Understanding Meterpreter networking commands

Meterpreter provides us with some useful networking commands as well. These commands can be useful in understanding the network structure of the target user. We can analyze whether the system belongs to a LAN or if it is a standalone system. We can also find out the IP range, DNS, and other information. Such network information can be useful when we have to perform pivoting. Pivoting is a concept by which we can compromise other machines on the same network in which our target is present. We will also understand pivoting, where we will focus on the advanced use of Meterpreter.

Getting ready

Before we get into the recipe, there are three networking terms that we will encounter here. So, let's give our memory a quick brush over by looking at the following terms:

• Subnetwork or subnet is the concept of dividing a large network into smaller, identifiable parts. Subnetting is done to increase the address utility and security.
• A netmask is a 32-bit mask...