exploiting

You can search exploits using the search command, obtain more information about the exploit using the info command, and launch the exploit using exploit. While the process itself is simple, remember that a successful outcome depends on a thorough understanding of services running on the target system. Most of the exploits will have a preset default payload. However, you can always use the show payloads command to list other commands you can use with that specific exploit.

Available payloads
msf6 exploit(windows/smb/ms17_010_eternalblue) > show payloads 

Compatible Payloads
===================

   #   Name                                        Disclosure Date  Rank    Check  Description
   -   ----                                        ---------------  ----    -----  -----------
   0   generic/custom                                               manual  No     Custom Payload
   1   generic/shell_bind_tcp                                       manual  No     Generic Command Shell, Bind TCP Inline
   2   generic/shell_reverse_tcp                                    manual  No     Generic Command Shell, Reverse TCP Inline
   3   windows/x64/exec                                             manual  No     Windows x64 Execute Command
   4   windows/x64/loadlibrary                                      manual  No     Windows x64 LoadLibrary Path
   5   windows/x64/messagebox                                       manual  No     Windows MessageBox x64
   6   windows/x64/meterpreter/bind_ipv6_tcp                        manual  No     Windows Meterpreter (Reflective Injection x64), Windows x64 IPv6 Bind TCP Stager
   7   windows/x64/meterpreter/bind_ipv6_tcp_uuid                   manual  No     Windows Meterpreter (Reflective Injection x64), Windows x64 IPv6 Bind TCP Stager with UUID Support
   8   windows/x64/meterpreter/bind_named_pipe                      manual  No     Windows Meterpreter (Reflective Injection x64), Windows x64 Bind Named Pipe Stager
   9   windows/x64/meterpreter/bind_tcp                             manual  No     Windows Meterpreter (Reflective Injection x64), Windows x64 Bind TCP Stager
   10  windows/x64/meterpreter/bind_tcp_rc4                         manual  No     Windows Meterpreter (Reflective Injection x64), Bind TCP Stager (RC4 Stage Encryption, Metasm)

Once you have decided on the payload, you can use the set payload command to make your choice.

Note that choosing a working payload could become a trial and error process due to environmental or OS restrictions such as firewall rules, anti-virus, file writing, or the program performing the payload execution isn't available (eg. payload/python/shell_reverse_tcp).

Some payloads will open new parameters that you may need to set, running the show options command once more can show these. As you can see in the above example, a reverse payload will at least require you to set the LHOST option.

Setting the LHOST value and running the exploit

Once a session is opened, you can background it using CTRL+Z or abort it using CTRL+C. Backgrounding a session will be useful when working on more than one target simultaneously or on the same target with a different exploit and/or shell.

Working with sessions

The sessions command will list all active sessions. The sessions command supports a number of options that will help you manage sessions better.

Sessions help menu

You can interact with any existing session using the sessions -i command followed by the session ID.

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