didn't mean to.)

Ben, PortSwigger Agent | Last updated: Feb 11, 2022 09:06AM UTC

Hi, You might need to add 'sudo' to your commands in order escalate your privileges and make some of the changes required. Which particular part of the process are you having issues with?

Troubl3sh0ot | Last updated: Feb 12, 2022 12:05AM UTC

the part where you said "If you wanted to keep this method of operation you would need to restore the original 'burpsuite' file in the /usr/bin directory and then replace the existing burpsuite.jar file in the /usr/share/burpsuite directory with the latest jar file (making sure to keep the new file named as 'burpsuite.jar')."

Troubl3sh0ot | Last updated: Feb 12, 2022 12:44AM UTC

everytime I try to run burpsuite again, I get an error saying: zsh: permission denied: burpsuite.

Troubl3sh0ot | Last updated: Feb 12, 2022 03:34AM UTC

also, when you mean "original burpsuite file," did you meant the file that came with kali linux? and if so, how do you download it? do you download it by selecting the linux option in the download dropbox?

Troubl3sh0ot | Last updated: Feb 12, 2022 03:34AM UTC

also, when you mean "original burpsuite file," did you meant the file that came with kali linux? and if so, how do you download it? do you download it by selecting the linux option in the download dropbox?

Troubl3sh0ot | Last updated: Feb 12, 2022 03:48AM UTC

okay so... I found a solution to the problem, turns out it was easier than I thought I was just over reading what you said earlier. thanks for your help!

Ben, PortSwigger Agent | Last updated: Feb 14, 2022 08:19AM UTC

Hi, Apologies for the lack of response (our support service is only available during UK office hours Monday to Friday) - glad to hear you resolved the issue and got Burp working again.

Don | Last updated: May 24, 2022 08:04AM UTC

Hi Ben, I have the same issue. Would you please explain your below sentence to me, I have recently tried to update the burp suite version and got this issue :(. Thanks! "If you wanted to keep this method of operation you would need to restore the original 'burpsuite' file in the /usr/bin directory and then replace the existing burpsuite.jar file in the /usr/share/burpsuite directory with the latest jar file (making sure to keep the new file named as 'burpsuite.jar'). "

Ben, PortSwigger Agent | Last updated: May 25, 2022 07:01AM UTC

Hi Don, To confirm, this is in relation to Kali Linux? If so, Kali Linux is setup so that users can simply enter the command 'burpsuite' into the terminal in order to launch the pre-configured version of Burp that comes with Kali. The way that this works is that there is a script file, entitled 'burpsuite', within the /usr/bin directory and it is this script that then runs the actual Burp jar file, which is located in the /usr/share/burpsuite directory. The issue that we are seeing is that users are simply obtaining the latest Jar file version of Burp and overwriting the 'burpsuite' script file located in the /usr/bin directory and are then attempting to run Burp by entering the 'burpsuite' command and encountering issues. As noted earlier in this thread, if you want to keep this method of running Burp then you need to obtain the latest Burp Jar file and overwrite the existing burpsuite.jar file located in the /usr/share/burpsuite directory. You should then still be able to enter the 'burpsuite' command in order to launch Burp. The alternative would be to obtain the installable version of Burp and then install this separately (this then creates a menu shortcut allowing you to launch Burp via that method).

Vaibhav | Last updated: Jan 14, 2023 08:27AM UTC

How can I restore original burpsuite script file in /usr/bin directory?

Ben, PortSwigger Agent | Last updated: Jan 16, 2023 10:25AM UTC

Hi Vaibhav, Is it just the burpsuite file in the /usr/bin directory that you have changed?

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