System hacking is, however the act of gaining access, unauthorized to a computer system or network and exploiting vulnerabilities found in it for malicious purposes. Hackers who commit such an act can gain access, steal sensitive data alter it or destroy it, or they might use the system to penetrate other systems. Most usually, system hacking will proceed in several stages, involving such steps as reconnaissance and information gathering, exploitation and even maintaining access.
Below is a step-by-step breakdown of system hacking, including common methods, phases, and tools used.
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### **Phases of System Hacking**
1. **Reconnaissance (Information Gathering)**
- **Goal**: The first phase of hacking is to gather as much information as possible regarding the target system. It can include details about system architecture, services running, and network structure.
- **Methods**:
- **Passive Reconnaissance**: The collection of publicly available information that is done without interaction with the target system. It includes WHOIS queries, social media research, public databases, and any exposed information on the web (for example, email addresses, software versions).
- **Active Reconnaissance**: Direct interaction with the target system. This involves scanning the network, open ports, and discovering the services running on those ports.
- **Tools**:
- **WHOIS**, **Nslookup** (for domain and DNS information)
- **Shodan**, **Google Dorking** (for finding vulnerable systems)
- **Nmap** (for scanning networks and ports)
2. **Scanning and Enumeration**
- **Objective**: The attacker does more detailed probing of the target system to find vulnerabilities that could be exploited.
- **Methods**:
- **Network Scanning**: Detecting live systems and devices on the network using tools like Nmap.
- **Port Scanning**: Finding open ports on the target system. Open ports give precious information about the services or applications running on the target.
- **Service Enumeration**: Once the open ports have been identified, the attacker can identify which services are running, such as HTTP, FTP, SSH, and gather further information on versions, configurations, and potential flaws.
- **Vulnerability Scanning**: Use automated scanners like **Nessus**, **OpenVAS**, or **Nikto** to enumerate vulnerabilities in the system.
- **Tools**
- **Nmap**, **Zenmap**: network scanning and port
- **Nessus**, **OpenVAS**: for vulnerability scanning
3. **Gaining Access (Exploitation)**
- **Goal**: The hacking is done through an exploited or weak point in the system to steal access. This is where things get really "hackerish."
- **Techniques**
- **Exploiting Vulnerabilities in Software**: Here, vulnerabilities in software become a means to achieve your goal. For instance, hackers can use un-patched systems or outdated versions of software like an un-patched web server or application in order to take control over the system.
- **Password Cracking**: One of the most easy to enter points would be weak or default passwords. Attackers employ techniques like **brute-force attacks**, **dictionary attacks**, or **rainbow tables** in order to crack passwords.
- **Social Engineering**: The attacker does not directly attack the system but convinces a user to reveal his credentials or download malware. Techniques are phishing, baiting, or impersonation.
- **Privilege Escalation**: Once an attacker gains low-level access, he may try to escalate his privileges to admin or root level, which will make him master the system.
- **Tools**:
- **Metasploit** for exploiting known vulnerabilities
- **Hydra**, **John the Ripper** for cracking passwords
- **Social Engineering Toolkit (SET)** (for phishing and social engineering)
- **Mimikatz** (for credential harvesting on Windows systems)
4. **Maintaining Access (Post-Exploitation)
- **Goal**: Once inside, the attacker will try to maintain access to the system for future use, even if the system is patched or the initial vulnerability is fixed.
- **Methods**:
- **Backdoors**: Installing backdoors (malicious software or programs) to retain access. These backdoors often run silently in the background, allowing attackers to access the system later.
- **Web Shells**: For web servers, attackers may upload a web shell (a script that allows remote control of the server) to maintain access.
- **Rootkits**: Rootkits are harmful software. Their purpose is to disguise the presence of the hacker and all activities performed on the attacked machine. These rootkits conceal processes, files, or system changes.
Keyloggers
Software logs keystrokes in an exploited computer, likely capturing password login credentials as well as other personal details.
- **Privilege Escalation**: Once the attacker has obtained limited privilege access, they may now be able to escalate all of their privileges and, thereby, gain complete control of the system.
- Tools
- **Netcat**, **Meterpreter** (for creating reverse shells and maintaining access)
- **Backdoors** (e.g., custom malware, reverse shell)
- **Rootkits** (e.g., Blackhat rootkit tools)
- **Keyloggers** (e.g., **Ardamax**, **Refog**)
5. **Covering Tracks (Stealth and Evasion)**
- **Objective**: The hacker tries to cover their actions to avoid detection. This involves hiding traces of their attack or malicious activity, which might otherwise alert system administrators or security monitoring systems.
- **Methods**:
- **Cleaning Logs**: System logs, including authentication logs, file access logs, and error logs, are often deleted or modified by attackers to cover their tracks.
- **Disabling Security Systems**: IDS/IPS, antivirus software, or firewalls may be disabled or circumvented to prevent detection.
- **Rootkits**: In addition to hiding access, rootkits can hide malware and backdoors traces by hiding their processes and files.
- **Encryption**: The attacker can encrypt communication with the compromised system so that network monitoring tools do not detect it.
- **Tools**:
- **Log-clearing scripts** to erase or modify logs
- **Rootkits** (for hiding activity from the system)
- **Encryption tools** (TrueCrypt, SSL/TLS for communications)
6. **Exfiltration and Impact**
- **Objective**: The attacker will most likely extract valuable data or make the system unusable (depending on the attacker's goal). It might be stealing sensitive information, compromising data integrity, or causing damage to the target system.
- **Methods**:
- **Data Thefts**: After gaining full control, hackers can steal sensitive information in the form of personally identifiable information, intellectual properties, or even financial details.
- **DoS Attacks**: The cyber hacker can use this level to create traffic or flooding or overload to deny any operation within the target system.
- **Data Deletion or Ransom**: The attacker deletes or encrypts the data and demands a ransom to recover the data (ransomware).
- **Pivoting**: The attackers use the compromised system as a pivot to launch attacks against other systems within the network.
Tools:
- **Mimikatz**-to steal credentials
- **Exfiltration tools** (e.g., **FTP**, **Wget**)
- **Ransomware** (e.g., **Locky**, **WannaCry**)
- **Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS)** tools (e.g., **LOIC**, **HOIC**)
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### **Ethical Hacking (Penetration Testing)**
In addition to malicious hackers (black-hat hackers), ethical hackers (also known as **white-hat hackers**) follow a similar methodology but with the goal of identifying vulnerabilities and fixing them before cybercriminals can exploit them. Ethical hacking involves the following key steps:
- **Permission**: Ethical hackers are authorized by the organization to perform security testing.
- **Report Findings**: Ethical hackers document their findings, report vulnerabilities, and suggest mitigation strategies.
- No Harm-ethical hackers will ensure that no system was damaged, data stolen or the organization disrupted as a result of their tests.
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Conclusion
System hacking is a complex process of actions, from the gathering of information and scanning vulnerabilities to exploiting weaknesses and the maintenance of control over compromised systems. It is a dynamic activity that requires in-depth knowledge of computer systems, networks, and security protocols. Such knowledge is critical for system defenders, as it may help them recognize attack patterns and implement proper safeguards protecting systems from unauthorized access.
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