In today’s digital landscape, social engineering attacks have become increasingly prevalent. These attacks exploit human psychology rather than technical vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. One of the powerful tools used in these types of attacks is the Social Engineering Toolkit (SET), which is available in Kali Linux.
In this article, we’ll explore the concept of social engineering attacks and provide a step-by-step guide on how to use the Social Engineering Toolkit to simulate a credential harvester attack.
What is Social Engineering?
Social engineering refers to the manipulation of individuals into performing actions or divulging confidential information, often by deceiving them into believing they are interacting with a trusted entity. Unlike traditional hacking methods that target software or hardware vulnerabilities, social engineering preys on human error and trust.
Common Types of Social Engineering Attacks
- Phishing: The attacker impersonates a legitimate entity through email or websites to steal sensitive data such as usernames and passwords.
- Pretexting: The attacker creates a fabricated scenario to obtain information from the target.
- Baiting: The attacker entices the target with something appealing to extract confidential information.
- Tailgating: The attacker gains physical access to a restricted area by following authorized personnel.
Social Engineering Toolkit (SET)
The Social Engineering Toolkit (SET) is a penetration testing framework designed for social engineering attacks. It provides various options for performing attacks such as phishing and credential harvesting. SET is included in Kali Linux, a popular distribution used for security testing.
Setting Up the Social Engineering Toolkit
To get started with SET, follow these steps to configure and run a credential harvester attack. Ensure you have Kali Linux installed and properly configured.
Step 1: Open Kali Linux and Launch SET
- Open Kali Linux OS: Start by booting up your Kali Linux system.
- Access Social Engineering Toolkit:
- Graphical Interface: Navigate to the applications menu. From there, select Social Engineering Tools and then Social Engineering Toolkit.
- Terminal Command: Alternatively, open a terminal and run the following command:
Command: sudo setoolkit
Step 2: Select the Social Engineering Attacks Menu
Once SET is launched, you will be presented with a menu. To proceed with a social engineering attack, follow these commands:
- Choose Social-Engineering Attacks:
Command: set> 1
Step 3: Select Website Attack Vectors
Next, you will need to choose the type of attack vector you want to use. The Web Attack module typically refers to a comprehensive approach that combines various web-based attack methods to target and compromise individuals or systems.
Command: set> 2
Step 4: Choose Credential Harvester Attack Method
Within the website attack vectors, select the credential harvester method. The Credential Harvester method involves creating a fake version of a legitimate website with the goal of tricking users into entering their login credentials
Command: set:webattack> 3
Step 5: Select Web Templates
You will be prompted to choose a web template for the cloned website. The first method enables the import of a pre-defined list of web applications. This feature allows SET to utilize these applications during an attack, facilitating more streamlined and targeted web-based attacks by leveraging a curated set of web application templates and scenarios
Command: set:webattack> 1
Step 6: Enter the IP Address for POST Back functionality in the Harvester/Tabnabbing attack techniques
This address typically represents a local or internal server where harvested data, such as credentials or form submissions, are sent. In these attacks, POST back refers to the process of sending collected information from a fake or cloned web page to the attacker’s server for further exploitation.
Enter the IP Address:
Command: set:webattack>192.168.148.134
Step 7: Select the Target Website
Now, choose the website you want to clone. In this example, we will clone Twitter:
Select Twitter:
Command: set:webattack> Select a template: 3
Step 8: Access the Cloned Website
Once the setup is complete, the cloned website will be hosted on the attacker’s IP address. Open a web browser and navigate to the attacker’s IP/domain to view the cloned site.
Step 9: Enter Credentials
To test the setup, enter a username and password on the cloned website and click the “Sign In” button.
Step 10: Monitor Captured Credentials
To view the captured credentials, open the terminal window in Kali Linux where SET is running. You should see the usernames and passwords that victims have entered on the cloned website.
Conclusion
Social engineering attacks, while reliant on psychological manipulation, can be simulated effectively using tools like the Social Engineering Toolkit (SET). By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can set up a credential harvesting attack to understand how such attacks are executed and learn to defend against them.
Understanding and practicing these techniques in a controlled and ethical environment helps security professionals to better prepare and protect systems from real-world social engineering threats. Always ensure you have proper authorization and follow legal guidelines when conducting any form of penetration testing or security assessment.
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