20 Metasploit Interview Questions and Answers

Metasploit is a powerful open-source tool used by security professionals to test the security of systems and applications. If you are interviewing for a position in information security, it is likely that you will be asked questions about Metasploit. Knowing how to answer these questions can help you demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in the field. In this article, we review some of the most common Metasploit interview questions and provide tips on how to answer them.

Metasploit Interview Questions and Answers

Here are 20 commonly asked Metasploit interview questions and answers to prepare you for your interview:

1. What is Metasploit?

Metasploit is a free and open source exploitation framework that can be used to launch attacks against a system. It can be used to exploit vulnerabilities in order to gain access to a system, or to launch denial of service attacks. Metasploit can be used to launch attacks against Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X systems.

2. How do you identify possible targets for a penetration test using Metasploit?

Metasploit has a few different ways that you can identify possible targets for a penetration test. The first is by using the “db_nmap” command, which will allow you to scan a range of IP addresses and ports to find potential targets. You can also use the “db_autopwn” command, which will automatically launch an exploit against any open ports that it finds. Finally, you can use the “db_hosts” command, which will allow you to manually add hosts that you want to target.

3. Can you explain what an exploit is and how it works in the context of Metasploit?

An exploit is a piece of code that takes advantage of a vulnerability in a software program in order to cause unintended or unexpected behavior. In the context of Metasploit, an exploit is used to gain access to a system that would otherwise be inaccessible. Metasploit comes with a large number of ready-to-use exploits, which makes it a powerful tool for penetration testing and security research.

4. What’s the difference between an exploit and auxiliary module?

An exploit module is used to take advantage of a specific vulnerability in order to gain access to a system, while an auxiliary module can be used for a variety of purposes, such as scanning for vulnerabilities, denial of service attacks, or collecting information about a system.

5. Can you explain what payloads are in the context of Metasploit?

Payloads are components of the Metasploit Framework that allow you to control a compromised machine. They are typically used to establish a reverse shell connection back to the attacker, allowing the attacker to execute commands on the target machine.

6. What types of files can be imported as modules into Metasploit?

Metasploit can import a variety of file types as modules, including .rb, .py, and .exe files. Metasploit will also accept compressed files, such as .zip and .rar files, as long as they contain one of the aforementioned file types.

7. Can you give some examples of common exploits?

Some common exploits that can be performed using Metasploit include buffer overflows, SQL injection, and cross-site scripting. Metasploit can also be used to exploit vulnerabilities in software, such as unpatched versions of Microsoft Word or Adobe Reader.

8. Is it possible to develop custom scripts for Metasploit? If yes, then how?

Yes, it is possible to develop custom scripts for Metasploit. This can be done by using the Metasploit Framework Ruby API. This API allows you to interact with the Metasploit framework and write your own custom scripts.

9. How does Metasploit interact with other tools like Nmap?

Metasploit can be used to launch an exploit against a target identified by Nmap as vulnerable. Metasploit will then attempt to gain access to the target system and run commands on it.

10. How can you scan a network for vulnerable systems using Metasploit?

Metasploit has a module called “auxiliary/scanner/portscan/tcp” which can be used to scan a network for systems with open ports. This module can be configured to scan for specific ports, or it can be set to scan for all open ports.

11. How does Metasploit work behind the scenes?

Metasploit works by taking advantage of vulnerabilities in software to gain access to a system. Once it has access, it can then allow the user to execute arbitrary code on the system, giving them full control. Metasploit comes with a large number of pre-built exploit modules that can be used to target specific vulnerabilities, making it a powerful tool for both attackers and penetration testers.

12. What are the main components of Metasploit?

Metasploit is a penetration testing tool that can be used to test the security of a system. It is made up of three main components: the Metasploit Framework, the Metasploit Community Edition, and the Metasploit Pro. The Metasploit Framework is the core of the tool and includes all of the basic features. The Metasploit Community Edition is a free version that is available to the public. The Metasploit Pro is a paid version that includes additional features and support.

13. Can you explain what Meterpreter is? How is it created?

Meterpreter is a payload that is used within the Metasploit Framework. It is a powerful payload that allows for a great deal of control and flexibility when performing an attack. Meterpreter is created by writing a Metasploit module.

14. What are the various commands available in Meterpreter?

The Meterpreter is a powerful tool that can be used to control a remote system. The various commands that are available allow you to do everything from taking screenshots to stealing passwords. Some of the most popular commands include:

– screenshot: Takes a screenshot of the remote system
– keylogger_start: Starts a keylogger on the remote system
– download: Downloads a file from the remote system
– upload: Uploads a file to the remote system
– execute: Executes a given command on the remote system

15. What are the different types of payloads that can be used by Meterpreter?

Meterpreter payloads can be divided into two types: staged and stageless. Staged payloads are smaller in size and have to be delivered in two stages: the initial payload and the Meterpreter payload. The initial payload can be any type of payload, but the Meterpreter payload must be a Windows payload. Stageless payloads are larger in size but only need to be delivered in one stage. They can be used on any platform that Meterpreter supports.

16. How can you use shellcode with Metasploit?

Shellcode is a piece of code that can be used as an exploit payload. It is typically used to launch a shell on the target system, which gives the attacker full control over the machine. Metasploit can use shellcode in a number of ways, depending on the desired outcome. For example, it can be used to create a reverse shell, which would allow the attacker to connect back to their own machine and gain access to the target system.

17. What is msfvenom? What is its purpose?

Msfvenom is a tool that is used to generate payloads. A payload is a piece of code that is used to exploit a vulnerability in a system. The purpose of msfvenom is to make it easy for users to generate payloads so that they can easily exploit vulnerabilities.

18. What is the best way to access the interactive interpreter for creating a new exploit or post-exploitation script?

The best way to access the interactive interpreter for creating a new exploit or post-exploitation script is to use the “msfconsole” command. This command will give you full access to the Metasploit framework, allowing you to create and test new exploits and post-exploitation scripts.

19. What is the correct syntax to set up port forwarding from the target system back to your machine when using Metasploit?

The correct syntax for this is “route add “.

20. What is the importance of using Meterpreter instead of a standard command line shell?

Meterpreter provides a much more robust and comprehensive command line interface than a standard command line shell. It also allows for a great deal more flexibility and customization when it comes to interacting with a remote system. Additionally, Meterpreter has a number of built-in features that make it ideal for post-exploitation activities, such as the ability to take screenshots, record keystrokes, and dump process memory.