Troubleshooting VirtualBox Guest Additions on Kali Linux

If you’re having trouble with VirtualBox Guest Additions on a Kali Linux virtual machine, there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve the issue. Here’s a detailed guide to help you get it working:

Step 1: Update your system

First, ensure that your Kali Linux system is up to date.

sudo apt update -y
sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 2: Install required packages

Make sure you have the necessary packages installed.

sudo apt install -y build-essential dkms linux-headers-$(uname -r)

Step 3: Install VirtualBox Guest Additions

1. Insert the Guest Additions CD image:
   • Start your Kali Linux VM.
   • In the VirtualBox menu, go to Devices > Insert Guest Additions CD image….
2. Mount the CD image:
   • Open a terminal in your Kali Linux VM.
   • Create a mount point and mount the CD image.

    sudo mkdir /mnt/cdrom
    sudo mount /dev/cdrom /mnt/cdrom
   

3. Run the installer:
   • Navigate to the mounted directory and run the installer.

    cd /mnt/cdrom
    sudo sh VBoxLinuxAdditions.run
   

4. Reboot the VM:
   • After the installation completes, reboot your VM.

    sudo reboot
   

Step 4: Verify installation

After rebooting, verify that the Guest Additions are working correctly.

1. Check the version:
   • Open a terminal and check the version of the Guest Additions.

    VBoxControl --version
   

2. Check shared clipboard and drag-and-drop:
   • Test the shared clipboard and drag-and-drop features to ensure they are working.