MASTG-TOOL-0135: PlistBuddy
PlistBuddy is available on macOS and allows you to print and modify .plist files. It is not on the default PATH, but it can be run via /usr/libexec/PlistBuddy. PlistBuddy uses a custom syntax to execute commands on the given plist file.
Printing a Plist File¶
The example below prints an ASCII representation of the Info.plist file of iOS UnCrackable L1 by specifying the Print command:
/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Print" Info.plist
Dict {
DTXcode = 0821
DTSDKName = iphoneos10.2
CFBundleName = UnCrackable Level 1
UILaunchStoryboardName = LaunchScreen
CFBundleIcons~ipad = Dict {
CFBundlePrimaryIcon = Dict {
CFBundleIconFiles = Array {
AppIcon-120x20
AppIcon-129x29
AppIcon-140x40
AppIcon-157x57
AppIcon-160x60
AppIcon-150x50
AppIcon-172x72
AppIcon-176x76
AppIcon-183.5x83.5
}
}
}
DTSDKBuild = 14C89
CFBundleDevelopmentRegion = en
CFBundleVersion = 1
BuildMachineOSBuild = 15G1212
DTPlatformName = iphoneos
CFBundleShortVersionString = 1.0
UIMainStoryboardFile = Main
CFBundleSupportedPlatforms = Array {
iPhoneOS
}
CFBundlePackageType = APPL
CFBundleInfoDictionaryVersion = 6.0
UIRequiredDeviceCapabilities = Array {
armv7
}
CFBundleExecutable = UnCrackable Level 1
DTCompiler = com.apple.compilers.llvm.clang.1_0
UISupportedInterfaceOrientations~ipad = Array {
UIInterfaceOrientationPortrait
UIInterfaceOrientationPortraitUpsideDown
UIInterfaceOrientationLandscapeLeft
UIInterfaceOrientationLandscapeRight
}
CFBundleIdentifier = sg.vp.UnCrackable1
MinimumOSVersion = 8.0
DTXcodeBuild = 8C1002
DTPlatformVersion = 10.2
LSRequiresIPhoneOS = true
UISupportedInterfaceOrientations = Array {
UIInterfaceOrientationPortrait
UIInterfaceOrientationLandscapeLeft
UIInterfaceOrientationLandscapeRight
}
CFBundleDisplayName = UnCrackable1
CFBundleIcons = Dict {
CFBundlePrimaryIcon = Dict {
CFBundleIconFiles = Array {
AppIcon-120x20
AppIcon-129x29
AppIcon-140x40
AppIcon-157x57
AppIcon-160x60
}
}
}
UIDeviceFamily = Array {
1
2
}
DTPlatformBuild = 14C89
}
You can also print specific entries. Dictionary properties are specified via : and array indices are 0-based. The command below prints the third app icon format:
/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Print CFBundleIcons~ipad:CFBundlePrimaryIcon:CFBundleIconFiles:2" Info.plist
AppIcon-140x40
Changing Plist Values¶
PlistBuddy can also change values via the Set <key> <value> command. The following example updates the CFBundleDisplayName:
/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set CFBundleDisplayName 'My New App Name'" Info.plist
/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Print CFBundleDisplayName" Info.plist
My New App Name
Adding and Deleting Plist Values¶
Entries can be added and deleted by specifying the key, value and type:
/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Add CustomDictionary dict" Info.plist
/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Add CustomDictionary:CustomProperty string 'OWASP MAS'" Info.plist
/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Print CustomDictionary" Info.plist
Dict {
CustomProperty = OWASP MAS
}