# Burp Suite for Penetration Testing
## Installation and Configuration on Kali Linux
### Introduction
Burp Suite is an integrated platform designed for performing security testing of web applications. It provides a range of tools for web application security testing, including an intercepting proxy, web spider, intruder, repeater, and more. Kali Linux, being a penetration testing distribution, comes with Burp Suite pre-installed. However, we will walk through the installation and configuration process to ensure you have the latest version and to familiarize you with its components.
### Step 1: Installing Burp Suite
While Burp Suite is included in Kali Linux, you may want to install it directly from the official source to ensure you have the latest version. Follow these steps to download and install Burp Suite:
1. **Update Your Package List**: Open your terminal and run the following command to ensure all your packages are up to date:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
2. **Download Burp Suite**: Navigate to the official Burp Suite website and download the latest free version:
wget https://portswigger.net/burp/releases/download?product=community&version=latest&type=jar -O burpsuite.jar
3. **Install Java**: Burp Suite requires Java to run. Ensure you have the latest version of Java installed:
sudo apt install default-jre
4. **Run Burp Suite**: You can now run Burp Suite using the following command:
java -jar burpsuite.jar
### Step 2: Configuring Burp Suite
Once Burp Suite is launched, a configuration wizard will guide you through the initial setup. Here’s how to configure it correctly:
1. **Select a project**: Choose ‘Temporary project’ to start with a fresh project or ‘New project’ to save your configurations for future use.
2. **Configure the Proxy Settings**:
– Navigate to the "Proxy" tab and then to "Options".
– Change the proxy listener settings to bind to a specific interface (usually `127.0.0.1:8080` for local testing).
– Ensure the option to 'Use a different port' is unchecked unless you have a specific requirement.
3. **Installing CA Certificate**:
– Burp Suite acts as a proxy and intercepts HTTPS traffic. To inspect HTTPS traffic, you need to configure your browser to trust Burp’s CA certificate.
– Go to the “Proxy” tab → “Intercept” sub-tab → click on “Open Browser” to open a browser that’s already configured to use Burp as a proxy.
– In the browser, navigate to `http://burp` and follow the instructions to download the CA certificate.
– Import the CA certificate into your browser’s certificate settings.
### Real-World Use Cases
#### Example 1: Intercepting HTTP Requests
Using Burp Suite to intercept and analyze HTTP requests can unveil a plethora of vulnerabilities within web applications. Here’s how you can do this:
1. **Configure Your Browser**: Set your browser’s proxy settings to point to Burp Suite (127.0.0.1:8080).
2. **Start Interception**: In Burp Suite, ensure that interception is turned on. You can do this under the “Proxy” tab by clicking on “Intercept is on”.
3. **Browse to a Target Site**: Once your browser is set up, navigate to the target web application. Burp Suite will automatically capture the HTTP requests and responses.
4. **Analyze the Request**: You can now analyze the request headers, parameters, and body content. Look for vulnerabilities such as:
– Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
– SQL Injection
– Open Redirects
5. **Modify Requests**: You can modify the request parameters or headers and forward the request to see how the application responds.
#### Example 2: Using the Intruder Tool
Burp’s Intruder tool is used for automating customized attacks against web applications.
1. **Selecting a Target**: After intercepting a request, send it to Intruder by right-clicking on the request and selecting “Send to Intruder”.
2. **Configuring Payloads**:
– Go to the “Intruder” tab and select the relevant positions you want to target (e.g., parameters).
– Choose the “Payloads” tab and configure the type of attack you want to perform:
– **Sniper Attack**: For simple parameter fuzzing.
– **Battering Ram**: For sending the same payload to multiple parameters.
– **Cluster Bomb**: For using multiple payload sets.
3. **Running the Attack**: Start the attack and review the responses from the server. Look for anomalies or unexpected behavior.
### Detailed Technical Explanations
#### Understanding Proxy Interception
Burp Suite acts as an intermediary between the client (browser) and the server (web application). With HTTP requests being sent through Burp, it allows for:
– **Traffic Analysis**: Understand the complete request-response cycle.
– **Request Modification**: Change request parameters to test for vulnerabilities.
– **Session Handling**: Manage user sessions to test authentication flaws.
#### How to Use Burp Suite for SQL Injection Testing
SQL Injection is a common vulnerability. Here’s how to leverage Burp Suite to identify and exploit potential SQL injection points:
1. **Identify Input Fields**: Use Burp’s spider tool to map the application and find input fields that interact with a database.
2. **Send Requests to Repeater**: Right-click on suspicious requests and send them to the Repeater.
3. **Craft SQL Injection Payloads**: Modify the input fields with common SQL injection payloads (like `1' OR '1'='1`).
4. **Analyze Responses**: Review the server responses to identify any changes in response behavior, which may indicate a successful injection.
### External Reference Links
– [Burp Suite Official Documentation](https://portswigger.net/burp/documentation)
– [OWASP Testing Guide](https://owasp.org/www-project-web-security-testing-guide/latest/)
– [SQL Injection Cheat Sheet](https://portswigger.net/web-security/sql-injection)
### Code Examples in Markdown for WordPress
#### Inserting Basic SQL Injection Payload
When testing a WordPress form, you might encounter a login form vulnerable to SQL injection. Here’s a payload you could use:
"`sql
username: admin' OR '1'='1
password: anything
"`
This payload tries to trick the database into logging in without a valid password by returning true through the OR statement.
#### Automating Requests with Burp Suite
You can use Burp’s extension capabilities to automate certain tasks. Here's a code snippet for creating a custom Python extension using `Jython`:
"`python
from burp import IBurpExtender, ITab
from javax.swing import JPanel, JLabel
class BurpExtender(IBurpExtender, ITab):
def registerExtenderCallbacks(self, callbacks):
self._callbacks = callbacks
self._helpers = callbacks.getHelpers()
callbacks.setExtensionName("Custom Burp Extension")
self.addTab()
def addTab(self):
# Create a simple panel
panel = JPanel()
label = JLabel("Hello, Burp Suite!")
panel.add(label)
self._callbacks.addSuiteTab(self)
def getTabCaption(self):
return "Custom Tab"
def getUiComponent(self):
return self.panel
"`
### Conclusion
Burp Suite is a powerful tool that, when used effectively, can help identify security vulnerabilities in web applications. This section provided detailed insights into its installation, configuration, and practical applications in the realm of penetration testing. Mastery of Burp Suite can significantly enhance your web application security assessment capabilities.
**Remember**, ethical hacking and penetration testing should always be conducted responsibly and ethically, respecting the laws and guidelines of your jurisdiction, and ensuring that you have permission to test the applications in question.
—
Made by pablo rotem / פבלו רותם