KO (.ko)
.ko file signature | application/octet-stream
KO is a Linux kernel object module format used by the Linux kernel community for loadable kernel modules. It is used to extend the kernel at runtime with device drivers, filesystem support, and other kernel features. Because KO files run in kernel space, malformed or malicious modules can destabilize systems or compromise security, so they should only be loaded from trusted sources and are typically considered a system-level component.
Magic Bytes
Offset 0
7F 45 4C 46
Sources: Wikipedia
Extension
.ko
MIME Type
application/octet-stream
Byte Offset
0
Risk Level
Safe
Validation Code
How to validate .ko files in Python
def is_ko(file_path: str) -> bool:
"""Check if file is a valid KO by magic bytes."""
signature = bytes([0x7F, 0x45, 0x4C, 0x46])
with open(file_path, "rb") as f:
return f.read(4) == signatureHow to validate .ko files in Node.js
function isKO(buffer: Buffer): boolean {
const signature = Buffer.from([0x7F, 0x45, 0x4C, 0x46]);
return buffer.subarray(0, 4).equals(signature);
}How to validate .ko files in Go
func IsKO(data []byte) bool {
signature := []byte{0x7F, 0x45, 0x4C, 0x46}
if len(data) < 4 {
return false
}
return bytes.Equal(data[:4], signature)
}API Endpoint
/api/v1/ko
curl https://filesignature.org/api/v1/ko
See the full API documentation for all endpoints and parameters.
Related Formats
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a .ko file?
A .ko file is identified by the magic bytes 7F 45 4C 46 at byte offset 0. KO is a Linux kernel object module format used by the Linux kernel community for loadable kernel modules. It is used to extend the kernel at runtime with device drivers, filesystem support, and other kernel features. Because KO files run in kernel space, malformed or malicious modules can destabilize systems or compromise security, so they should only be loaded from trusted sources and are typically considered a system-level component.
What are the magic bytes for .ko files?
The magic bytes for KO files are 7F 45 4C 46 at byte offset 0. These bytes uniquely identify the file format regardless of the file extension.
How do I validate a .ko file?
To validate a .ko file, read the first bytes of the file and compare them against the known magic bytes (7F 45 4C 46) at offset 0. This is more reliable than checking the file extension alone, as extensions can be renamed.
What is the MIME type for .ko files?
There is no officially registered MIME type for .ko files. Systems typically use application/octet-stream as a generic fallback when handling this format.
Is it safe to open .ko files?
KO (.ko) files are generally safe to open. They are classified as low risk because they primarily contain data rather than executable code. However, always ensure files come from a trusted source.