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# Hekatomb$ Penetration Testing Course

## Section 1: Installation and Configuration of Hekatomb$ on Kali Linux

### 1.1 Overview of Hekatomb$

Hekatomb$ is a powerful penetration testing tool designed to streamline the process of web application security testing. With its ability to automate various tasks, Hekatomb$ is essential for ethical hackers looking to enhance their toolkit for identifying vulnerabilities in web applications. This section focuses on the installation and configuration of Hekatomb$ on Kali Linux, followed by a detailed usage guide and real-world use cases.

### 1.2 Installation of Hekatomb$

To get started, we need to install Hekatomb$ on our Kali Linux system. Follow these steps to ensure that Hekatomb$ is properly installed:

#### Step 1: Update Your System

Before installing new software, it is always a good practice to update your system. Run the following commands in your terminal:

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

#### Step 2: Install Hekatomb$

Hekatomb$ is typically pre-installed on Kali Linux, but if it’s not available, you can install it from the official repository. Use the following command:

"`bash
sudo apt install hekatomb -y
"`

#### Step 3: Verify Installation

After installation, you can verify that Hekatomb$ is installed correctly by checking its version:

"`bash
hekatomb –version
"`

If installed successfully, you will see the current version number displayed in your terminal.

### 1.3 Configuration of Hekatomb$

Once Hekatomb$ is installed, you may want to configure it to suit your specific needs. Configuration is generally managed through a configuration file located at `/etc/hekatomb/hekatomb.conf`.

#### Step 1: Locate the Configuration File

Use a text editor (such as nano or vim) to edit the configuration file:

"`bash
sudo nano /etc/hekatomb/hekatomb.conf
"`

#### Step 2: Edit Configuration Settings

In this configuration file, you can set options such as:

– **Log Level**: Adjust the verbosity of logs (debug, info, warning, error).
– **Output Format**: Choose how you want the output to be displayed (JSON, XML, or text).
– **Default Target**: Set a default target for your scans.

For example, to set the log level to debug, add or modify the following line:

"`ini
log_level = debug
"`

After making your changes, save the file and exit the text editor.

### 1.4 Step-by-Step Usage of Hekatomb$

With Hekatomb$ installed and configured, let’s go through its usage. We will cover various commands and demonstrate how to run a penetration test on a sample web application.

#### Step 1: Basic Command Structure

The basic command structure for Hekatomb$ follows:

"`bash
hekatomb [options]
"`

#### Step 2: Running a Simple Scan

To initiate a scan against a target, use the following command:

"`bash
hekatomb scan http://example.com
"`

This command will perform a basic scan on the specified URL.

#### Step 3: Using Option Flags

Hekatomb$ comes with several option flags to customize your scans. Here are a few useful options:

– `–level `: Set the intensity of the scan (1-5).
– `–output `: Specify the output format (json, xml, text).
– `–threads `: Set the number of concurrent threads for scanning.

For example:

"`bash
hekatomb scan http://example.com –level 3 –output json –threads 10
"`

This command runs a scan on `http://example.com` with a level of 3 intensity, outputs the results in JSON format, and uses 10 threads.

### 1.5 Real-World Use Cases for Hekatomb$

#### Use Case 1: Vulnerability Assessment in Web Applications

One of the primary uses of Hekatomb$ is to conduct vulnerability assessments on web applications. Organizations frequently deploy Hekatomb$ to identify potential vulnerabilities before malicious actors can exploit them.

**Example Command:**

"`bash
hekatomb scan http://example.com –level 4 –output json –threads 5
"`

This command provides an in-depth scan that identifies vulnerabilities like SQL injection, XSS, and misconfigured servers.

#### Use Case 2: Compliance Testing

Companies must comply with various standards (PCI-DSS, HIPAA) that require regular security assessments. Hekatomb$ can automate compliance checks, saving time and ensuring thoroughness.

**Example Command:**

"`bash
hekatomb scan http://securebank.com –level 5 –output xml
"`

This command will conduct a comprehensive scan, generating an XML report that can be used for compliance documentation.

#### Use Case 3: Penetration Testing Engagements

Hekatomb$ is also used during penetration testing engagements to simulate real attack scenarios. Security professionals can utilize its tools to gather intelligence about a target system.

**Example Command:**

"`bash
hekatomb scan http://sensitive-data.com –level 5 –output text
"`

This command will perform an exhaustive scan and provide a detailed text output of discovered vulnerabilities.

### 1.6 Detailed Technical Explanations

#### Hekatomb$ Architecture

Hekatomb$ operates by leveraging various plugins tailored for specific vulnerability checks. Each plugin communicates with a core engine that manages the scan's logic and flow, allowing users to customize their testing environments efficiently.

#### Plugin Architecture

1. **Core Engine**: Manages the overall scanning process and integrates results from various plugins.
2. **Plugins**: Each plugin targets different vulnerabilities (e.g., SQL injection, XSS, CSRF). Plugins can be added or removed, allowing flexibility based on the specific needs of a project.

#### Scanning Techniques

Hekatomb$ utilizes several scanning techniques, including:

– **Active Scanning**: Actively sends requests to the target to identify vulnerabilities.
– **Passive Scanning**: Monitors traffic to identify security weaknesses without actively probing the target.

### 1.7 External Reference Links

For further reading and an in-depth understanding of Hekatomb$, consider the following resources:

– [Hekatomb$ Official Documentation](https://www.kali.org/tools/hekatomb$)
– [OWASP Testing Guide](https://owasp.org/www-project-web-security-testing-guide/latest/)
– [Kali Linux Official Documentation](https://www.kali.org/docs/)

### Conclusion

In this section, we covered the installation and configuration of Hekatomb$ on Kali Linux, provided a step-by-step guide on its usage, and explored real-world use cases. Hekatomb$ is an invaluable tool for penetration testers and ethical hackers, enabling them to effectively assess web applications for vulnerabilities.

—

Made by pablo rotem / פבלו רותם