# Reaver: WPS Cracking Made Easy
## Introduction to Reaver
Reaver is an open-source tool designed for performing brute-force attacks against the Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) PIN. It exploits vulnerabilities in WPS implementations, allowing attackers to recover the WPA/WPA2 passphrase of a wireless network. While primarily a pentesting tool, Reaver emphasizes ethical hacking, and its usage should be confined to authorized environments where explicit permission has been granted.
In this section, we will explore the installation, configuration, and practical application of Reaver on Kali Linux. By the end of this section, you should have a robust understanding of how to effectively use Reaver for network penetration testing.
## Installation and Configuration on Kali Linux
Before diving into the usage of Reaver, the first step is to install it on your Kali Linux environment. Kali Linux comes pre-installed with many penetration testing tools, including Reaver, but it is always a good practice to ensure you have the latest version. Here are the steps to install Reaver:
### Step 1: Update Your System
Open a terminal and run the following commands to update your system’s package repository:
"`bash
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade
"`
### Step 2: Install Reaver
If Reaver is not already installed, you can install it using the following command:
"`bash
sudo apt install reaver
"`
### Step 3: Ensure Wireless Card is Compatible
To use Reaver effectively, you will need a compatible wireless network adapter that supports monitor mode and packet injection. You can check the compatibility of your wireless card with the following command:
"`bash
airmon-ng
"`
If your wireless card is compatible, you will see it listed. If not, consider purchasing an adapter known for its compatibility with penetration testing tools.
### Step 4: Enable Monitor Mode
To use Reaver, you need to enable monitor mode on your wireless card. Use the following commands:
"`bash
sudo airmon-ng start wlan0
"`
Replace `wlan0` with your wireless interface name, as identified in the previous step. After enabling monitor mode, the interface typically changes to something like `wlan0mon`.
## Step-by-Step Usage of Reaver
Now that Reaver is installed and your wireless card is in monitor mode, let’s dive into the step-by-step process of using Reaver.
### Step 1: Identify Target Networks
The first step is to identify the target networks that have WPS enabled. You can do this using `airodump-ng`.
"`bash
sudo airodump-ng wlan0mon
"`
This command will list all the available Wi-Fi networks along with their BSSID, channel, encryption type, and WPS status. Look for networks that have WPS enabled (the WPS column indicates this).
### Step 2: Gather Necessary Information
Once you have identified a target network, note its BSSID and channel. You will use this information in the next step.
### Step 3: Start Reaver Attack
To begin the attack, use the following command:
"`bash
sudo reaver -i wlan0mon -b [BSSID] -c [channel] -vv
"`
Replace `[BSSID]` with the BSSID of the target network and `[channel]` with its channel number. The `-vv` flag enables verbose output, which provides more information about the attack process.
### Real-World Use Cases for Reaver
1. **Auditing Wireless Security**: Organizations can use Reaver to test the security of their own WPS-enabled devices, ensuring that they are not vulnerable to attacks.
2. **Penetration Testing**: Penetration testers can use Reaver to assess the strength of clients’ networks, especially in environments where WPS is enabled.
3. **Educational Purposes**: Security professionals and students can use Reaver in a lab environment to learn about WPS vulnerabilities and improve their skills in network security.
## Detailed Technical Explanations
### How WPS Works
WPS is a network security standard designed to create a secure wireless home network. It allows users to connect devices to a Wi-Fi network more easily by entering an easy-to-remember PIN or pressing a button on the router. However, WPS has known vulnerabilities that can be exploited, making it susceptible to brute-force attacks.
### Vulnerabilities in WPS
WPS implementations often have weak or predictable PIN generation algorithms. For example, many routers use a fixed 8-digit PIN, which significantly reduces the complexity of the brute-force attack. More importantly, WPS only allows a limited number of incorrect PIN attempts, but it does not lock out the channel, allowing attackers to attempt multiple attacks on different sessions.
### Reaver Operation
Reaver works by capturing specific information during the WPS handshake process. It then systematically attempts every possible PIN until it finds the correct one. The tool utilizes a combination of brute-force techniques and optimization strategies to expedite the process, making it faster than manual attempts.
### Code Examples
When using Reaver, you may want to customize the attack for better results. Below are some common options that can be added to your Reaver command:
"`bash
# Specify a custom timeout
sudo reaver -i wlan0mon -b [BSSID] -c [channel] -vv -t 60
# Use a specified PIN file
sudo reaver -i wlan0mon -b [BSSID] -c [channel] -vv -f [path_to_pin_file]
"`
### External References
– [Kali Linux Official Documentation](https://www.kali.org/docs/)
– [Reaver GitHub Repository](https://github.com/t6x/reaver-wps-fork-t6x)
– [WPS Vulnerabilities Explained](https://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/274957)
## Conclusion
Reaver is an invaluable tool for ethical hackers and penetration testers seeking to assess the security of WPS-enabled networks. By understanding the installation, configuration, and usage of Reaver, you can conduct thorough wireless security assessments and help organizations fortify their defenses against potential attacks.
As with any hacking tool, it is imperative to abide by ethical guidelines, ensuring that your penetration testing efforts are conducted within authorized parameters and with proper consent.
Made by pablo rotem / פבלו רותם