What this book covers

Chapter 1, Introduction to Metasploit and Supporting Tools, introduces the reader to concepts such as vulnerability assessment and penetration testing. Then, the reader would understand the need for a penetration testing framework along with a brief introduction to the Metasploit Framework. Moving ahead, the chapter explains how the Metasploit Framework can be effectively used across all stages of the penetration testing lifecycle along with some supporting tools that extend the Metasploit Framework's capability.

Chapter 2, Setting up Your Environment, essentially guides on setting up the environment for the Metasploit Framework. This includes setting up the Kali Linux virtual machine, independently installing the Metasploit Framework on various platforms, such as Windows and Linux, and setting up exploitable or vulnerable targets in the virtual environment.

Chapter 3, Metasploit Components and Environment Configuration, covers the structure and anatomy of the Metasploit Framework followed by the introduction to various Metasploit components. This chapter also covers the local and global variable configuration along with procedure to keep the Metasploit Framework updated.

Chapter 4, Information Gathering with Metasploit, lays the foundation for information gathering and enumeration with the Metasploit Framework. It covers information gathering and enumeration for various protocols such as TCP, UDP, FTP, SMB, HTTP, SSH, DNS, and RDP. It also covers extended usage of the Metasploit Framework for password sniffing along with the advanced search for vulnerable systems using Shodan integration.

Chapter 5, Vulnerability Hunting with Metasploit, starts with instructions on setting up the Metasploit database. Then, it provides insights on vulnerability scanning and exploiting using NMAP, Nessus and the Metasploit Framework concluding with post-exploitation capabilities of the Metasploit Framework.

Chapter 6, Client-side Attacks with Metasploit, introduces key terminology related to client-side attacks. It then covers the usage of the msfvenom utility to generate custom payloads along with the Social Engineering Toolkit. The chapter concludes with advanced browser-based attacks using the browser_autopwn auxiliary module.

Chapter 7, Web Application Scanning with Metasploit, covers the procedure of setting up a vulnerable web application. It then covers the wmap module within the Metasploit Framework for web application vulnerability scanning and concludes with some additional Metasploit auxiliary modules that can be useful in web application security assessment.

Chapter 8, Antivirus Evasion and Anti-Forensics, covers the various techniques to avoid payload getting detected by various antivirus programs. These techniques include the use of encoders, binary packages, and encryptors. The chapter also introduces various concepts for testing the payloads and then concludes with various anti-forensic features of the Metasploit Framework.

Chapter 9, Cyber Attack Management with Armitage, introduces a cyberattack management tool “Armitage” that can be effectively used along with the Metasploit framework for performing complex penetration testing tasks. This chapter covers the various aspects of the Armitage tool, including opening the console, performing scanning and enumeration, finding suitable attacks, and exploiting the target.

Chapter 10, Extending Metasploit & Exploit Development, introduces the various exploit development concepts followed by how the Metasploit Framework could be extended by adding external exploits. The chapter concludes by briefing about the Metasploit exploit templates and mixins that can be readily utilized for custom exploit development.