lsbom - macOS

Overview

The lsbom command is a powerful tool used to inspect and analyze the contents of binary executables on macOS. It can provide valuable insights into the dependencies, frameworks, and libraries used by a specific application. It is particularly useful for diagnosing issues, ensuring compatibility, or analyzing potential security risks.

Syntax

lsbom [options] [--] <path/to/executable>

Options/Flags

  • -a, --all: List all dependencies, including transitive dependencies.
  • -f, --full: Provide a verbose output with detailed information about each dependency.
  • -json: Output the results in JSON format.
  • -l, --libraries: List only dependent libraries.
  • -m, --frameworks: List only dependent frameworks.
  • -p, --paths: Print the full paths to dependent files.
  • -s, --summary: Display a concise summary of the dependencies.
  • -t, --tree: Display the dependency tree in a hierarchical format.
  • -x, --exclude: Exclude specific dependencies from the analysis.

Examples

Simple Usage

lsbom /Applications/Safari.app/Contents/MacOS/Safari

Verbose Output with Full Paths

lsbom -f -p /System/Library/CoreServices/Finder.app/Contents/MacOS/Finder

JSON Output

lsbom -json /usr/bin/ls

Dependency Tree

lsbom -t /usr/bin/top

Common Issues

  • ErrPermissionDenied: Ensure you have sufficient permissions to access the target executable. Try running the command with sudo.
  • ErrFileNotExist: The specified path may be incorrect or the file may not exist. Verify the path and try again.

Integration

lsbom can be combined with other commands for advanced tasks:

  • xcrun lsbom to analyze executables built with Xcode.
  • lsbom - | grep to filter the results for specific dependencies.
  • lsbom - | jq to process the JSON output using the jq command-line JSON processor.
  • otool: Display information about object files and shared libraries.
  • dependencies: List dependencies of a specific application bundle.