Top Tools Covered in CEH v12

In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, staying ahead of malicious actors requires a deep understanding of both offensive and defensive techniques. For ethical hackers and cybersecurity professionals, mastery of hacking tools is essential for identifying vulnerabilities, assessing risks, and fortifying defenses. In the latest iteration of the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) program, version 12 (v12), participants are introduced to a comprehensive arsenal of tools spanning various phases of ethical hacking. In this guide, we’ll delve into the top tools covered in CEH v12, organized by their respective categories.

Understanding Hacking Tools

What are Hacking Tools?

Hacking tools, also known as penetration testing tools, are software applications designed to assist cybersecurity professionals in assessing the security posture of systems, networks, and applications. These tools encompass a wide range of functionalities, including reconnaissance, scanning, exploitation, privilege escalation, and data exfiltration. While some hacking tools are open-source and freely available, others are proprietary and may require licensing or subscription fees. Regardless of their origin, hacking tools serve as indispensable assets for ethical hackers seeking to identify and remediate vulnerabilities in digital environments.

Top CEH v12 Tools

Reconnaissance/Footprinting Tools

Reconnaissance, also known as footprinting, is the first phase of ethical hacking, involving gathering information about a target system or organization. In CEH v12, participants are introduced to several reconnaissance tools, including:

1. Nmap: A versatile network scanning tool used for port scanning, service enumeration, and OS fingerprinting.
2. Recon-NG: A powerful reconnaissance framework that automates the gathering of information from open-source intelligence (OSINT) sources, social media platforms, and public databases.
3. Shodan: A search engine for internet-connected devices, Shodan enables users to discover vulnerable systems, industrial control systems (ICS), and Internet of Things (IoT) devices exposed to the internet.

Scanning Tools

Scanning tools are used to identify vulnerabilities and misconfigurations in target systems, networks, and applications. CEH v12 covers several scanning tools, including:

1. OpenVAS: An open-source vulnerability scanner that performs comprehensive scans for known vulnerabilities in systems and networks.
2. Nessus: A widely-used vulnerability assessment tool that scans networks for security vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and compliance violations.
3. Nikto: A web server scanner that identifies common vulnerabilities and misconfigurations in web applications, including outdated software versions, insecure directories, and server misconfigurations.

Gaining Access Tools

Gaining access tools are used to exploit vulnerabilities and gain unauthorized access to target systems, networks, and applications. CEH v12 introduces participants to various exploitation tools, including:

1. Metasploit Framework: A widely-used penetration testing framework that provides a repository of exploits, payloads, and auxiliary modules for exploiting vulnerabilities in systems and applications.
2. SQLMap: A tool for detecting and exploiting SQL injection vulnerabilities in web applications, enabling attackers to retrieve sensitive information from databases.
3. Hydra: A fast and flexible password-cracking tool that supports various protocols, including HTTP, FTP, SSH, and SMB, for performing brute-force attacks against authentication mechanisms.

Maintaining Access Tools

Maintaining access tools are used to establish persistent access to compromised systems, networks, and applications. In CEH v12, participants learn about various post-exploitation tools, including:

1. Netcat (nc): A versatile networking utility that can be used to create reverse shells, transfer files, and establish encrypted connections between attacker and victim systems.
2. Meterpreter: A post-exploitation payload included in the Metasploit Framework, Meterpreter provides a powerful command-and-control interface for interacting with compromised systems, executing commands, and exfiltrating data.
3. PowerShell Empire: A post-exploitation framework that leverages PowerShell for establishing and maintaining persistent access to compromised Windows systems, enabling attackers to deploy agents, escalate privileges, and evade detection.

Clearing Tracks Tools

Clearing tracks tools are used to cover the attacker’s tracks and erase evidence of unauthorized access from target systems, networks, and applications. CEH v12 includes several tools for clearing tracks, including:

1. CCleaner: A disk cleanup utility that removes temporary files, browsing history, cookies, and other traces of user activity from Windows systems, helping attackers cover their tracks and evade detection.
2. Windows Event Viewer: A built-in Windows utility for viewing and analyzing event logs, including security logs, system logs, and application logs, to identify and remove evidence of unauthorized access and malicious activity.
3. BleachBit: An open-source disk cleanup tool similar to CCleaner, BleachBit removes temporary files, cache files, and other unnecessary data from Linux and Windows systems, aiding attackers in covering their tracks and maintaining stealth.

Other Miscellaneous Tools

In addition to the aforementioned categories, CEH v12 covers a variety of other miscellaneous tools that are essential for ethical hacking and penetration testing, including:

1. Wireshark: A powerful network protocol analyzer that captures and analyzes network traffic in real-time, enabling attackers to sniff sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, and session cookies, transmitted over unencrypted protocols.
2. Burp Suite: A comprehensive web application security testing tool that includes a proxy, scanner, intruder, repeater, sequencer, and decoder for identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications, such as cross-site scripting (XSS) and SQL injection.
3. Aircrack-ng: A suite of wireless network security tools for assessing the security of Wi-Fi networks, including packet sniffing, packet injection, and brute-force attacks against WEP and WPA/WPA2 encryption keys.

Conclusion

In the dynamic landscape of cybersecurity, mastery of hacking tools is essential for identifying vulnerabilities, assessing risks, and fortifying defenses. The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) program, version 12 (v12), equips participants with a comprehensive arsenal of tools spanning various phases of ethical hacking, including reconnaissance, scanning, exploitation, privilege escalation, and data exfiltration. By familiarizing themselves with the top tools covered in CEH v12, cybersecurity professionals can enhance their skills, broaden their knowledge, and stay ahead of emerging threats in today’s digital world. Whether you’re a seasoned penetration tester or a newcomer to the field, proficiency in hacking tools is a fundamental prerequisite for success in the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity.

About the Author:

Vijay Gupta is a cybersecurity enthusiast with several years of experience in cyber security, cyber crime forensics investigation, and security awareness training in schools and colleges. With a passion for safeguarding digital environments and educating others about cybersecurity best practices, Vijay has dedicated his career to promoting cyber safety and resilience. Stay connected with Vijay Gupta on various social media platforms and professional networks to access valuable insights and stay updated on the latest cybersecurity trends.