Metasploit

The Metasploit Project is a computer security project that provides information about security vulnerabilities and aids in penetration testing and IDS signature development. It is owned by Rapid7, a Boston, Massachusetts-based security company.[4][5]

Its best-known sub-project is the open-source[3] Metasploit Framework, a tool for developing and executing exploit code against a remote target machine. Other important sub-projects include the Opcode Database, shellcode archive and related research.

The Metasploit Project includes anti-forensic and evasion tools, some of which are built into the Metasploit Framework. In various operating systems it comes pre installed.

History

Metasploit was created by H. D. Moore in 2003 as a portable network tool using Perl.

Interfaces

There are several interfaces for Metasploit available. The most popular are maintained by Rapid7 and Strategic Cyber LLC.[13]

Metasploit Framework (Open Source Edition)

The Metasploit Framework is the freely available, open-source edition of the Metasploit Project.

It provides tools for vulnerability assessment and exploit development including:

The Metasploit Framework is implemented in Ruby and uses a modular software architecture.[14]

A command-line interface for controlling exploit modules.
Database for managing scan data and exploit results.
Import of network scan results from external scanning utilities such as Nmap.
Scanning support using the integrated `db_nmap` feature for automated execution and data integration.
Over 1,500 built-in exploits, with the ability of adding custom exploit modules or automated resource scripts.

Pro

In October 2010, Rapid7 added Metasploit Pro, an open-core commercial Metasploit edition for penetration testers. Metasploit Pro adds onto Metasploit Express with features such as Quick Start Wizards/MetaModules, building and managing social engineering campaigns, web application testing, an advanced Pro Console, dynamic payloads for anti-virus evasion, integration with Nexpose for ad-hoc vulnerability scans, and VPN pivoting.

Discontinued editions

Community

The edition was released in October 2011, and included a free, web-based user interface for Metasploit. Metasploit Community Edition was based on the commercial functionality of the paid-for editions with a reduced set of features, including network discovery, module browsing and manual exploitation. Metasploit Community was included in the main installer.

On July 18, 2019, Rapid7 announced the end-of-sale of Metasploit Community Edition.[15] Existing users were able to continue using it until their license expired.

Express

The edition was released in April 2010, and was an open-core commercial edition for security teams who need to verify vulnerabilities. It offers a graphical user interface, It integrated nmap for discovery, and added smart brute-forcing as well as automated evidence collection.

On June 4, 2019, Rapid7 discontinued Metasploit Express Edition.[16]

Community

On July 18, 2019, Rapid7 announced the end-of-sale of Metasploit Community Edition.[15] Existing users were able to continue using it until their license expired.

Express

On June 4, 2019, Rapid7 discontinued Metasploit Express Edition.[16]

Armitage

Armitage is a graphical cyber attack management tool for the Metasploit Project that visualizes targets and recommends exploits. It is a free and open source network security tool notable for its contributions to red team collaboration allowing for shared sessions, data, and communication through a single Metasploit instance.[17]

The latest release of Armitage was in 2015.

Cobalt Strike

Cobalt Strike is a collection of threat emulation tools provided by Fortra to work with the Metasploit Framework.[18] Cobalt Strike includes all features of Armitage and adds post-exploitation tools, in addition to report generation features.[19]

screenshot	Metasploit-Community.png
screenshot size	300px
author	H. D. Moore
developer	Rapid7, Inc.
released	2003‡R1R‡
latest release version	6.4.59‡R2R‡
repo	https://github.com/rapid7
programming language	Ruby
operating system	Cross-platform
genre	Security
license	Framework: BSD,‡R3R‡ Community/Express/Pro: Proprietary
website	https://www.metasploit.com/

History

Framework

Interfaces

Metasploit Framework (Open Source Edition)

Pro

Discontinued editions

Community

Express

Community

Express

Armitage

Cobalt Strike

Exploits

Payloads

Auxiliary modules

Contributors

See also

Further reading

External links

References