I need some more help/information for analyzing the "magic" number and what it does, in detail. (The number given in the header by using the 'readelf' command) I found from the man pages and header files what the numbers stand for and represent but I want to know more like how that number is used, when it is used or parsed to identify what file it is. Other things like where in a file is it located and the like. I just need to analyze it but I can't find any other information other than what it represents. Any information or links to websites with further information is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

If u want to get information on elf binary structure get the elf file format in net.
One good link [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executa...nkable_Format]
Get the spec sheet and it`ll have evrythin about an elf binary.

If u want to know the magic number of all files check the 'file' command rather than readelf.
It uses the file /usr/share/magic [in most distros] to get the file`s magic number and identifies the file.
Magic numbers are just the first few bytes [most of the times] to identify what the file and which application has to used on that file.