Other Tools

Question 1

During a penetration testing engagement, you are required to perform credential testing against a secure shell (SSH) service known to be running on the target machine with the IP address 192.168.1.50. Based on the client’s information, username enumeration is not a concern, and you have been provided a list of potential usernames and a common password to test. Which command should you use to perform this task efficiently using Hydra?

• -U /path/to/userlist.txt -password password ssh://192.168.1.50
• -L /path/to/userlist.txt -p password ssh://192.168.1.50
• -l user -P /path/to/common-password.txt ssh://192.168.1.50
• -C /path/to/creds.txt ssh://192.168.1.50

Answer 1

-L /path/to/userlist.txt -p password ssh://192.168.1.50

The correct answer is -L /path/to/userlist.txt -p password ssh://192.168.1.50. In Hydra, the -L flag is used to specify the file containing a list of usernames, the -p flag indicates the use of a single password to try across all the usernames, and specifying ssh:// followed by the IP address indicates the protocol and target for the attack. Incorrect answers either misuse Hydra flags or incorrectly format the command, which would result in failed attempts or incorrect syntax.

Question 2

In the Hydra tool, what is the hydra -l argument for?

Answer 2

-l option is to specify username

Question 3

In the Hydra tool, what is the hydra -p argument for?

Answer 3

-p option is to specify a password list

Question 4

In the Hydra tool, what is the hydra -t argument for?

Answer 4

The -t option in specifies the number of threads. This determines how many simultaneous connections Hydra will use during the attack. Increasing the number of threads can speed up the process but may also generate noticeable network activity and potentially trigger detection mechanism

Question 5

What is an example of a Hydra command?

Answer 5

hydra -l admin -P /usr/share/wordlists/rockyou.txt 192.168.1.1 ssh

Question 6

What is Hydra?

Answer 6

Hydra is a password-cracking tool used for brute-force attacks against a wide range of protocols and services. It allows penetration testers to test the strength of passwords for systems such as SSH, FTP, HTTP, and others by systematically attempting combinations of usernames and passwords from specified lists​.

Question 7

net view /domain

Answer 7

Lists hosts in the current domain or a specified domain.

Question 8

net user /domain

Answer 8

Lists users in the domain.

Question 9

net accounts /domain

Answer 9

Shows domain password policy

Question 10

net group /domain

Answer 10

Lists groups in the domain

Question 11

net group “Domain Admins” /domain

Answer 11

Displays users in the “Domain Admins” group.

Question 12

net share

Answer 12

Displays current SMB shares

Question 13

net session

Answer 13

Reviews active SMB sessions

Question 14

net share [name] c:\directory /GRANT:Everyone,FULL

Answer 14

Grants full access to a folder for all users (customizable by permissions)

Question 15

net localgroup

Answer 15

Displays local groups on a system

Question 16

net localgroup [groupname]

Answer 16

Shows members of a specific local group

Question 17

net use

Answer 17

Connects or disconnects from a shared resource like an SMB share

Question 18

net use \[hostname][sharename] /user:[username] [password]

Answer 18

Connects to a shared resource using specified credentials

Question 19

net statistics

Answer 19

Displays statistics for the Workstation or Server service.

Question 20

net

Answer 20

Windows utility used for managing and querying network resources, it helps gather information about network structure, accounts, and services. This command is essential for network and system enumeration during penetration tests

Info it can find:
* domains
* user accounts
* groups
* shared resources (e.g.: SMB)

It supports operations:
* viewing or modifying domain configurations
* enumerating users or groups
* connecting to shared drives.

Question 21

Medusa

Answer 21

Medusa is a brute-force login attack tool similar to Hydra. It supports a variety of protocols and services, with some specific improved features over Hydra. It is generally used in scenarios where Hydra would also be applicable but may not fully meet the requirements of the attack

Question 22

Censys

Answer 22

Censys is a security-oriented search engine, similar to Shodan, that probes IP addresses across the Internet and provides penetration testers with access to detailed host information. It offers GeoIP data, a summary of exposed services, and highly detailed drill-down links for passive information gathering​​.

Question 23

theHarvestor

Answer 23

TheHarvester is a tool used for OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) to gather information such as emails, domain details, hostnames, employee names, and open ports and banners. It achieves this by querying search engines and other public resources during the reconnaissance phase of a penetration test.

Question 24

CloudBrute

Answer 24

• a cloud enumeration tool
• identifies applications and storage in various cloud provider environments
• operates without requiring credentials
• employs brute-force techniques, such as word lists and mutation capabilities, to help enumerate cloud resources

from Cruical: CloudBrute is specifically designed to discover an organization’s cloud environments. It takes a domain or keyword and systematically searches through permutations against popular cloud services, looking for misconfigured resources or hidden treasures. While other tools also focus on subdomain enumeration, they do not have the specific capability to enumerate cloud service subdomains and resources as effectively as CloudBrute.

Question 25

Scout Suite

Answer 25

Scout Suite is a multi-cloud security auditing tool that performs automated security assessments of cloud environments, identifying potential security issues. It supports major cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. This tool is used during penetration tests to assess the configuration compliance of cloud resources

Question 26

Mimikatz

Answer 26

• a powerful Windows post-exploitation tool widely used by penetration testers
• retrieves cleartext passwords and NTLM hashes
• performs Golden Ticket attacks to validate invalid Kerberos sessions,
• provides various post-exploitation functionalities.
• Mimikatz can be used as a standalone tool, integrated with Meterpreter, or as part of PowerShell tools like Empire and PowerSploit

Question 27

mdk4

Answer 27

• a wireless network security tool designed to exploit weaknesses in the 802.11 protocol. includes
• SSID probing
• brute-forcing
• flooding
• fuzzing
• deauthentication and disassociation attacks
• can also target Wi-Fi mesh networks and perform denial-of-service (DoS) attacks

Question 28

Coagula

Answer 28

a steganography tool used to embed text within audio files. It is designed to hide information in an inconspicuous manner by encoding it into audio data

Question 29

Openstego

Answer 29

an open-source steganography tool used to embed secret messages within image or other binary files. It is one of the popular tools for creating steganographic messages during penetration testing

Question 30

BuiltWith

Answer 30

BuiltWith is a web technology profiler used to identify the technologies powering websites. It helps penetration testers gather intelligence about the target’s web stack, including CMS platforms, server software, analytics tools, and more​.

Question 31

Empire

Answer 31

Empire is a post-exploitation tool designed for penetration testers. It is a PowerShell- and Python-based framework that supports encrypted communications, enables execution of PowerShell agents without using powershell.exe, and provides various modules for post-exploitation tasks on Windows systems. It offers functionalities similar to Metasploit and is useful for maintaining persistence and lateral movement​​.

Question 32

Shodan

Answer 32

Shodan is a search engine for internet-connected devices, often referred to as the “search engine for hackers.” It allows penetration testers and researchers to discover information about devices and systems exposed to the internet, such as servers, webcams, routers, and IoT devices. Shodan indexes metadata about these devices, including their IP addresses, open ports, services, and banner information​

Question 33

Metasploit

Answer 33

Metasploit is a widely-used open-source penetration testing framework that provides tools for identifying vulnerabilities, developing exploits, and conducting post-exploitation activities. It includes a database of prebuilt exploits and payloads, making it a powerful resource for testing the security of networks, systems, and applications

Question 34

Covenant

Answer 34

Covenant is a software security testing tool used specifically for testing .NET applications. It is categorized under debugging and software testing tools

Question 35

Nikto

Answer 35

• open-source web server scanner that identifies vulnerabilities such as outdated software, misconfigurations, and common security issues.
• It performs checks against various web server components, including CGI scripts and SSL/TLS configurations, and generates detailed reports to assist in remediation
• can scan for directory traversal, outdated software, and insecure configurations

Question 36

FOCA

Answer 36

Fingerprinting Organizations with Collected Archives

• a tool used for metadata analysis and information gathering during penetration testing.
• focuses on extracting hidden information from publicly available documents, such as file paths, usernames, software versions, and servers, to aid in reconnaissance

Question 37

OWASP ZAP

Answer 37

Zed Attack Proxy

• is an open-source web application security scanner designed to identify vulnerabilities in web applications during testing.
• It acts as a proxy between the tester and the web application, allowing for interception, modification, and analysis of traffic, and supports automated and manual vulnerability assessments

Question 38

Responder

Answer 38

• perform attacks against authentication protocols on networks, such as LLMNR, NBT-NS, and MDNS
• It enables testers to intercept, manipulate, and capture credentials by responding to broadcasted name resolution queries in a local network

Question 39

What is Burp Suite used for?

Answer 39

Burp Suite is a web application security testing tool used for intercepting, analyzing, and manipulating HTTP/S traffic.

Question 40

What are the main components of Burp Suite?

Answer 40

• Proxy
• Scanner
• Intruder
• Repeater
• Sequencer

Question 41

What is the role of Burp Suite’s Proxy tool?

Answer 41

The Proxy intercepts HTTP/S traffic between the browser and the web server, allowing testers to modify requests and responses.

Question 42

What is Burp Suite’s Intruder tool used for?

Answer 42

The Intruder tool automates customized attacks, such as brute-forcing and parameter fuzzing.

Question 43

What does the Scanner tool in Burp Suite do?

Answer 43

It identifies vulnerabilities in web applications by scanning for issues such as SQL injection, XSS, and security misconfigurations.

Question 44

How does the Repeater tool function in Burp Suite?

Answer 44

The Repeater allows testers to manually modify and re-send HTTP requests for further testing.

Question 45

What does the Sequencer tool analyze in Burp Suite?

Answer 45

It analyzes the randomness of tokens or session IDs to detect cryptographic weaknesses.

Question 46

Which editions of Burp Suite are commonly used?

Answer 46

• The Community Edition (free)
• The Professional Edition (paid)

Question 47

How does Burp Suite assist in identifying authentication vulnerabilities?

Answer 47

• intercepting and modifying login requests
• testing for weak or misconfigured authentication mechanisms.

Question 48

What feature in Burp Suite aids in finding hidden directories or files?

Answer 48

The Intruder and Spider tools can enumerate directories and locate hidden files.

Question 49

Wapiti

Answer 49

text based web application vulnerability scanner

• an open-source web application vulnerability scanner
• uses a text-based interface to identify issues in web applications, including vulnerabilities in underlying web servers, databases, and infrastructure
• not as widely known as other tools like Nikto

Question 50

WPScan

Answer 50

• WPScan is a specialized vulnerability scanner designed to identify security issues in websites running the WordPress content management system
• It detects misconfigurations, outdated plugins/themes, and other vulnerabilities specific to WordPress environments

Question 51

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Brakeman

Answer 51

• static code analysis tool Ruby on Rails applications
• Identifies security vulnerabilities in the code without requiring the application to be running, making it a crucial tool for developers and penetration testers focusing on secure software development

Question 52

nslookup

Answer 52

• nslookup is a command-line tool used for DNS lookups
• allows you to query Domain Name System (DNS) records to obtain information such as the IP address associated with a domain name, or the domain name associated with an IP address.
• useful for gathering information about DNS configurations and for penetration testing purposes

Question 53

Recon-ng

Answer 53

• a modular, web reconnaissance framework used for open-source intelligence (OSINT) gathering
• provides a structured environment similar to Metasploit, with plugins that automate various reconnaissance tasks such as identifying domains, gathering contact information, and collecting technical data about a targe

Question 54

ncat

Answer 54

• Ncat, designed as a successor to Netcat
• a network utility included in the Nmap suite
• It builds on Netcat’s functionality by adding features like support for SSL encryption, proxy servers, and advanced data transfer methods, such as chaining sessions for pivoting
• Ncat retains a similar command structure to Netcat, making it user-friendly for those familiar with the latter

Question 55

Proxychains

Answer 55

• a tool that tunnels traffic through one or multiple proxy servers, such as HTTP, SOCKS4, or SOCKS5 proxies
• helps to conceal the source of traffic and can be useful for evading detection during penetration tests
• by default, it uses the TOR network but can be configured for other proxies via the /etc/proxychains.conf file

Question 56

Cain

Answer 56

• Cain and Abel is a legacy password recovery and cracking tool primarily designed for older Windows systems like NT, 2000, and XP
• performs tasks such as password sniffing, brute-forcing, and dictionary attacks.
• is outdated, no longer maintained, and not practical for modern systems like Windows 10 and later

Question 57

DirBuster

Answer 57

• Definition: DirBuster is a Java application designed to brute-force directories and filenames on web servers
• Purpose: Automates the discovery of hidden web directories and files by scanning thousands of common URLs
• Limitation: It is an older tool (last updated in 2013) and may be less useful compared to more modern alternatives

Question 58

Patator

Answer 58

• Definition: Patator is a credential brute-forcing tool similar to Hydra and Medusa, but requires more manual filtering of result codes, making it less user-friendly for beginners.
• Features: Offers flexibility for specific use cases with features suited for advanced penetration testing scenarios.
• Usage Consideration: Typically used after gaining experience with tools like Hydra and Medusa.

Question 59

Cloud Custodian

Answer 59

• Definition: Cloud Custodian is a compliance and management tool for cloud services that helps identify misconfigurations and security issues.
• Features: Supports cloud governance by automating auditing and remediation tasks​.
• Use Case: Often utilized to maintain compliance and enforce security policies in cloud environments​.

Question 60

TinEye

Answer 60

• Definition: TinEye is a reverse image search tool that helps security researchers identify the original image, which can be useful when investigating suspected steganography
• Purpose: Assists in detecting altered or embedded messages within images by comparing them with the original
• Use Case: Commonly utilized in penetration testing scenarios involving steganographic analysis

Question 61

Metagoofil

Answer 61

• Definition: Metagoofil is a tool used to extract metadata from a variety of file types
• Purpose: It assists penetration testers in finding information such as usernames, file paths, and email addresses from publicly available documents
• Use Case: Useful for information gathering during the reconnaissance phase of penetration

Question 62

Sonic Visualiser

Answer 62

• Definition: Sonic Visualiser is an audio analysis tool used to detect alterations made by steganography tools
• Purpose: It helps identify embedded messages or modifications within audio files
• Use Case: Commonly employed in penetration testing scenarios involving steganographic techniques

Question 63

Coagula

Answer 63

• Definition: Coagula is a steganography tool used to embed text within audio files
• Purpose: Allows hiding messages in sound files as a form of covert communication
• Use Case: Often utilized in penetration testing to analyze or create steganographic data within audio

Question 64

Mitm6

Answer 64

• Definition: Mitm6 is a tool designed to exploit Windows DNS servers by responding to DHCPv6 messages and assigning link-local IPv6 addresses
• Purpose: It enables attackers to perform man-in-the-middle (on-path) attacks by setting a system controlled by the attacker as the default DNS server
• Use Case: Commonly used to redirect traffic and manipulate DNS queries for penetration testing

Question 65

TruffleHog

Answer 65

search for secrets like keys or credentials embedded in source code repositories

• Definition: TruffleHog is a tool used to search for sensitive strings, such as secret keys, by identifying patterns that match key formats
• Purpose: Assists penetration testers in locating unintentionally exposed keys in repositories like GitHub or Amazon S3 buckets
• Use Case: Valuable during the reconnaissance phase to uncover credentials for further exploitation

Question 66

Impacket tools

Answer 66

• Definition: Impacket tools are Python-based utilities and libraries designed for penetration testing and exploit development, supporting tasks like SMB hash playback, WMI persistence, and remote secret dumping
• Examples: Includes tools such as psexec.py (PsExec replication)
• wmiexec.py (WMI shell)
• smbclient.py (Python SMB client)
• packet sniffers like sniff.py and sniffer.py
• Use Case: Utilized for advanced tasks like registry manipulation, MS-SQL authentication handling, and creating lateral movement techniques during penetration tests

Question 67

W3AF

Answer 67

• Definition: Web Application Attack and Audit Framework is a web application testing and exploit tool that can spider websites, test applications, and identify security issues
• Features: Provides functionality for both active and passive scanning of web applications to detect vulnerabilities
• Use Case: Frequently used for web application assessments during penetration tests to find and exploit potential weaknesses

Question 68

Immunity Debugger

Answer 68

• Definition: Immunity Debugger is a debugging tool tailored for penetration testing and reverse engineering malware
• Purpose: It enables dynamic analysis of executable files, assisting with exploit development and vulnerability analysis
• Use Case: Commonly used for identifying vulnerabilities in software and performing malware analysis during penetration tests

Question 69

Covenant

Answer 69

• Covenant is a command-and-control (C2) framework used for managing and interacting with compromised systems
• It supports exploitation and post-exploitation tasks, including persistence and payload execution
• Commonly used in penetration testing to simulate adversarial activities and maintain control of target systems

Question 70

EAPHammer

Answer 70

• EAPHammer is a wireless penetration testing tool designed for conducting evil twin attacks on WPA2-Enterprise networks.
• It automates the creation of fake access points to capture credentials and perform attacks like password spraying and captive portal exploitation.
• Commonly used to simulate on-path attacks and assess the security of enterprise wireless networks

Question 71

Spooftooph

Answer 71

• Spooftooph is a Bluetooth spoofing tool used for identifying and cloning Bluetooth devices.
• It can generate randomized Bluetooth device profiles and log discovered Bluetooth information.
• The tool is useful in penetration tests for gathering information and simulating trusted devices in Bluetooth-enabled environments

Question 72

Reaver

Answer 72

• Reaver is a wireless attack tool used to exploit the Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) protocol.
• It performs brute-force attacks to crack the WPS PIN, gaining access to Wi-Fi networks.
• Reaver can also execute faster “pixie dust” attacks to exploit poorly implemented WPS encryption

Question 73

Fern

Answer 73

• Fern is a Wi-Fi penetration testing tool designed for cracking WPA2 networks using dictionary attacks.
• It includes session hijacking, access point geolocation mapping, and brute-force capabilities for HTTP, Telnet, and FTP.
• Supports on-path attacks to assess vulnerabilities in wireless environments

Question 74

SonarQube

Answer 74

• a static code analysis tool designed to inspect the quality and security of source code
• It identifies potential vulnerabilities, bugs, and code smells (bad coding practices) by analyzing source code without executing it