What is Metasploit? The Beginner's Guide

Penetration testing allows you to answer the question, “How can someone with malicious intent mess with my network?” Using pen-testing tools, white hats and DevSec professionals are able to probe networks and applications for flaws and vulnerabilities at any point along the production and deployment process by hacking the system.

One such penetration testing aid is the Metasploit Project. This Ruby-based open-source framework allows testing via command line alterations or GUI. It can also be extended through coding to act as an add-on that supports multiple languages.

What is the Metasploit Framework and How is it Used?

The Metasploit framework is a very powerful tool which can be used by cybercriminals as well as ethical hackers to probe systematic vulnerabilities on networks and servers. Because it’s an open-source framework, it can be easily customized and used with most operating systems.

With Metasploit, the pen testing team can use ready-made or custom code and introduce it into a network to probe for weak spots. As another flavor of threat hunting, once flaws are identified and documented, the information can be used to address systemic weaknesses and prioritize solutions.

A Brief History of Metasploit

The Metasploit Project was undertaken in 2003 by H.D. Moore for use as a Perl-based portable network tool, with assistance from core developer Matt Miller. It was fully converted to Ruby by 2007, and the license was acquired by Rapid7 in 2009, where it remains as part of the Boston-based company’s repertoire of IDS signature development and targeted remote exploit, fuzzing, anti-forensic, and evasion tools.

Portions of these other tools reside within the Metasploit framework, which is built into the Kali Linux OS. Rapid7 has also developed two proprietary OpenCore tools, Metasploit Pro, Metasploit Express.

This framework has become the go-to exploit development and mitigation tool. Prior to Metasploit, pen testers had to perform all probes manually by using a variety of tools that may or may not have supported the platform they were testing, writing their own code by hand, and introducing it onto networks manually. Remote testing was virtually unheard of, and that limited a security specialist’s reach to the local area and companies spending a fortune on in-house IT or security consultants.

Who Uses Metasploit?

Due to its wide range of applications and open-source availability, Metasploit is used by everyone from the evolving field of DevSecOps pros to hackers. It’s helpful to anyone who needs an easy to install, reliable tool that gets the job done regardless of which platform or language is used. The software is popular with hackers and widely available, which reinforces the need for security professionals to become familiar with the framework even if they don’t use it.

Metasploit now includes more than 1677 exploits organized over 25 platforms, including Android, PHP, Python, Java, Cisco, and more. The framework also carries nearly 500 payloads, some of which include:

• Command shell payloads that enable users to run scripts or random commands against a host
• Dynamic payloads that allow testers to generate unique payloads to evade antivirus software
• Meterpreter payloads that allow users to commandeer device monitors using VMC and to take over sessions or upload and download files
• Static payloads that enable port forwarding and communications between networks

Metasploit Uses and Benefits

All you need to use Metasploit once it’s installed is to obtain information about the target either through port scanning, OS fingerprinting or using a vulnerability scanner to find a way into the network. Then, it’s just a simple matter of selecting an exploit and your payload. In this context, an exploit is a means of identifying a weakness in your choice of increasingly harder to defend networks or system and taking advantage of that flaw to gain entry.

The framework is constructed of various models and interfaces, which include msfconsole interactive curses, msfcli to alls msf functions from the terminal/cmd, the Armitag graphical Java tool that’s used to integrate with MSF, and the Metasploit Community Web Interface that supports remote pen testing.

White hat testers trying to locate or learn from black hats and hackers should be aware that they don’t typically roll out an announcement that they’re Metasploiting. This secretive bunch likes to operate through virtual private network tunnels to mask their IP address, and many use a dedicated VPS as well to avoid interruptions that commonly plague many shared hosting providers. These two privacy tools are also a good idea for white hats who intend to step into the world of exploits and pen testing with Metasploit.

As mentioned above, Metasploit provides you with exploits, payloads, auxiliary functions, encoders, listeners, shellcode, post-exploitation code and nops.

You can obtain a Metasploit Pro Specialist Certification online to become a credentialed pen-tester. The passing score to obtain the certification is 80 percent, and the open book exam takes about two hours. It costs $195, and you can print your certificate out once you’re approved.

Prior to the exam, it’s recommended that you take the Metasploit training course and have proficiency or working knowledge:

• Windows and Linux OS
• Network protocols
• Vulnerability management systems
• Basic pen testing concepts

Obtaining this credential is a desirable achievement for anyone who wants to become a marketable pen-tester or security analyst.

How to Get Metasploit

Metasploit is available through open-source installers directly from the Rapid7 website. In addition to the latest version of the Chrome, Firefox, or Explorer browsers, the minimum system requirements are:

Operating Systems:

• Ubuntu Linux 14.04 or 16.04 LTS (recommended)
• Windows Server 2008 or 2012 R2
• Windows 7 SP1+, 8.1, or 10
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server 5.10, 6.5, 7.1, or later

Hardware:

• 2 GHz+ processor
• Minimum 4 GB RAM, but 8 GB is recommended
• Minimum 1 GB disk space, but 50 GB is recommended

You’ll have to disable any antivirus software and firewalls installed on your device before you begin, and get administrative privileges. The installer is a self-contained unit that’s configured for you when you install the framework. You also have the option of manual installation if you want to configure custom dependencies. Users with the Kali Linux version already have the Metasploit Pro version pre-bundled with their OS. Windows users will go through the install shield wizard.

After installation, upon startup, you’ll be faced with these choices:

• Creating database at /Users/joesmith/.msf4/db
• Starting Postgresql
• Creating database users
• Creating an initial database schema

Learning How to Use Metasploit: Tutorial + Tips

The ease of learning to use Metasploit depends on your knowledge of Ruby. However, if you have a familiarity with other scripting and programming languages like Python, making the jump to working with Metasploit shouldn’t be too difficult to get up to speed. Otherwise, it’s an intuitive language that’s easy to learn with practice.

Because this tool requires you to disable your own systematic protections and enables the generation of malicious code, you should be aware of the potential risks involved. If possible, keep this utility installed on a separate system than your personal device or any computer that contains potentially sensitive information or access to such information. You should use a dedicated work device when pen-testing with Metasploit.

Reasons to Learn Metasploit

This framework bundle is a must-have for anyone who is a security analyst or pen-tester. It’s an essential tool for discovering hidden vulnerabilities using a variety of tools and utilities. Metasploit allows you to enter the mind of a hacker and use the same methods for probing and infiltrating networks and servers.

Here’s a diagram of a typical Metasploit architecture:

Metasploit Step-by-Step

We’ll begin a brief tutorial of an easy exploit by assuming that you have the basic system and OS requirements. In order to set up a testing environment, you’re going to need to download and install Virtualbox, Kali, and Metasploitable to create a virtualized hacking machine. You can download and install Windows XP or above in order to create a third virtual machine for this exploit.

Once you have your testing tools installed, you’ll want to open your Metasploit console. It will look like this:

One shortcut is to type “help” into the console, which will bring up a list of Metasploit commands and their descriptions. It should look like this:

A powerful and useful tool, to begin with, is the Armitage GUI, which allows you to visualize targets and recommend the best exploits to access them. This tool also shows advanced post-exploit functions for deeper penetration and further testing. To select it from the console, go to Applications – Exploit Tools – Armitage.

Once you’ve got the form field on your screen, enter the host, port number, user ID, and password. Type ‘enter’ after all fields are completed and you’ll be ready to initiate your exploit.

Resources to Learn Metasploit

One great thing about the open-source community is the commitment to resource pooling and information sharing. It’s the modern embodiment of why the internet was created in the first place. It enables borderless collaboration and promotes flexibility.

To that end, we offer a list of resources that will allow you to realize the full extent of Matspoit’s promise.

One of the best resources, and the first place you should visit, is Metasploit’s own extensive knowledge base. There, you’ll find quick start guides, metamodules, exploits, and vulnerability identification and fixes. You can also learn about different types of credentials and how to obtain them.

Another helpful resource is the Varonis Cyber Workshop. It offers a range of tutorials and sessions with security industry experts.

Penetration testing is essential for rooting out vulnerabilities and preventing networks from exploits and hacks. By working with a data-driven and results-oriented cybersecurity company like Varonis and employing a framework like Metasploit, you’ll have an edge when it comes to protecting your networks.