Metasploit – Overview, Tools, Modules, and Benefits

Introduction

Metasploit is a powerful cybersecurity tool that is designed to probe vulnerabilities on servers and networks. Based on an open-source framework, the tool can be used and customised with the operating system. The penetration testing team can utilise custom code with Metasploit to detect security gaps or vulnerabilities and document them. This way, it becomes easier for security engineers to fix the security vulnerabilities beforehand prior to any unwanted cyber attacks to the network.

Overview of Metasploit

Metasploit framework is used by penetration testers to exploit code and address security flaws before it’s too late. The specific goals of shellcode include adding rootkit and reversing telnet to the attacker machine. Metasploit further provides a payload database as it assists the pentester to discover codes and execute exploitation goals.

Tools included in Metasploit framework

Metasploit houses a bunch of highly efficient cybersecurity tools:

Armitage

It is a Java based GUI that aids pentesters to suggest exploits and experience easy visualisation of targets. The cyber security tool can be customised which allows users to automate redundancy of tasks, for example, in discovering hosts. It is an ideal tool that facilitates the escalation of privileges, dumping of hashed passwords. and browsing files.


MSFconsole

It is a default interface in Metasploit toolkit that includes the commands essential for interacting with tab-completion and framework for the commonly used commands. The tool is easy to use once you understand the usability of the command line interface (CLI).


Msfdb

It is a tool for database management in PostgreSQL. Msfdb enables scanning from external tools such as Nmap or Nessus. Apart from that, it provides the command list that an expert can use for import and export of the scan results.


MsfVenom

The tools support generation of customised payloads for a particular target. It is generated to combine the other two tools of msfpayload and msfencode. It can also help to surpass security measures of the target that is protected by antivirus. Besides, pentesters deploy MsfVenom for payload customisation to elevate the success rate of pentesting projects.


Meterpreter

It is an advanced Metasploit payload that helps to perform some of the definite functions in a dynamic approach. Security engineers are able to install the Meterpreter payload after successful exploitation.

Modules Available in Metasploit

Metasploit provides a wide range of modules to cybersecurity professionals:

• Payloads: Setting the malicious code
• Encoders: It is used for converting information or code
• Listeners: Malicious software that camouflages for obtaining access
• Exploits: Tools that are used to gain benefit from system limitations or loopholes
• Auxiliary Functions: Supplementary commands and tools
• Shellcode: Code that can be configured to get activated once it enters the target
• Nops: A mandate for protecting payload by crashing
• Codes Post-Exploitation: Supports in-depth penetration testing projects once it is inside the connected and target system. For instance, hash dump, network, and application enumerators.

How does it work?

Here is a step-by-step guide on deploying Metasploit for a pentesting project:

• Pentesting with Metasploit begins with Information Gathering where the tool collaborates with other cybersecurity tools like SNMP, Nmap, Nessus, and so on
• The tools work to find network vulnerabilities
• Once the security gaps are diagnosed, the pentester selects an exploit as well as payload to execute the pentesting project
• Once the exploit meets success, the payload is executed towards the target. Thereafter, the user receives a shell for interacting with payload

Top Metasploit commands

Some of the commonly-used commands in Metasploit are:

• show exploits: illustrates different exploits
• use [name of exploit]: instruct msfconsole in entering specific exploit environment
• help: illustrate available command of msfconsole
• info: shows description of exploit
• set TARGET: command to choose OS and target application
• set LHOST: allows setting of IP address to carry out reverse communication
• exit: permits exit from console of Metasploit
• back: command supports exiting from the editing platform of the exploit so that one can go back to the primary prompt of msfconsole.
• set RHOST: allows setting IP address off target host.
• show payloads: permit in setting options of payloads and to spawn command shells.
• show targets: shows OS and target applications that can be easily exploited.
• set PAYLOAD: command permit in setting payload for exploits.
• show payloads: illustrates running of payload options on exploited systems.

Benefits of using Metasploit

Metasploit extends a jolly good bunch of advantages:

Open source environment: Metasploit is an open-source and actively designed framework that is easy to use by cybersecurity experts. It permits pen testers to add customised modules as well as the ability to access the code. To start with, you can sign up for the free community edition. However, Metasploit also carries a pro version (chargeable) that allows users to access upgraded features.
GUI environment: Metasploit tools usually carry a user-friendly GUI (graphical user interface) such as Armitage. A simplified interface plays a key role in making a pentesting project easier, faster, and more efficient.
Testing large networks: The tool comes handy in testing large networks. Thus, Metapsloit can be used to summarising the command name convention. Some of the parameters include subnet and Classless Inter-Domain Routine which can be tested in all the systems to carry out susceptibility exploitation.
Clean exits: Metasploit facilitates clean exits from systems. It also provides an important factor to consider when the service does not reboots immediately. It also provides post-exploitation functions such as persistence that help in maintaining permanent access to the server.

Popular competitors of Metasploit

Some of the popular competitors that are used as an alternative to Metasploit:

• Acunetix
• Core
• SQLmap
• Core impact
• Invicti

Conclusion

Metasploit is one of the most popular cyber security tools to protect vulnerable systems. However, it is advised that one must seek the prior permission of the client before using Metasploit on the latter’s network system.
At DataSpace Academy, our cybersecurity certification course provides you with both theoretical and hands-on training on using Metasploit for pentesting projects.