Metasploit Meterpreter

Metasploit’s Meterpreter is a advanced payload that allows you to control a compromised system without leaving a trace on the hard drive. It runs entirely in memory and injects itself into existing processes instead of creating new ones. This stealthy approach allows you to execute commands, transfer files, take screenshots, and log keystrokes all while evading traditional security controls.

Key Insights

Meterpreter is a dynamic and extensible payload within the Metasploit Framework, used for penetration testing and unfortunately by the bad guys. Since it runs in memory it’s a prime example of fileless malware which is hard to detect since it doesn’t leave any footprints on the disk. By injecting itself into legitimate processes Meterpreter blends in with the system’s normal behavior making it even harder to detect.

Comprehensive System Control

Once Meterpreter is active it provides a full set of tools to control the system. Attackers can upload or download files, execute commands via a command shell, take screenshots, and log keystrokes. These capabilities allow for full data exfiltration and system manipulation which is a big risk to the compromised network.

Threat Actor Adoption and Implications

Meterpreter’s versatility has made it popular among threat actors. Its ability to evade many security solutions makes it a favorite among those who want to maintain unauthorized access to the system for a long time. So it’s important to know how it works and how to detect it for effective security.

Known Variants

Meterpreter itself doesn’t have variants, but it’s used in different malware families and attack frameworks. Threat actors have been known to deploy Meterpreter through various means such as exploiting vulnerabilities in old Redis servers to install the payload. UAC-0098 group has used Meterpreter in phishing attacks against Ukrainian government entities.

Mitigation Strategies

Make sure all systems and applications are up to date with the latest security patches.
Implement network monitoring to detect in-memory activities.
Use EDR solutions that can detect fileless malware.
Train your staff to recognize phishing attempts.

Targeted Industries or Sectors

Meterpreter is used in attacks across multiple industries. Ukrainian government entities have been targeted through phishing campaigns with Meterpreter payloads. Old Redis servers have been exploited to install Meterpreter backdoors which can affect any organization that uses such infrastructure.

Associated Threat Actors

Several threat actors use Meterpreter. UAC-0098 has been involved in phishing attacks against Ukrainian government entities with Meterpreter. Kimsuky has used Meterpreter to attack web servers and get control of compromised systems.