Information Gathering
The phase of collecting information is an important part in our process. We are especially looking for information concerning the configuration of the system, so we can take advantage of potential shortcomings. For example, a cronjob may have been created in a Linux system where root executes script X every hour. If, however, all system users are allowed to write to this script, we can easily gain root privileges. A simple way would be to include our current user in the sudoers group.
The misconfiguration in the above scenario - and thus our prized conquest - could only be identified by us by gathering information about users (root), files (script X) and services (cronjob). Therefore, as soon as we gain access to a system, we should at least look for the information listed below. We should also mention here that the basic purpose of the following Linux commands can be transferred to other operating systems.
Information about users
- id
- sudo -l
- cat /etc/passwd
- cat /etc/shadow
- cat /etc/group
- cat /etc/sudoers
Information about files and services
- cat /etc/crontab
- cat /etc/cron/
- find / -uid 0 -perm -u=s -type f 2>/dev/null
- grep -ir pass /*
- ls -ahlR /root/
- ls -ahlR /home/
- ps aux
Information about the network
- ip addr show
- hostname
- ss -antp
- iptables -L
- cat /etc/resolv.conf
Information about the kernel
- lsb_release -a
- uname -a
Pentest Training
Take a look at the pentest training chapters and learn penetration testing:
- Preface
- Introduction
- Legal Framework
- Hacking vs. Penetration Testing
- Classification
- Meaningfulness of Penetration Tests
- Penetration Testing Standards
- The Hacking Guide
- Hacking I: Scanning networks
- Hacking II: Password attacks
- Hacking III: Web application attacks
- Hacking IV: Privilege Escalation
- Hacking V: Tunnelling Techniques
- Hacking VI: Vulnerability scanner and penetration testing frameworks
- Demonstration of a Penetration Test
- Risk Assessment of Identified Vulnerabilities
- Structure of Documentation and Reporting
- Insider stories: Tales from Dubius Payment Ltd.
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