grep: /opt/var/log/dnsmasq.log: binary file matches

[ColinJOnes]

Hi, I am trying to use the autoscan.sh script that comes x3mrouting and am getting an error. This is the command I am running but it doesn't work (It doesn't work when I search for anything).

./autoscan.sh autoscan=netflix

I do have these lines in the dnsmasq.conf.add file and the dnsmasq.log file does exists and it contains data

log-async
log-queries
log-facility=/opt/var/log/dnsmasq.log

If I run

cat /opt/var/log/dnsmasq.log |grep netflix --binary-files=text

I get lots of results back.

This used to work previously but recently started throwing up the error and was wondering if anybody had any ideas.

grep: /opt/var/log/dnsmasq.log: binary file matches


IPSET Format
-------------------------------------


grep: /opt/var/log/dnsmasq.log: binary file matches


FQDN Format
-------------------------------------

Thank you in advance.

 

[thelonelycoder]

Either clear the log file or search for binary character(s) in the file and remove it/them.

 

[ColinJOnes]

I posted as I didn't know how to clear the log file without deleting it and unfortunately I don’t know how to search for binary characters or even know what they are.

thanks for you help though. I resolved by stoping the service, deleting file and starting service again

 

[thelonelycoder]

Next time it happens, try this to keep the existing dnsmasq log file.
You'll need Entware grep installed which Diversion and maybe other scripts install by default.
If /opt/bin/grep is missing install it with

opkg install grep

Check if the log file contains NULL characters:

/opt/bin/grep -Pa '\x00' /opt/var/log/dnsmasq.log

If any are found, then you may remove them using:

tr < /opt/var/log/dnsmasq.log -d '\x00' > /opt/var/log/dnsmasq_cleared.log

Check if those pesky characters are gone in the temp file:

/opt/bin/grep -Pa '\x00' /opt/var/log/dnsmasq_cleared.log

If so, move it and restart Dnsmasq:

mv -f /opt/var/log/dnsmasq_cleared.log /opt/var/log/dnsmasq.log
service restart_dnsmasq