Pablo Guides

# Course #424: Mastering Pacu$

## Section 1: Introduction to Pacu$

### Installation and Configuration on Kali Linux

Pacu$ is a powerful open-source penetration testing tool designed for assessing AWS environments. As cloud services proliferate, the security of these platforms becomes paramount. In this section, we will explore how to install Pacu$ on Kali Linux, configure it properly, and prepare for effective cloud penetration testing.

### Prerequisites

Before installing Pacu$, ensure you have the following prerequisites:

– **Kali Linux**: You should be running an up-to-date version of Kali Linux. You can download Kali from [Kali Linux's official website](https://www.kali.org/downloads/).
– **Python 3.6 or higher**: Pacu$ is built using Python, so make sure you have the correct version installed.

### Step 1: Updating Your System

Start by updating your system packages to the latest versions. Open a terminal and run:

"`bash
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
"`

### Step 2: Installing Required Packages

Pacu$ requires several Python packages. Install them using the following command:

"`bash
sudo apt install git python3-pip -y
"`

### Step 3: Cloning Pacu$ Repository

Next, clone the Pacu$ repository from GitHub:

"`bash
git clone https://github.com/RhinoSecurityLabs/pacu.git
"`

### Step 4: Navigating to the Directory

Change into the Pacu$ directory:

"`bash
cd pacu
"`

### Step 5: Installing Python Dependencies

Install the required Python dependencies by running:

"`bash
pip3 install -r requirements.txt
"`

### Step 6: Configuring AWS Credentials

To utilize Pacu$, you need valid AWS credentials. You can set them up using the `aws configure` command from the AWS CLI, or manually create a credentials file.

If you have AWS CLI installed, run:

"`bash
aws configure
"`

You will be prompted to enter your AWS Access Key ID, Secret Access Key, region, and output format.

Alternatively, you can create or edit the `~/.aws/credentials` file:

"`ini
[default]
aws_access_key_id = YOUR_ACCESS_KEY
aws_secret_access_key = YOUR_SECRET_KEY
"`

### Step 7: Running Pacu$

You can now run Pacu$ by executing:

"`bash
python3 pacu.py
"`

### Step 8: Setting Up the Environment

Once Pacu$ is running, you will be presented with its console interface. Here, you can set up your environment by loading modules relevant to your testing objectives. To see the available modules, use the command:

"`plaintext
list
"`

### Step 9: Familiarizing with Module Options

To explore a specific module, use the command:

"`plaintext
help
"`

This will display the options and commands available for that module.

### Step 10: Structure of the Workspace

Pacu$ organizes its workspace effectively. Key directories include:

– **modules/**: Contains all the individual modules that you can use.
– **output/**: Stores results and logs of your assessments.
– **data/**: Holds any additional data files or configurations.

### Step-by-Step Usage and Real-World Use Cases

Now, we'll cover the step-by-step usage of Pacu$ and highlight several real-world use cases that demonstrate its capabilities.

#### Use Case 1: Identifying IAM Misconfigurations

One common vulnerability in AWS environments is misconfigured IAM roles and policies. With Pacu$, we can quickly identify such misconfigurations.

1. **Load IAM Module**:

"`plaintext
use iam
"`

2. **List IAM Roles**:

Retrieve a list of IAM roles to inspect:

"`plaintext
list_roles
"`

3. **Examining Policies**:

Inspect the details of a specific role:

"`plaintext
describe_role
"`

4. **Checking Policy Attachments**:

You can check which policies are attached to the role:

"`plaintext
list_attached_role_policies
"`

5. **Analyzing Inline Policies**:

Examine inline policies that could lead to privilege escalation:

"`plaintext
list_inline_role_policies
"`

This process highlights potential weaknesses in IAM configurations that could allow unauthorized access.

#### Use Case 2: S3 Bucket Enumeration

S3 buckets are a frequent target for attackers, as misconfigured buckets can expose sensitive data. Pacu$ provides tools to enumerate and assess S3 buckets.

1. **Load S3 Module**:

"`plaintext
use s3
"`

2. **Enumerate Buckets**:

List all S3 buckets accessible to your credentials:

"`plaintext
list_buckets
"`

3. **Check Bucket Permissions**:

Evaluate the access control list (ACL) for a specific bucket:

"`plaintext
get_bucket_acl
"`

4. **List Bucket Objects**:

If a bucket is publicly accessible, you can list its objects:

"`plaintext
list_objects
"`

5. **Download Sensitive Files**:

If sensitive files are found, download them:

"`plaintext
download_object
"`

This use case illustrates how a single misconfigured S3 bucket can lead to data exposure.

#### Use Case 3: EC2 Instance Exploration

Privileged access to EC2 instances can lead to significant security incidents. Below, we will explore how to enumerate EC2 instances and assess their configurations.

1. **Load EC2 Module**:

"`plaintext
use ec2
"`

2. **Describe Instances**:

List instances to gather information:

"`plaintext
describe_instances
"`

3. **Check Security Groups**:

Inspect security groups associated with instances:

"`plaintext
list_security_groups
"`

4. **Analyze Key Pairs**:

Examine key pairs for potential vulnerabilities:

"`plaintext
list_key_pairs
"`

5. **Connecting to Instances**:

If you identify an accessible EC2 instance, attempt to connect using SSH (provided you have the correct key pair).

This example outlines the importance of EC2 security configurations and access management.

### Detailed Technical Explanations

Pacu$ modules have detailed technical underpinnings, with each module designed to automate specific tasks. Understanding the inner workings can enable you to customize and extend Pacu$ for specific testing needs.

#### IAM Module

The IAM module focuses on identifying misconfigurations within Identity and Access Management (IAM). It automates the process of listing roles, policies, and analyzing access levels. This module is crucial for spotting over-permissive roles.

#### S3 Module

The S3 module allows you to enumerate S3 buckets and assess their security configurations. It leverages AWS APIs to fetch bucket details, ACLs, and contents. This module can help pentesters identify data leaks due to improper bucket configurations.

#### EC2 Module

The EC2 module helps identify instances, their configurations, and associated security groups. By analyzing the security group rules, pentesters can determine if instances are exposed to the public internet or improperly configured.

### External Reference Links

– [AWS Documentation on IAM Policies](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/IAM/latest/UserGuide/access_policies.html)
– [AWS S3 Security Best Practices](https://aws.amazon.com/security/best-practices/)
– [AWS EC2 Security Best Practices](https://aws.amazon.com/architecture/security-architecture/)

### Code Examples in Markdown

Here are some code examples formatted in Markdown for better readability:

"`markdown
# Install Pacu on Kali Linux

"`bash
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
sudo apt install git python3-pip -y
git clone https://github.com/RhinoSecurityLabs/pacu.git
cd pacu
pip3 install -r requirements.txt
"`
"`

"`markdown
# AWS Configuration

"`ini
[default]
aws_access_key_id = YOUR_ACCESS_KEY
aws_secret_access_key = YOUR_SECRET_KEY
"`
"`

"`markdown
# Using Pacu to Assess S3 Buckets

"`plaintext
use s3
list_buckets
get_bucket_acl
list_objects
download_object
"`
"`

### Conclusion

In this section, we covered the installation and configuration of Pacu$ on Kali Linux, outlined step-by-step usage with real-world use cases, and provided detailed technical explanations of key modules within Pacu$. By following these guidelines, you can effectively leverage Pacu$ to perform thorough penetration testing on AWS environments.

### Next Steps

In the following sections, we will delve into more specific use cases and advanced techniques for utilizing Pacu$, including automation strategies, custom module development, and comprehensive reporting methods to enhance your penetration testing toolkit.

—

Made by pablo rotem / פבלו רותם