Common uses for FreeRDP as a tool for pen testers
Remote access to Windows systems: Pen testers can use FreeRDP to remotely access and control Windows systems, allowing them to assess the security of these systems and identify vulnerabilities.Testing the security of RDP connections: Pen testers can use FreeRDP to test the security of Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) connections, including testing for weak passwords, unpatched systems, and other vulnerabilities that could be exploited by an attacker.Automating penetration testing: Pen testers can use FreeRDP in conjunction with other tools and scripts to automate penetration testing tasks, such as testing for vulnerabilities in large numbers of systems or networks.Testing the security of virtualized environments: Pen testers can use FreeRDP to remotely access and test the security of virtualized Windows desktops, which are often used in enterprise environments for remote access to applications and resources.Validating the effectiveness of security controls: Pen testers can use FreeRDP to test the effectiveness of security controls, such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and access controls, by attempting to remotely access systems and networks from various locations and with different levels of privilege.
How to Install freerdp using apt
sudo apt-get install freerdp2-x11
How To Use freerdp
Command | Description |
---|---|
xfreerdp /v:192.168.2.5 /u:admin /pth:A9FDFA038C4B75EBC76DC855DD74F0DA | Use the Pass-The-Hash technique to login on the target host without a password |
xfreerdp /v:192.168.2.4 | login as guest account |
xfreerdp /v:192.168.2.5 /u:Administrator /cert:ignore | login as administrator without password |
More useful commands for pen testers when using the FreeRDP tool:
xfreerdp [options]
: This is the basic syntax for connecting to a remote Windows system using FreeRDP. The[options]
parameter can be used to specify a variety of options, such as the hostname or IP address of the remote system, the username and password to use for authentication, and the desired resolution and color depth of the remote desktop.xfreerdp /dynamic-resolution
: This option allows the resolution of the remote desktop to be automatically adjusted based on the size of the window. This can be useful for users with high-resolution displays, or for users who want to adjust the size of the remote desktop on the fly.xfreerdp /sec:tls
: This option enables Transport Layer Security (TLS) encryption for the RDP connection, providing an additional layer of security.xfreerdp /u:username /p:password
: These options specify the username and password to use for authentication to the remote system.xfreerdp /v:hostname:port /cert-to-local
: This option connects to the remote system using the specified hostname and port, and stores the server’s certificate in the local certificate store. This can be useful for establishing a trusted connection to the remote system.
Screenshots gallery
summary
In this guide, we cover the use of FreeRDP for penetration testing, a tool that enables remote access and control of Windows systems. You will learn how to use FreeRDP for a range of testing tasks, including testing the security of Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) connections and Windows systems, as well as best practices for using the tool.