Automating Metasploit Core Commands For Android Payloads

Hey guys! Ever found yourself wishing you could automate those essential Metasploit commands when exploiting an Android device? You're not alone! Many of us want to streamline our workflow, especially when it comes to tasks like geolocation, call log extraction, and more. So, let's dive into how you can set up autorun scripts for core commands in Metasploit, specifically for Android payloads. This guide will help you create a more efficient and automated penetration testing process. We’ll cover everything from understanding the Metasploit framework to crafting the perfect autorun script. By the end, you'll be automating like a pro! Let's get started and make your life a whole lot easier!

Understanding Metasploit Autorun Scripts

First, let's get the basics down. Metasploit autorun scripts are your secret weapon for automating tasks. They allow you to execute a series of commands automatically when a session is established. This is super handy, especially when you're dealing with Android payloads and want to quickly gather information or perform specific actions. Think of it as setting up a pre-flight checklist for your exploitation process. You define what needs to happen, and the script takes care of it without you having to manually enter each command. This not only saves time but also ensures consistency in your approach. Imagine you always want to grab the geolocation, dump call logs, and check for installed apps immediately after gaining access to a device. An autorun script makes this a breeze!

Why Use Autorun Scripts?

So, why bother with autorun scripts? Well, there are several compelling reasons. For starters, they drastically reduce the time you spend on repetitive tasks. Instead of typing the same commands every time you gain a new session, you can let the script handle it. This is especially useful in situations where time is of the essence. Secondly, autorun scripts minimize the risk of human error. We all make mistakes, especially when we're under pressure or multitasking. By automating tasks, you ensure that commands are executed correctly and in the right order. This can be crucial for maintaining the integrity of your operation and avoiding unwanted outcomes. Moreover, using autorun scripts makes your workflow more consistent. You can be sure that the same set of actions will be performed every time, making it easier to compare results and identify patterns. Finally, autorun scripts are a great way to document your process. By looking at the script, you can quickly see what actions are being taken, making it easier to troubleshoot and share your methodology with others.

Core vs. Post Modules

Now, let’s talk about the difference between core commands and post modules in Metasploit. This distinction is key to understanding why automating core commands can be a bit tricky. Core commands are those fundamental commands built into the Metasploit console itself. Think of commands like sysinfo, getuid, and sessions. These are the workhorses that help you interact with the target system and manage your sessions. Post modules, on the other hand, are specialized modules that run after you've established a session. They perform specific tasks like gathering system information, escalating privileges, or dumping credentials. Examples include geolocate, dump_calllog, and multi_console_command. The crucial difference is that post modules are designed to be run within the context of a Meterpreter session, and they have built-in support for automation through resource scripts and autorun settings. Core commands, however, don't have this direct support, which is why we need a slightly different approach to automate them.

Setting Up Autorun Scripts for Core Commands

Alright, let's get down to the nitty-gritty of setting up autorun scripts for core commands. This involves a few steps, but don’t worry, we’ll walk through it together. The main idea is to leverage Metasploit's resource scripts and some clever command chaining to achieve our goal. Resource scripts are simple text files containing a series of Metasploit commands. When you run the script, Metasploit executes these commands in sequence. This is the foundation for our automation. We'll create a resource script that includes the core commands we want to run, along with commands to interact with the session. The challenge is to ensure that these core commands are executed within the context of the Meterpreter session we establish with the Android device. To do this, we'll use the sessions -i command to interact with the session and then execute our core commands. Let’s break down the process step by step.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Create a Resource Script: The first step is to create a resource script. This is simply a text file with the .rc extension. You can use any text editor to create this file. In the script, you'll list the commands you want to automate. For example, if you want to run sysinfo, getuid, and geolocate, your script might look like this:

   sessions -i 1
   

sysinfo getuid run post/android/gather/geolocate run post/android/gather/dump_calllog exit ```

Here, `sessions -i 1` tells Metasploit to interact with session ID 1. The `sysinfo` and `getuid` commands are core commands, while `run post/android/gather/geolocate` and `run post/android/gather/dump_calllog` are post module commands. The `exit` command is crucial to properly terminate the session interaction after running the commands. Make sure to save this file with a `.rc` extension, for example, `autorun.rc`.

2. Set the AutorunScript Option: Next, you need to tell Metasploit to run this script when a new session is established. You can do this by setting the AutorunScript option in your Metasploit configuration. There are a couple of ways to do this. You can set it globally, so it applies to all sessions, or you can set it for a specific exploit. To set it globally, you can add the following line to your msfconsole.rc file (usually located in ~/.msf4/):

   setg AutorunScript /path/to/your/autorun.rc
   

   Replace /path/to/your/autorun.rc with the actual path to your script. Alternatively, you can set the AutorunScript option within your exploit configuration. This is useful if you only want the script to run for a specific exploit. For example:

   use exploit/your/exploit
   set AutorunScript /path/to/your/autorun.rc
   exploit
   

   This approach gives you more flexibility, as you can use different autorun scripts for different exploits.

3. Launch Metasploit and Exploit: Now, launch Metasploit and run your exploit. When a session is established, Metasploit will automatically execute the commands in your autorun script. You should see the output of the commands in the Metasploit console. For example, you'll see the system information, user ID, geolocation data, and call logs being dumped. This confirms that your autorun script is working as expected.

4. Troubleshooting: If things aren't working as expected, don't panic! There are a few common issues to check. First, make sure the path to your autorun script is correct. A simple typo can prevent the script from running. Second, check the syntax of your script. An error in the script can cause it to fail. You can run the script manually using the resource command in Metasploit to check for errors. For example:

   resource /path/to/your/autorun.rc
   

   This will execute the script and show any error messages. Finally, ensure that you are interacting with the correct session. The sessions -i command should specify the session ID of the Meterpreter session you want to interact with. If you have multiple sessions, make sure you're targeting the right one.

Advanced Techniques and Tips

Want to take your autorun scripts to the next level? Here are some advanced techniques and tips to help you become a Metasploit automation master. These strategies will not only make your scripts more efficient but also more robust and adaptable to different scenarios. Let's explore how you can add conditional logic, handle errors, and use variables to create truly dynamic autorun scripts.

Conditional Logic

Adding conditional logic to your autorun scripts allows them to make decisions based on the state of the target system. This can be incredibly powerful for tailoring your actions to specific environments. For example, you might want to run certain commands only if the target device has a specific version of Android or if a particular app is installed. Metasploit doesn't have built-in support for conditional statements in resource scripts, but you can achieve similar results by using the msfconsole's ability to execute shell commands. You can use shell commands to check conditions and then use the echo command to write commands back into the Metasploit console. Here’s a basic example:

cmd_exec "shell getprop ro.build.version.release | grep '10' && echo 'run post/android/gather/wlan_keys' >> /tmp/msf_commands.rc"
resource /tmp/msf_commands.rc

In this example, we're using the shell command to execute a shell command on the target device. The command getprop ro.build.version.release retrieves the Android version, and grep '10' checks if it contains '10' (indicating Android 10). If the condition is true, the echo command writes run post/android/gather/wlan_keys to a temporary resource script file (/tmp/msf_commands.rc). Finally, we use the resource command to execute this temporary script. This effectively runs the wlan_keys post module only if the target device is running Android 10. This technique can be extended to more complex scenarios, allowing you to create scripts that adapt to different target environments.

Error Handling

Error handling is another crucial aspect of advanced autorun scripts. No script is perfect, and things can go wrong for various reasons. The target system might be in an unexpected state, a command might fail, or a network connection might drop. Without proper error handling, your script could terminate prematurely, leaving you with incomplete results. Metasploit doesn't have a built-in error handling mechanism in resource scripts, but you can use shell commands and conditional logic to implement basic error checking. For example, you can check the output of a command and take action if it fails. Here’s an example:

cmd_exec "shell command_that_might_fail 2>&1 > /tmp/output.txt; if grep -q 'error' /tmp/output.txt; then echo 'echo Command failed!' >> /tmp/msf_commands.rc; fi"
resource /tmp/msf_commands.rc

In this example, we're executing a command that might fail (command_that_might_fail) and redirecting both standard output and standard error to a file (/tmp/output.txt). Then, we use grep to check if the file contains the word 'error'. If it does, we echo a message to the console. This is a simple example, but it illustrates the basic idea. You can use more sophisticated techniques to check for specific error codes or messages and take appropriate actions, such as retrying the command, logging the error, or exiting the script gracefully.

Using Variables

Variables can make your autorun scripts more flexible and reusable. They allow you to store values and use them throughout the script. This is particularly useful when you need to refer to the same value multiple times or when you want to parameterize your script. Metasploit doesn't have built-in support for variables in resource scripts, but you can use shell commands and the set command to simulate variables. Here’s an example:

cmd_exec "shell getprop ro.build.version.release > /tmp/android_version.txt"
cmd_exec "shell ANDROID_VERSION=$(cat /tmp/android_version.txt); echo set ANDROID_VERSION \"$ANDROID_VERSION\" >> /tmp/msf_commands.rc"
resource /tmp/msf_commands.rc
echo The Android version is: %ANDROID_VERSION%

In this example, we're retrieving the Android version using getprop and storing it in a file (/tmp/android_version.txt). Then, we use shell commands to read the value from the file and set a Metasploit variable (ANDROID_VERSION). Finally, we use the echo command to display the value of the variable. This technique allows you to use the Android version in other commands within your script. For example, you could use it in conditional logic to run different commands based on the Android version. Variables can also be used to store other types of values, such as IP addresses, usernames, or passwords, making your scripts more versatile.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Even with the best planning, things can sometimes go wrong. Let’s look at some common issues you might encounter when setting up autorun scripts for core commands and how to troubleshoot them. Addressing these issues proactively can save you a lot of time and frustration. We'll cover problems like script syntax errors, incorrect paths, session handling, and permission issues, providing practical solutions to get your scripts running smoothly.

Script Syntax Errors

One of the most common issues is script syntax errors. A simple typo or a missing quotation mark can cause your script to fail. Metasploit is quite strict about syntax, so it’s essential to be meticulous when writing your scripts. When you encounter an error, the first step is to carefully review your script for any syntax mistakes. Check for typos, missing or extra spaces, incorrect command names, and mismatched quotes. A good practice is to use a text editor with syntax highlighting, which can help you spot errors more easily. Another helpful technique is to run the script manually using the resource command in Metasploit. This will often provide more detailed error messages, pointing you directly to the line where the error occurred. For example, if you have a script named autorun.rc, you can run it with the command resource autorun.rc. If there’s a syntax error, Metasploit will display an error message, often including the line number and a description of the problem. Pay close attention to these messages, as they can be very informative. Remember, even experienced users make syntax errors, so don’t get discouraged. The key is to be systematic and persistent in your troubleshooting.

Incorrect Paths

Another common issue is specifying incorrect paths in your script. This can happen when you’re referencing files or modules that Metasploit can’t find. For example, if you’re trying to run a post module, but you’ve misspelled the path, Metasploit won’t be able to load the module. Similarly, if you’re trying to load a resource script, but the path is incorrect, Metasploit will fail to execute the script. To troubleshoot path issues, double-check all the paths in your script. Make sure they are spelled correctly and that the files or modules actually exist in the specified locations. Use absolute paths whenever possible, as this eliminates any ambiguity about the location of the files. For example, instead of using a relative path like my_script.rc, use the full path, such as /home/user/metasploit/my_script.rc. This ensures that Metasploit can always find the file, regardless of the current working directory. You can also use the pwd command in Metasploit to check the current working directory, which can help you understand how relative paths are being resolved. If you’re still having trouble, try listing the contents of the directory using the ls command to verify that the file or module is indeed present. Correcting path issues often involves careful attention to detail, but it’s a crucial step in ensuring that your scripts run correctly.

Session Handling

Session handling can also be a source of problems when automating core commands. Core commands often need to be executed within the context of an active session, and if the session isn’t properly selected, the commands might fail. A common mistake is forgetting to use the sessions -i command to interact with a specific session. If you run core commands without selecting a session, Metasploit won’t know which target to interact with, and the commands will likely fail. To troubleshoot session handling issues, make sure that your script includes the sessions -i command to select the correct session before running any core commands. Verify that the session ID you’re specifying is valid. You can use the sessions command to list the active sessions and their IDs. If the session ID is incorrect or the session has terminated, the commands will fail. Another potential issue is that the session might not be fully initialized when the script tries to run core commands. This can happen if the script is executed too quickly after the session is established. To address this, you can add a short delay using the sleep command to give the session time to initialize. For example, adding sleep 2 will pause the script for two seconds. Proper session handling is essential for reliable automation, so always double-check that you’re interacting with the correct session and that it’s fully initialized before running core commands.

Permission Issues

Permission issues can prevent your autorun scripts from executing commands or accessing files. If the target system doesn’t have the necessary permissions, the commands will fail. This is particularly common when you’re trying to perform actions that require root privileges. For example, if you’re trying to dump system files or escalate privileges, but the session doesn’t have root access, the commands will fail. To troubleshoot permission issues, first check the user context of the session. You can use the getuid command to determine the current user. If the user is not root, you’ll need to escalate privileges. Metasploit has several post modules that can be used for privilege escalation, such as post/multi/escalate/getsystem. You can use these modules to try to gain root access. However, keep in mind that privilege escalation is not always possible, as it depends on the vulnerabilities present on the target system. Another potential issue is file permissions. If your script is trying to access a file that the current user doesn’t have permission to read or write, the script will fail. Check the file permissions using the ls -l command and adjust them if necessary. If you’re running into permission issues, carefully consider the actions your script is trying to perform and ensure that the session has the necessary privileges. Privilege escalation and file permission management are key aspects of successful penetration testing.

Conclusion

So, there you have it! Automating core commands in Metasploit for Android payloads might seem a bit tricky at first, but with the right approach, it's totally achievable. By using resource scripts and understanding the nuances of core vs. post modules, you can create efficient and time-saving workflows. We've covered everything from setting up basic autorun scripts to advanced techniques like conditional logic, error handling, and using variables. Remember to pay attention to common issues like syntax errors, incorrect paths, session handling, and permission problems. With a bit of practice, you'll be automating your Metasploit tasks like a pro. Now, go forth and streamline your penetration testing process!