🚀 How to Fix “Permission Denied” Errors When Running Scripts on Kali Linux (2025 Definitive Guide)

Getting “Permission denied” errors when trying to run your scripts or commands on Kali Linux? This common roadblock frustrates both beginners and pros alike in 2025. But don’t worry — this guide explains why it happens and how to fix it permanently.

⚠️ Why Do You Get Permission Denied?

• File or script lacks executable permission.
• Trying to run commands without necessary user privileges.
• Script owned by another user or root but you lack access rights.
• SELinux or AppArmor restrictions (rare on Kali but possible).
• Trying to write or modify files without correct permissions.

✅ Step 1: Check File Permissions

Start by verifying permissions of the file you want to run:

ls -l /path/to/your/script.sh

If you don’t see an x (executable) in the permissions, the script can’t run.

🔧 Step 2: Add Execute Permission

Make your script executable with:

chmod +x /path/to/your/script.sh

Now try running the script again:

./script.sh

⚡ Step 3: Use sudo for Commands Requiring Elevated Privileges

Many Kali Linux commands need root rights. If you get “Permission denied” on a command, prepend sudo:

sudo ./script.sh

Or for single commands:

sudo apt-get update

Make sure your user is in the sudo group:

sudo usermod -aG sudo yourusername

🔒 Step 4: Check File Ownership

If the script belongs to root or another user, you might need to change ownership or run it as root:

sudo chown yourusername:yourusername /path/to/your/script.sh

🔍 Step 5: Confirm No Mount or Filesystem Restrictions

If you’re running scripts from USB drives or network shares, check if the filesystem is mounted with noexec flag:

mount | grep noexec

If noexec is set, scripts won’t execute. Remount without it:

sudo mount -o remount,exec /mount/point

🧠 Pro Tips

• Always use absolute paths when running scripts.
• Never run untrusted scripts with sudo to avoid security risks.
• For frequent root access, use sudo -i to enter an interactive root shell safely.
• Learn to use chmod and chown well — permissions are foundational in Linux security.

💬 Common Permission Denied Scenarios and Solutions

Scenario 1: “Permission denied” when running a Python script

Fix: Make it executable (chmod +x script.py) or run with interpreter (python3 script.py).

Scenario 2: Cannot write to a file or directory

Fix: Check ownership and permissions. Change with chown or chmod as needed.

Scenario 3: Trying to install packages and getting permission denied

Fix: Always use sudo with package managers like apt-get or dpkg.

📌 Final Thoughts

“Permission denied” errors in Kali Linux are almost always permission or ownership issues that you can fix with chmod, chown, or sudo. Understanding Linux permissions and user roles is key to smooth scripting and system management.

Stuck on a tricky permission error? Post your terminal logs at Tsupports.blogspot.com — we’ll help you troubleshoot it fast.