RE: VmWare and Pen-test Learning

From: IRM (irm@iinet.net.au)
Date: Mon Aug 07 2006 - 06:06:13 EDT


Dear all,

Thanks for all the response, I believe that being a script kiddies also
requires a lot of effort especially in researching the exploit and
tested them on the machine.

Today, I looked at the couples of vulnerabilities and most of them I
couldn't manage to get it works. The most of stressful part is that I
have no idea how to debug, since I am not a low level programmer. I am
not really sure too whether you guys are also approaching the same path
as mine, but here is my approach looks like on one of the
vulnerabilities that I tested today.

Microsoft IIS ASP Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/18858

http://www.securityfocus.com/data/vulnerabilities/exploits/cocoruderIIS-
jul25-2006.c

1) Download the code
2) Look at the code does, because I compiled the code in UNIX machine (
it won't compile with current code, I guess I need to uncomment #include
<window.h>, I have checked the code as well and I believe there is no
need to include <window.h> since all of the functions are purely
stdio.h>

3) Look at the shell code and check what it does
4) Run the code and resultant of the code should given exploit2000.asp
5) Put the exploit2000.asp on the victim machine, I tested on both Win2k
and Win2003 machine with no SP
6) Go to the site i.e. exploit2000.asp

I expect that when I access the site, I should see Calculator on the
victim but it didn't appear. I am not sure whether my approach is wrong
, but most of the cases I do not where to start to debug it since I do
not about low level language i.e assembly.

Any idea?

-----Original Message-----
From: Erin Carroll [mailto:amoeba@amoebazone.com]
Sent: Monday, August 07, 2006 5:41 PM
To: 'Susan Bradley, CPA aka Ebitz - SBS Rocks [MVP]'
Cc: 'IRM'; pen-test@securityfocus.com
Subject: RE: VmWare and Pen-test Learning

Thanks for the detailed response Susan. Some comments inline below

> If you can't nail an RTM Windows 2000 in say... oh... what..
> 5 minutes or less? I'd be surprised. I'm not sure that's
> testing those pool shots (and what is it with security and
> people who play pool?) and exercising anything when that's
> sooooo vulnerable it's not funny. You don't even have to do
> anything.. just build it and stick it on the internet. What
> kind of pool shot is that?

While I agree that the degree of difficulty to compromise an RTM w2k
image
is practically nil, I don't see practicing on it as completely useless,
especially for beginners. I think it all depends on how you practice.
The
reason even great pool players practice simple shots is to hone their
craft
to amazing levels of understanding and intuition. A straight-in shot to
a
corner pocket is easy. A straight-in shot to a corner pocket where your
cue
ball consistently ends up at the same exact spot every time isn't as
easy. A
straight-in shot where you vary draw, follow, or english (uh, places
where
you hit the ball that will affect how it rolls for you non-pool players)
and
*still* getting the cue to stop at that same exact spot... That's real
mastery of skill. Solid repeatable results 99.9% of the time regardless
of
the variables.

I view pen-testing practice much the same way. Repeat over and over
until
it's second nature to you... And then change something and try to get
the
exact same results.

John could easily compromise an RTM w2k image with an IIS 5.0 exploit.
But I
don't think owning the box should be the only point of practice if he
wants
to expand his knowledge and get better. Take a simple known exploit. Use
it.
Use it many times until you are thoroughly comfortable with it. Now take
a
deeper look. How exactly does the exploit work? Buffer overflow? What is
the
diff between the patched version and the unpatched? What does the
traffic
look like on the wire? How exactly does the target change or react when
the
exploit hits? How would I hide any telltale signs?
Now try mixing things up a little. If there was an IPS in the way how
would
you fragment the packets to still get that exploit through? What is the
minimum level of fragmentation that would still work and what is the
difference in the amount of time it takes? Heck, what about different
types
of IPS? If you modify the exploit payload how does the target box react?
Can
you modify it enough so that the standard signatures on the IPS don't
trigger? How many different variables can you work through and *still*
reach
your objective? Solid repeatable results 99.9% of the time regardless of
the
variables should be the goal.

This kind of practice isn't going to make RTM w2k IIS any less
exploitable,
solve some great unknown, or cause women to swoon. But I can almost
guarantee that it will give him a more thorough understanding and
background
of how and why it works. The research, testing and understanding needed
to
tackle just the suggestions above for a beginner will greatly enhance
their
skills. Building on a foundation of knowledge and then adding layer upon
layer isn't a waste of time IMHO.

> Go to the metasploit site and see if some of the oldies but
> goodies are there. Any of the IIS5 stuff will work....
> http://www.metasploit.com/projects/Framework/exploits.html

I have the feeling that HD Moore uses a lot of the same tactics I
describe
above for practice when looking for new holes and exploits. Poking and
prodding and seeing what happens when things are changed around. Of
course,
he may be too hung over after Defcon and Blackhat to reply right now :)

--
Erin Carroll
Moderator
SecurityFocus pen-test list
"Do Not Taunt Happy-Fun Ball" 
-- 
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.10.7/410 - Release Date: 8/5/2006
 
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