Metasploit is a powerful penetration testing framework that allows security professionals to perform vulnerability scanning on systems and applications. With the advent of mobile computing, running Metasploit in Termux, a terminal emulator for Android, offers flexibility and convenience for security assessments on the go. This guide will walk you through the steps of installing Metasploit in Termux and using it for vulnerability scanning.
Table of Contents
- Prerequisites
- Installing Metasploit in Termux
- Setting Up Metasploit
- Performing a Vulnerability Scan
- Analyzing Scan Results
- Use Cases
- Conclusion
- References
Prerequisites
Before getting started, ensure you have the following:
- An Android device with Termux installed. You can download it from the Google Play Store or F-Droid.
- Basic knowledge of Linux command-line operations.
- Internet connectivity for downloading required packages.
Installing Metasploit in Termux
To install Metasploit, follow these steps:
Open Termux and update your package lists:
pkg update && pkg upgradeSample Output:
Checking availability of current mirror: ok
Get:1 https://termux.net stable/main arm InRelease [9430 B]
Get:2 https://termux.net stable/main arm Packages [200 kB]
Fetched 200 kB in 3s (60.5 kB/s)
...Explanation:
The command pkg update refreshes your package list. You can see that packages are being installed, which are essential tools for version control, file downloading, and data transfer.
Clone the Metasploit repository:
git clone https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework.gitNavigate to the Metasploit directory:
cd metasploit-frameworkInstall the dependencies:
bundle installSet environment variables (optional but recommended):
export PATH=$PATH:$(pwd)/msfvenomSetting Up Metasploit
Launch Metasploit:
./msfconsole Sample Output:
[-] ** Metasploit - 6.0.1 **
[-] [2024.09.01-12:34:56] Starting the Metasploit Framework Console...Explanation:
Starting msfconsole initiates the Metasploit Framework, which uses PostgreSQL for managing data related to exploits and sessions.
Update Metasploit to ensure you have the latest modules:
msfupdatePerforming a Vulnerability Scan
Set the target IP address.
For demonstration, we will scan a local network or a target of your choice:
use auxiliary/scanner/portscan/tcp Sample Output:
msf6 > use auxiliary/scanner/portscan/tcp
[*] Using auxiliary/scanner/portscan/tcpExplanation:
This command selects the TCP port scanning module, which performs the vulnerability scanning task.
Configure the target:
set RHOSTS <target_ip>Sample Output:
msf6 auxiliary(scanner/portscan/tcp) > set RHOSTS 192.168.1.1
RHOSTS => 192.168.1.1Explanation:
The RHOSTS variable specifies the target host(s) for scanning.
Choose the range of ports to scan (default is all ports):
set PORTS 1-1000 Sample Output:
msf6 auxiliary(scanner/portscan/tcp) > set PORTS 1-1000 PORTS => 1-1000 Explanation:
This specifies the range of ports to scan, making the scan more efficient.
Run the scan:
runSample Output:
[*] 192.168.1.1:22 - TCP OPEN
[*] 192.168.1.1:80 - TCP OPEN
[*] Scan completed in 3 secondsExplanation:
The output indicates which ports are open on the target IP, highlighting potential entry points for exploitation.
Run specific vulnerability scanners:
use auxiliary/scanner/vuln/your_vulnerability_scanner Sample Output:
msf6 auxiliary(scanner/portscan/tcp) > use auxiliary/scanner/vuln/your_vulnerability_scanner
[*] Using auxiliary/scanner/vuln/your_vulnerability_scannerExplanation:
This command selects a specific vulnerability scanner module to target known vulnerabilities.
Set the target for the vulnerability scanner:
set RHOSTS 192.168.1.1Run the vulnerability scanner:
run Sample Output:
[*] 192.168.1.1:80 - Vulnerability Found: CVE-2021-1234
[*] Exploit suggestion: Upgrade to the latest version
Explanation:
This output lists a specific vulnerability found on the target, identified by its CVE number.
Analyzing Scan Results
Sample Output
Open Ports:
- 22/tcp open ssh
- 80/tcp open http
Vulnerabilities:
- CVE-2021-1234: Exploitable on port 80
Explanation
- Open Ports: The list of open ports indicates active services, which could be potential entry points for exploitation.
- Vulnerabilities: The presence of a CVE suggests that there is a known exploit for that service, highlighting the need for security measures.
Use Cases
- Network Security Auditing: Use Metasploit for vulnerability scanning of your network to identify weak points and ensure compliance with security policies.
- Web Application Testing: Scan web applications hosted on your servers to find vulnerabilities like SQL injection or XSS.
- Penetration Testing Training: Utilize Metasploit in educational environments to teach students about vulnerability scanning and penetration testing methodologies.
Conclusion
Using Metasploit for vulnerability scanning in Termux can greatly enhance your mobile security assessment capabilities. With this guide, you can now install Metasploit and perform scans to identify vulnerabilities on target systems.
References
Ethical Hacking Archive
Welcome to the  Termux Ethical Hacking Archive. This dedicated archive is your go-to resource for everything related to ethical hacking using Termux, a powerful terminal emulator for Android. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to deepen your expertise, this archive provides a complete collection of articles to guide you through the essential aspects of ethical hacking with Termux.
