Kali Linux: Features and Tools for Penetration Testing

Key Points

• The importance of vulnerability assessment in cybersecurity
• The role of Kali Linux in penetration testing
• Overview of the lecture structure:
  • Requirements and core features of Kali Linux
  • The five stages of penetration testing
  • Tools available on Kali Linux
  • Demonstration of basic commands and tools

Importance of Kali Linux in Cybersecurity

• Organizations handle large amounts of sensitive data
• Ethical hackers (white hat hackers) perform penetration tests to validate security
• Kali Linux includes 600+ pre-installed tools for penetration testing
• Emphasis on tool accuracy and time efficiency

Core Features and Offerings

• Origins from Debian: stable and dependable
• Enhanced security: default networking components disabled
• Multilingual support to cater to a diverse user base
• ARM support: useful for devices like Raspberry Pi

Phases of Penetration Testing

1. Reconnaissance Phase

• Collect information on the target
• Active and passive methods
• Tools used: Public domain information, various scanning tools

2. Scanning Phase

• Use scanner tools to gather more data
• Types of scanners: Port scanners, network mappers, vulnerability scanners

3. Gaining Access

• Establish a connection and exploit vulnerabilities
• Attack types: Buffer overflow, DOS, session hijacking

4. Maintaining Access

• Create backdoors to retain control

5. Covering Tracks

• Remove logs and footprints to hide intrusion

Notable Tools in Kali Linux

Nmap

• Port scanner for network discovery and security auditing
• Identifies hosts, services, OS versions, and more

Metasploit

• Opensource framework for probing systemic vulnerabilities
• Customizable scans for weak spots
• Can run root commands on compromised systems

Wireshark

• Network protocol analyzer for deep network inspection
• Cross-platform
• Used for real-time or offline network analysis, traffic monitoring

Aircrack-ng

• Wireless network security auditing tool
• Supports multiple Wi-Fi hacking methods

John the Ripper

• Password security auditing and recovery tool
• Supports various hash and cipher types

Demonstration: Practical Usage of Kali Linux

Basic Terminal Commands

• pwd - Present working directory
• mkdir - Make directory
• cd - Change directory
• ls - List directory contents
• cat - Concatenate and display file content
• cp - Copy files
• mv - Move files
• sudo - Run commands with superuser permissions
• ping - Check network connectivity
• history - Display command history

Configuring Proxy Chains

• Proxies hide original machine's identity
• Config file: /etc/proxychains4.conf
• nano editor for editing config file
• Types of proxy chains: Strict, Dynamic, Random
• sudo systemctl start tor to anonymize traffic
• Verify using myip.com

Network Scanning with Nmap

• Scans networks and identifies devices, ports, OS
• nmap -O [IP] for OS detection
• nmap -A -T4 [IP] for aggressive scan

Traffic Sniffing with Wireshark

• Captures network traffic data
• Demonstrates risks of non-HTTPS connections
• Use filters to analyze specific data

Using Metasploit

• msfconsole to start Metasploit
• Exploits for gaining and escalating access
• sysinfo for system information
• getsystem for privilege escalation

Conclusion

• Importance of regularly updating security
• Use of tools to validate and enhance security infrastructure

Questions and Comments

• Invitation for questions and comments on the lesson