Pablo Guides

# Course #467: pspy – Process Spy for Kali Linux

## Installation and Configuration on Kali Linux

To begin utilizing pspy on Kali Linux, the first step is to install the tool. pspy is a lightweight utility that allows you to monitor processes and their activities on a system without requiring elevated privileges. This makes it an essential tool for pentesters seeking to understand running processes without alerting potential adversaries.

### Prerequisites

Ensure that your Kali Linux distribution is up to date. Open a terminal and run:

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

### Installation

1. **Download pspy**:
You can download pspy from its official GitHub repository. Use the following command in the terminal:

   wget https://github.com/DominicBreuker/pspy/releases/latest/download/pspy64

 

If you are using a 32-bit system, replace `pspy64` with `pspy32`.

2. **Make pspy executable**:
Next, you need to give the downloaded binary the necessary execute permissions:

   chmod +x pspy64

 

3. **Move to a suitable directory**:
It’s good practice to move the binary to a directory included in your PATH. For example:

   sudo mv pspy64 /usr/local/bin/pspy

 

4. **Verify installation**:
You can check if pspy has been correctly installed by running:

   pspy –help

 

This command should display the help message, confirming that pspy is ready to use.

### Configuration

pspy doesn’t require extensive configuration. However, it’s wise to configure it according to your pentesting needs. This includes setting up environment variables if you want to change default behaviors or log outputs.

1. **Change the output format (optional)**:
By default, pspy outputs to the terminal. If you wish to save the output to a file, you can redirect the output like so:

   pspy > pspy_output.log

 

2. **Setting up filters**:
pspy allows you to filter the displayed processes based on certain keywords. This is particularly useful when you are scanning for specific processes that may indicate suspicious activity.

   pspy -f keyword

 

Now you are ready to move onto the practical usage of pspy.

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

pspy can be a powerful ally in your pentesting toolkit. Below, we delve into its features and demonstrate its functionality through step-by-step examples.

### Basic Usage

To start monitoring processes, simply run:

"`bash
pspy
"`

This command will begin showing you real-time process activities.

### Understanding Output

When you execute pspy, it produces output in the following format:

"`
2023/10/05 12:00:00 PID: 1234 COMMAND: /usr/bin/someprocess
"`

Where:
– `2023/10/05 12:00:00` is the timestamp
– `PID` is the Process ID
– `COMMAND` is the command line that started the process

### Real-World Use Case 1: Detecting Rootkits

One common use case for pspy in pentesting is detecting rootkits. Attackers often hide their processes from standard monitoring tools. By running pspy, you can identify hidden processes that could suggest a rootkit installation.

"`bash
pspy | grep -i 'suspicious-process-name'
"`

This command filters the output to show only the processes containing `'suspicious-process-name'`.

### Real-World Use Case 2: Tracking Down Malware

When investigating a potential malware infection on a host, pspy can help you identify suspicious activities:

1. **Run pspy**:

   pspy

 

2. **Look for unusual commands or processes**:
Pay attention to unexpected processes or command-line arguments that could reveal the presence of malware.

### Advanced Usage

#### Tracking Process Activity Over Time

You might want to track a process over a period. This can be accomplished by running pspy in logging mode:

"`bash
pspy > /path/to/logfile.log
"`

#### Event Filtering

If you're looking for specific activities, such as file access or network connections, utilize filters. For example, to monitor processes related to networking:

"`bash
pspy -f 'curl|wget|netcat'
"`

### Example Code Snippets

Here are some useful command snippets when working with pspy:

#### Basic Monitoring Command

"`bash
pspy
"`

#### Capture Output to a File

"`bash
pspy > pspy_output.log
"`

#### Filter Output for a Specific Process

"`bash
pspy | grep -i 'ssh'
"`

#### Monitor for Suspicious Network Activity

"`bash
pspy -f 'curl|wget'
"`

## Detailed Technical Explanations

### How pspy Works

pspy works by reading kernel events and tracking process activity in real-time. Unlike traditional process monitoring tools that require elevated privileges, pspy can run in user mode, providing a stealthy approach to observing system activity. It leverages the `/proc` filesystem in Linux to gather information about running processes.

### Benefits of Using pspy

1. **Non-invasive**: pspy runs without installation on the target system, reducing the footprint and risk of detection.
2. **Real-time monitoring**: Provides immediate feedback on process activities, allowing for quick responses to suspicious behavior.
3. **Easy to use**: The command-line interface is straightforward, making it accessible even to novice users.

### Limitations of pspy

While pspy is a powerful tool, it is not without limitations:
– **Limited to Linux**: pspy only operates on Linux systems, making it unsuitable for environments with different operating systems.
– **Low-level monitoring**: It might miss some complex interactions between processes that traditional monitoring tools could catch.

## External Reference Links

– [pspy GitHub Repository](https://github.com/DominicBreuker/pspy)
– [Kali Linux Official Tools Page](https://www.kali.org/tools/pspy)
– [Understanding Linux Process Management](https://www.tldp.org/LDP/tlk/kernel/processes.html)

## Conclusion

In summary, pspy is a versatile and non-invasive tool that every pentester should have in their arsenal. By effectively monitoring processes, it provides crucial insights into system activities, enabling you to identify potential threats early.

Whether you are examining a suspected compromise or simply monitoring a system for unusual activity, pspy is an invaluable resource for safeguarding your cybersecurity efforts.

Made by pablo rotem / פבלו רותם