Metasploit Framework and Payloads supported
- 1. Metasploit Framework • The Metasploit Framework is an open-source penetration testing and exploitation tool used for assessing the security of computer systems and networks. • It was developed by Rapid7 and is widely used by cybersecurity professionals, ethical hackers, and researchers. • Metasploit provides a wide range of tools and modules for various tasks related to penetration testing and vulnerability assessment.
- 2. Metasploit Components • Exploits: Metasploit contains a vast collection of exploits for known vulnerabilities in various software and systems. These exploits are used to gain unauthorized access to vulnerable systems. It's essential for both offensive and defensive security testing. • Payloads: Payloads are used to deliver malicious code to the target system once an exploit is successful. Metasploit offers a variety of payloads, including reverse shells, meterpreter sessions, and more.
- 3. Metasploit Components • Auxiliary Modules: These modules provide additional functionalities that are often used in the pre-exploitation phase. They can be used for tasks like information gathering, scanning, and brute-forcing. • Post-Exploitation Modules: Once a system is compromised, post-exploitation modules are used to gather further information, maintain access, and perform lateral movement within the target network. • Encoders: Encoders are used to obfuscate payloads to evade intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS). They transform the payload into a different format that can be decoded by the target system.
- 4. Metasploit Components • Nop Modules: Nop, short for "no operation," is used to pad payloads to ensure that they have the desired size. This can be useful in evading security mechanisms that look for specific payload sizes. • Meterpreter: Meterpreter is a powerful, extensible payload that provides a wide range of post-exploitation capabilities. It allows for file manipulation, privilege escalation, pivoting, and more. • Exploit Development: Metasploit can also be used as a platform for exploit development and testing. Researchers and security professionals can create and test their exploits within the framework.
- 5. Metasploit Components • Integration: Metasploit can be integrated with other tools and frameworks, making it a versatile choice for penetration testers. It has integration with various vulnerability scanners and reporting tools. • Community and Commercial Versions: There are both free, open-source versions of Metasploit as well as commercial versions with additional features and support. The community edition is known as Metasploit Framework, while the commercial versions are known as Metasploit Pro and Metasploit Express.
- 6. Metasploit Advanced Environment configurations • Database Configuration: Metasploit uses a database to store information about targets, vulnerabilities, and scan results. Configure the database settings by running msfdb init to initialize and set up the database. • Resource Scripting: Create resource scripts (.rc files) to automate repetitive tasks. These scripts can include Metasploit commands and options. Users can run these scripts using the resource command within Metasploit.
- 7. Metasploit Advanced Environment configurations • Workspace Management: Workspaces help organize your data and results. Use the workspace command to create, switch between, and manage different workspaces, especially when working on multiple projects simultaneously. • Logging and Output: Customize logging and output settings for better record-keeping and reporting. Use the spool and tee commands to save console output to a file. Adjust log levels for increased verbosity during testing.
- 8. Metasploit Advanced Environment configurations • Custom Modules: On creating custom modules, consider configuring Metasploit to load them automatically. Place the custom modules in the appropriate directories, and set the LOAD_PATH variable in the msfconsole profile to include in custom module path. • Resource Files: Customize Metasploit's behavior by creating a .msf4/msfconsole.rc file in your home directory. This file can contain startup commands, aliases, and other configurations user want to apply every time on launch msfconsole.
- 9. Metasploit Advanced Environment configurations • Plugin Management: Metasploit supports plugins, and you can install third-party plugins or create your own. Use the load and unload commands to manage plugins. • Tunnels and Proxies: Configure tunnels and proxies as needed, especially when conducting pivoting or relaying traffic through compromised hosts. Metasploit provides modules for setting up SOCKS and HTTP proxies.
- 10. Metasploit Advanced Environment configurations • Resource Files for Automation: For automated penetration tests, you can create resource files that automate the entire test. These files can load modules, set options, exploit targets, and run post-exploitation tasks. • Collaboration: If working in a team, consider setting up Metasploit to work in a collaborative environment, where multiple testers can access and share results in a centralized database.
- 11. Metasploit Advanced Environment configurations • Batch Mode and Headless Operation: Can run Metasploit in batch mode for automated tasks or without the console interface. This is useful for scripting and headless operation. • Customizing Exploits and Payloads: Customize existing exploits and payloads to better suit your specific needs. Can modify module options or create own modules. • Metasploit Pro and Commercial Features: If using Metasploit Pro or other commercial versions, take full advantage of their features, such as vulnerability scanning, reporting, and integration with other security tools.
- 12. Metasploit Advanced Environment configurations • Performance Tuning: Depending on the environment and system resources, may need to tune Metasploit for better performance. This can include adjusting memory allocation, the number of concurrent threads, and timeouts. • Security Precautions: Implement appropriate security measures to protect your Metasploit instance from unauthorized access. This includes firewall rules and user access controls.
- 13. Metasploit Soft Architecture • Module System: Metasploit's core is based on a module system. Modules are individual components that can perform various tasks, such as scanning, exploiting vulnerabilities, and post-exploitation activities. There are different types of modules, including exploits, payloads, auxiliary modules, and post-exploitation modules. Modules are organized by category and can be loaded and executed on demand.
- 14. Metasploit Soft Architecture • Database: Metasploit uses a database to store information related to targets, vulnerabilities, scans, and session data. The database allows users to track their progress, generate reports, and manage data efficiently. The database also supports workspaces, which help organize data for different projects or engagements.
- 15. Metasploit Soft Architecture • Payloads: Payloads are small pieces of code that are delivered to a target system after a successful exploit. Metasploit provides a wide range of payloads, including reverse shells, Meterpreter sessions, and other post-exploitation capabilities. • Exploits: Exploits are modules that take advantage of vulnerabilities in target systems. Metasploit contains a vast collection of exploits that can be used to gain unauthorized access to vulnerable systems.
- 16. Metasploit Soft Architecture • Auxiliary Modules: Auxiliary modules perform tasks related to information gathering, scanning, and other pre-exploitation activities. These modules can be used to collect data about target systems and identify potential vulnerabilities. • Post-Exploitation Modules: Post-exploitation modules are used after a successful compromise to perform tasks such as privilege escalation, data collection, lateral movement within a network, and maintaining access to the target system.
- 17. Metasploit Soft Architecture • Payload Encoders: Encoders are used to obfuscate payloads, making it more difficult for intrusion detection and prevention systems to detect them. Encoders transform payloads into different formats that can be decoded by the target system. • Framework API: Metasploit offers a rich API that allows users to interact with the framework programmatically. This enables automation, scripting, and integration with other tools and workflows.
- 18. Metasploit Soft Architecture • User Interface: Metasploit provides both a command-line interface (msfconsole) and a graphical user interface (Armitage, which has been integrated into the newer Metasploit Pro). These interfaces allow users to interact with the framework and execute various tasks • Payload Stagers and Stages: For efficient payload delivery, Metasploit uses a staged approach, which involves using small, lightweight "stagers" to establish an initial connection to the target system. Once this connection is established, a "stage" containing the full payload is delivered.
- 19. Metasploit Soft Architecture • Plugins: Metasploit supports plugins, which allow users to extend its functionality and integrate additional features and tools into the framework. • Collaboration Features: In a team environment, Metasploit can be configured to support collaboration by allowing multiple users to access a centralized database and share results and data.
- 20. Metasploit Payloads • Payloads in Metasploit are essentially code that gets executed on a target system once a vulnerability is successfully exploited. • These payloads are used to gain control over the compromised system, extract information, or perform other actions as required for the penetration testing or security assessment. • Metasploit provides a variety of payloads, each with specific features and capabilities.
- 21. • Meterpreter Payloads: Meterpreter is one of the most powerful and versatile payloads in Metasploit. It provides a wide range of post-exploitation capabilities, such as file system manipulation, network exploration, privilege escalation, and more. Meterpreter payloads can be used on Windows, Linux, and other systems.
- 22. Meterpreter Reverse TCP: This payload establishes a reverse TCP connection with the target, allowing the attacker to execute various commands and functions on the compromised system. Meterpreter Reverse HTTP/HTTPS: Similar to Reverse TCP, but it tunnels the connection through HTTP or HTTPS, making it harder to detect. Meterpreter Reverse DNS: It establishes a reverse connection using DNS packets, which can be useful for bypassing certain firewall rules.
- 23. • DynDNS Payloads: These payloads use dynamic DNS services to maintain a connection with the target, which can help evade detection. • Reflective DLL Injection Payloads: These payloads inject malicious code into a legitimate running process without writing any data to disk. This makes them stealthier and harder to detect. Examples include “windows/loadlibrary” & “windows/exec”.
- 24. • Web Delivery Payloads: These payloads use dynamic DNS services to maintain a connection with the target, which can help evade detection. Examples include ‘windows/meterpreter/reverse_https’ and ‘windows/meterpreter/reverse_tcp’ • Scripting Payloads: You can use scripting payloads to execute scripts on the target system. Examples include “windows/shell/reverse_tcp_dns” uses a PowerShell script for remote code execution.
- 25. • Droppers: These are payloads that can be used to drop additional malware onto the compromised system. Examples include ‘windows/meterpreter/rev_http’ and ‘windows/meterpreter/reverse_tcp’ • Evasion Payloads: These payloads are designed to bypass various security mechanisms, such as antivirus software and intrusion detection systems. They often employ obfuscation techniques to make the payload less detectable.