In this lesson,
we're going to cover the attack and exploits phase
of a PenTest.
This phase is where you actively try
to exploit the vulnerabilities
you identified during the information gathering phase.
The goal here is to see how far you can get
into the target system,
understand the potential impact,
and gather evidence for your report.
To start, it's important to prioritize
your targets based
on the information you've collected.
Focus on high-value assets
and the most critical vulnerabilities.
For example, if you found an outdated web server
with known exploits, that would be a prime target.
One common method in this phase
is using automated tools like Metasploit.
Metasploit is a powerful framework
that allows you to develop
and execute exploit code
against a remote target machine.
For instance,
if you're targeting a web server running
an old version of Apache,
Metasploit might have a ready-made exploit
that you can use to gain access.
Another technique is password attacks.
These include methods like brute force attacks
where you systematically
try every possible password combination
and dictionary attacks
where you use a list of common passwords.
Tools like Hydra or John the Ripper
can help you automate these attacks.
For example, if you have a list of usernames
from your reconnaissance phase,
you can use these tools to attempt
to crack their password.
Phishing is another effective attack method.
This involves sending emails that appear to come
from a trusted source to trick the target
into providing sensitive information
or clicking on a malicious link.
For instance, you might create a fake login page
for the company's email system
and send an email asking employees to log in due
to a security update.
Once they enter their credentials, you capture them.
During this phase,
it's also important to use web application attacks
if your target is a web-based system.
SQL injection is a common attack
where you insert malicious SQL statements
into an input field
to execute arbitrary commands on the database.
Tools like SQL Map can automate this process.
For example, if a login form is vulnerable,
you might be able to retrieve usernames
and passwords from the database.
Cross-site scripting or XSS
is another web application attack
where you inject malicious scripts into webpages
viewed by other users.
This can be used to steal cookies, session tokens,
and other sensitive information.
For instance, if you find an XSS vulnerability
on a company's forum,
you can inject a script that captures
the session cookies of anyone who views the posts.
As you conduct these attacks,
it's essential to document everything carefully.
This includes the methods you used,
the systems you targeted,
and the results of your attempts.
Proper documentation
not only helps you create a detailed report,
but also ensures
that you can repeat the process if needed.
So, remember, during the attack
and exploitation phase,
prioritize high-value targets
and use tools like Metasploit, Hydra,
and SQL Map to exploit identified vulnerabilities.
Techniques such as brute force attacks,
phishing, SQL injection, and cross-site scripting
can help you to gain access
and understand the potential impact.
Always document your activities meticulously
to support your findings and recommendations.