How to verify network connectivity between Kali Linux and Metasploitable2 in a Cybersecurity lab

Introduction

In the realm of Cybersecurity, understanding network connectivity is crucial for effective security testing and analysis. This tutorial will guide you through the process of verifying the network connectivity between Kali Linux and Metasploitable2, two widely used tools in the Cybersecurity field.

Skills Graph

Setting Up the Cybersecurity Lab

To set up the cybersecurity lab, you will need to have the following software installed:

Kali Linux

Kali Linux is a popular Linux distribution used for penetration testing and ethical hacking. You can download Kali Linux from the official website (https://www.kali.org/downloads/) and install it on a virtual machine or a physical machine.

Metasploitable2

Metasploitable2 is a vulnerable Linux distribution that is commonly used for security testing and training. You can download Metasploitable2 from the Rapid7 website (https://information.rapid7.com/download-metasploitable-2.html) and set it up as a virtual machine.

Once you have both Kali Linux and Metasploitable2 set up, you can proceed to the next step of connecting them.

Connecting Kali Linux and Metasploitable2

To connect Kali Linux and Metasploitable2, you need to ensure that they are on the same network. You can achieve this by setting up a virtual network or by connecting them to the same physical network.

Virtual Network Setup

If you are running Kali Linux and Metasploitable2 as virtual machines, you can create a virtual network to connect them. Here's an example using VirtualBox:

1. Open VirtualBox and go to the "Network" tab.
2. Create a new host-only network adapter.
3. Assign the Kali Linux and Metasploitable2 virtual machines to the host-only network adapter.

Physical Network Setup

If you are running Kali Linux and Metasploitable2 on physical machines, you can connect them to the same physical network. Ensure that both machines are on the same subnet and have the necessary network configurations, such as IP addresses and network masks.

Once the network connection is established, you can proceed to the next step of verifying the connectivity between Kali Linux and Metasploitable2.

Verifying Network Connectivity

To verify the network connectivity between Kali Linux and Metasploitable2, you can use various network diagnostic tools.

Ping

The ping command is a simple and effective way to check if a remote host is reachable. Open a terminal on Kali Linux and run the following command to ping Metasploitable2:

ping <Metasploitable2_IP_Address>

If the connection is successful, you should see the response packets from Metasploitable2.

Nmap

Nmap (Network Mapper) is a powerful network scanning tool that can be used to gather information about the target system. You can use Nmap to perform a basic TCP/UDP port scan on Metasploitable2:

nmap <Metasploitable2_IP_Address>

The output will show the open ports and the services running on Metasploitable2.

Telnet

Telnet is a network protocol that can be used to connect to remote systems. You can use Telnet to connect to a specific port on Metasploitable2:

telnet <Metasploitable2_IP_Address> <Port_Number>

If the connection is successful, you should see the service banner or a response from the target system.

By using these tools, you can verify the network connectivity between Kali Linux and Metasploitable2, which is essential for further security testing and exploitation.

Summary

By following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you will learn how to set up a Cybersecurity lab, connect Kali Linux and Metasploitable2, and verify their network connectivity. This knowledge will empower you to conduct thorough security assessments and gain valuable insights into the Cybersecurity landscape.