How to conduct a basic vulnerability scan on Metasploitable2 in Kali Linux

Introduction

This Cybersecurity tutorial will guide you through the process of conducting a basic vulnerability scan on the Metasploitable2 virtual machine using the Kali Linux operating system. By the end of this tutorial, you will have a solid understanding of the vulnerability scanning process and how to identify potential security weaknesses in a controlled environment.

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Understanding Vulnerability Scanning

Vulnerability scanning is a crucial process in the field of cybersecurity, which involves systematically identifying and analyzing potential weaknesses or vulnerabilities in a computer system or network. This process helps organizations to proactively address security issues and reduce the risk of successful cyber attacks.

What is Vulnerability Scanning?

Vulnerability scanning is the act of using specialized software tools to scan a target system or network for known vulnerabilities. These tools analyze the target environment and provide a detailed report of the identified vulnerabilities, including their severity, potential impact, and recommended remediation steps.

Importance of Vulnerability Scanning

Vulnerability scanning is essential for maintaining the security and integrity of computer systems and networks. It helps organizations to:

• Identify and address security weaknesses before they can be exploited by attackers
• Comply with industry regulations and standards, such as PCI DSS, HIPAA, and NIST
• Reduce the risk of data breaches, system compromises, and other security incidents
• Prioritize and address the most critical vulnerabilities to improve overall security posture

Types of Vulnerability Scans

There are several types of vulnerability scans, including:

• Network-based scans: Scan a network or range of IP addresses to identify vulnerabilities in network devices, servers, and other connected systems.
• Host-based scans: Scan individual hosts or systems to identify vulnerabilities within the operating system, installed software, and configurations.
• Web application scans: Scan web-based applications to identify vulnerabilities in the application code, web server configurations, and related components.

Vulnerability Scanning Tools

There are various vulnerability scanning tools available, both commercial and open-source. Some popular tools include:

• Nessus
• OpenVAS
• Nexpose
• Burp Suite
• OWASP ZAP

In this tutorial, we will focus on using the Metasploit framework, which is a powerful open-source tool for vulnerability scanning and exploitation.

Setting up the Kali Linux and Metasploitable2 Environment

To conduct a vulnerability scan, you will need to set up two virtual machines: Kali Linux and Metasploitable2.

Kali Linux

Kali Linux is a popular penetration testing and security auditing distribution based on Debian Linux. It comes pre-installed with a wide range of security tools, including the Metasploit framework, which we will use for our vulnerability scan.

You can download Kali Linux from the official website (https://www.kali.org/downloads/) and install it on a virtual machine or physical machine.

Metasploitable2

Metasploitable2 is a deliberately vulnerable Linux distribution created by Rapid7 for the purpose of security testing and education. It contains various vulnerabilities that can be exploited using tools like Metasploit.

You can download Metasploitable2 from the Rapid7 website (https://information.rapid7.com/download-metasploitable-2.html) and set it up as a virtual machine.

Setting up the Virtual Machines

1. Install Kali Linux and Metasploitable2 on separate virtual machines, ensuring that they are on the same network and can communicate with each other.
2. Make sure the Kali Linux virtual machine has access to the internet, as it will need to download updates and access online resources during the vulnerability scan.
3. Ensure that the Metasploitable2 virtual machine is not connected to the internet, as it is a vulnerable system and should be isolated from the public network.

By setting up these two virtual machines, you will have the necessary environment to conduct a basic vulnerability scan on Metasploitable2 using the Kali Linux distribution.

Performing a Basic Vulnerability Scan

Now that you have set up the Kali Linux and Metasploitable2 environment, you can proceed to perform a basic vulnerability scan on the Metasploitable2 system.

Using the Metasploit Framework

The Metasploit framework is a powerful tool that can be used for a variety of security tasks, including vulnerability scanning and exploitation. In this tutorial, we will use Metasploit to conduct a basic vulnerability scan on the Metasploitable2 system.

Step 1: Start the Metasploit Console

Open the terminal in your Kali Linux virtual machine and start the Metasploit console by running the following command:

msfconsole

Step 2: Scan the Metasploitable2 System

To scan the Metasploitable2 system, use the following Metasploit command:

use auxiliary/scanner/portscan/tcp
set RHOSTS 192.168.1.101
run

Replace 192.168.1.101 with the IP address of your Metasploitable2 virtual machine.

This command will perform a basic TCP port scan on the Metasploitable2 system and display the open ports and associated services.

Step 3: Analyze the Scan Results

Examine the scan results to identify potential vulnerabilities in the Metasploitable2 system. Look for open ports, running services, and any known vulnerabilities associated with those services.

You can use the following Metasploit command to search for known exploits related to the identified vulnerabilities:

search type:exploit platform:linux

This will display a list of available exploits that you can use to further investigate and potentially exploit the vulnerabilities in the Metasploitable2 system.

By following these steps, you have performed a basic vulnerability scan on the Metasploitable2 system using the Metasploit framework. This process can be expanded and customized to conduct more comprehensive security assessments on target systems.

Summary

In this Cybersecurity tutorial, you will learn how to set up the Kali Linux and Metasploitable2 environment, and then perform a basic vulnerability scan to uncover potential security vulnerabilities. This hands-on experience will provide you with valuable insights into the world of Cybersecurity and help you develop essential skills for securing your systems and networks.