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Wi-Fi Penetration Testing Tools and Techniques

Wireless network penetration testing presents a unique challenge due to the wide variety of technologies, protocols, and security configurations encountered in the field. This module introduces learners to a range of Wi-Fi pentesting tools, each selected to demonstrate techniques suited for different environments and stages of an engagement. By working through practical examples, learners will gain hands-on experience in choosing and applying the right tool for the task.

5.00

Created by Sentinal
Co-Authors: MrGrep, jarednexgentV2, N1tr0x

Medium Offensive

Summary

Wireless networks present a broad and often fragmented attack surface, making it difficult to know which tools or techniques to use in a given situation. Between WPA2-PSK, WPA2-Enterprise, WPS, Evil Twins, and captive portal attacks, each target requires a different approach. In Wi-Fi Penetration Testing Tools & Techniques, students will explore a wide range of tools, both widely adopted and lesser known, that are used in real-world wireless assessments. Through hands-on practice, learners will build the knowledge and confidence needed to identify network types, choose appropriate tools, and execute effective wireless attacks across a variety of scenarios.

In this module, we will cover:

  • Setting up GPSD
  • Reconaissance with Airodump-ng, Kismet, LinSSID, WifiDB, and Sparrow WiFi
  • Open source intelligence with WiGLE
  • Online bruteforce attacks with Air-Hammer, Wacker, and WifiBF
  • Automated attack frameworks such as H4rpy, Wifite2, and Fern WiFi Cracker
  • Evil Twin and Captive Portal customization with Wfipumpkin3, Airgeddon, and EAPHammer
  • Gathering and cracking passwords with Pyrit, Aircrack-ng, and Pmkidcracker
  • Man-in-the-Middle attacks with Ettercap and Bettercap
  • Router firmware vulnerabilities and exploitation

This module is broken down into sections with accompanying hands-on exercises to practice each of the tools, tactics, and techniques we cover. There are no specific WiFi hardware requirements for this module, as Hack The Box manages all necessary resources. You will need to RDP into the provided attacker VM to perform the exercises.

As you work through the module, you will see example commands and command outputs for the various tools and topics introduced. Reproducing as many examples as possible is recommended to reinforce the concepts presented in each section.

You can start and stop the module at any time and pick up where you left off. There is no time limit or grading, but you must complete all of the exercises and the skills assessments to receive the maximum number of cubes and have this module marked as complete in any paths you have chosen.

This module is classified as "Medium" and assumes a working knowledge of Linux systems and network fundamentals. A firm grasp of the following modules can be considered a prerequisite for the successful completion of this module:

WiFi Security Essentials

Since the advent of the 802.11 standard, the use of WiFi for network and internet access has grown significantly due to the convenience it provides. In both corporate and personal environments, users rely on WiFi to access online services and perform daily tasks.

However, this widespread reliance has introduced serious security concerns. Wireless networks are vulnerable to a variety of attacks that can compromise user privacy, and in organizational settings, lead to financial loss or reputational damage. Despite this, many companies still lack proper safeguards to secure their wireless infrastructure.

In the sections ahead, we'll explore several common WiFi threats and the tools used to identify and exploit them.

Threat Description
Eavesdropping and packet sniffing Attackers intercepting unencrypted data in transit. Often occurs through man-in-the-middle attacks or fake captive portals.
Rogue access points and Evil Twins Unauthorized or deceptive WiFi hotspots designed to lure users.
Weak encryption standards (WEP, WPA) Outdated protocols with known flaws; modern networks should use WPA2 or WPA3.
Bruteforce and dictionary attacks Attempts to guess WiFi passwords by exploiting captured handshakes or using wordlists.
WPS vulnerabilities Security flaws in the Wi-Fi Protected Setup feature that can be exploited to retrieve credentials.

In order to assess and exploit these weaknesses, pentesters must use specialized tools tailored to different phases of a wireless engagement. Below is a categorized overview of the tools we'll be covering throughout this module.

Reconnaissance Tools

These tools are essential during the initial phase of testing. They help identify nearby networks, capture packet data, and analyze wireless traffic.

Tool Description
Airodump-ng Part of the Aircrack-ng suite, used for packet capturing and wireless monitoring.
Kismet A network detector, packet sniffer, and intrusion detection system.
Sparrow-WiFi A graphical WiFi analyzer for Linux that provides real-time visibility into wireless networks.
wifi_db Parses Aircrack-ng captures into a SQLite database for deeper analysis.
LinSSID A graphical WiFi scanner similar to NetStumbler, built for Linux.
WiGLE A global database of geolocated WiFi networks submitted by wardrivers.

Password Cracking and Brute Force Tools

These tools are used to exploit cryptographic weaknesses based on data captured during reconnaissance.

Tool Description
Air-hammer An automated WPA/WPA2 PSK attack tool.
Reaver Designed for brute force attack against WPS registrar PINs and recover WPA/WPA2 passphrases.
WifiBF A tool for brute-forcing WiFi passwords.
Wacker A collection of scripts used to perform online dictionary attacks on WPA3 access points.
pyrit Allows you to attack wireless networks using pre-computed hashes.
Aircrack-ng A complete suite for breaking WiFi network security.
Cowpatty Used to verify captured handshakes and brute-force WiFi passwords. Also capable of using a precomputed hash file (rainbow table).
pmkidcracker Targets PMKID features of WPA2 for cracking passwords.

Automated Attack Tools

These tools require minimal manual configuration and automate various steps to exploit weak or misconfigured WiFi networks.

Tool Description
Fern Wi-Fi Cracker A GUI-based tool for auditing and recovering WEP/WPA keys.
h4rpy Automates WPA/WPA2 handshake capture and dictionary attacks.
Wifite2 A Python-based tool for automating wireless auditing tasks.

Automated Evil Twin & MitM Attack Tools

These tools are used to simulate rogue access points and perform man-in-the-middle attacks on wireless clients.

Tool Description
EAPHammer Targets WPA-Enterprise networks with Evil Twin and credential harvesting attacks.
Airgeddon A multi-purpose wireless attack framework supporting Evil Twin attacks, DoS, and more.
Wirespy A tool designed for network-level spying and MitM attacks.
WifiPumpkin3 A rogue AP framework that supports phishing, DNS spoofing, and traffic manipulation.
Ettercap A classic network sniffer and man-in-the-middle attack tool.
Bettercap A powerful, modular network attack and monitoring tool with support for wireless attacks.

Moving On

Now that we've covered the tool landscape at a high level, we'll shift our focus to the reconnaissance phase in more detail. In the next sections, we'll explore how tools like Airodump-ng and others are used to identify wireless networks, capture data, and build situational awareness before launching attacks.

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Sections

Relevant Paths

This module progresses you towards the following Paths

Wi-Fi Penetration Tester

Wi-Fi Penetration Tester

The Wi-Fi Penetration Tester Job Role Path is designed for professionals and aspiring security practitioners who want to build expertise in assessing and securing corporate wireless networks. The course provides hands-on training in evaluating the security of Wi-Fi environments, from attacking modern authentication and encryption protocols to simulating real-world attack scenarios such as rogue access points, man-in-the-middle attacks, and credential harvesting. Students will gain practical experience with industry-standard tools and methodologies, learning how to identify vulnerabilities, exploit misconfigurations, and recommend effective countermeasures. By the end of this Path the participants will be equipped with the knowledge and skills required to perform authorized Wi-Fi penetration tests and strengthen the wireless security posture of enterprise corporate environments.

Hard Path Sections 170 Sections
Required: 3400
Reward: +680
Path Modules
Wi-Fi Penetration Testing Basics
Medium
Path Sections 16 Sections
Reward: +20
In today's digital age, wireless networks are ubiquitous, connecting countless devices in homes, businesses, and public spaces. With this widespread connectivity comes an increased risk of security vulnerabilities that can be exploited by malicious actors. As such, understanding and securing Wi-Fi networks has become a crucial aspect of cybersecurity. Whether you are an aspiring ethical hacker, a network administrator, or simply a tech enthusiast, gaining a solid foundation in Wi-Fi penetration testing is essential for safeguarding your digital environment.
Attacking Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS)
Medium
Path Sections 13 Sections
Reward: +20
In this module, we delve into the intricacies of WPS, uncovering the common vulnerabilities that plague this technology. From brute-force attacks to more sophisticated exploitation techniques, we will explore how attackers compromise WPS-enabled networks. By understanding these vulnerabilities and their related attacks, you will gain the knowledge necessary to protect your networks and mitigate the risks associated with WPS.
Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) Attacks
Medium
Path Sections 13 Sections
Reward: +20
In this module, we delve into Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) and the various attacks that can compromise it. We'll explore how to identify access points configured with WEP and demonstrate different methods to exploit its vulnerabilities. As WEP is an outdated and insecure protocol, understanding its weaknesses is crucial for recognizing the need to upgrade to more secure protocols. This module aims to provide insights into WEP’s vulnerabilities and practical techniques for testing its security.
Attacking WPA/WPA2 Wi-Fi Networks
Medium
Path Sections 15 Sections
Reward: +100
This module explores the security challenges of WPA and WPA2 Wi-Fi networks, focusing on WPA/WPA2-Personal and WPA/WPA2-Enterprise. Although these protocols aim to secure wireless communication, attackers can exploit various weaknesses in home and enterprise environments. This module will delve deeper into WPA-Personal and WPA-Enterprise, demonstrating multiple attack vectors to compromise each. Understanding these attack vectors will give you insight into the vulnerabilities that could compromise WPA/WPA2 networks and how to secure them.
Wi-Fi Evil Twin Attacks
Medium
Path Sections 16 Sections
Reward: +100
This module explores the concept of evil twin attacks on Wi-Fi networks, focusing on WPA2, WPA3, and WPA-Enterprise. Despite these protocols being designed with strong security measures, they remain vulnerable to social engineering and rogue access point attacks. We will delve into both manual and automated methods for executing evil twin attacks, demonstrating practical approaches for each network type. Additionally, we will cover advanced MiTM techniques, including DNS spoofing and SSL interception, to highlight how attackers can exploit compromised connections for data interception.
Attacking WPA3 Wi-Fi Networks
Medium
Path Sections 16 Sections
Reward: +100
Wi-Fi Protected Access 3 improves upon WPA2 by offering stronger encryption, SAE for personal networks, OWE for open networks, and mandatory Protected Management Frames. However, it is not immune to compromise. In this module, we’ll explore practical attack techniques against WPA3 implementations, including OWE, SAE, and Enterprise networks (EAP-PWD), highlighting how vulnerabilities and misconfigurations can be exploited in real-world scenarios.
Bypassing Wi-Fi Captive Portals
Medium
Path Sections 17 Sections
Reward: +100
In this module, we delve into a range of methods for identifying and bypassing captive portals, employing both indirect and direct exploitation techniques. We cover tactics such as MAC spoofing, ARP poisoning, DNS tunneling, and credential interception, alongside direct attack vectors like Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), file upload vulnerabilities, file inclusion, and brute force attacks. Additionally, we will examine client hijacking strategies to extract credentials and circumvent portal restrictions. By understanding these attack methods, we can evaluate and enhance the security of captive portal implementations.
Wi-Fi Password Cracking Techniques
Medium
Path Sections 16 Sections
Reward: +20
Password cracking is a cornerstone of wireless penetration testing, as many real-world assessments hinge on the strength of the Wi-Fi password and our ability to break it. Despite its importance, many testers continue to rely solely on dictionary attacks with basic tools and minimal customization. In this module, we’ll go beyond the basics and explore the full spectrum of practical techniques, targeted strategies, and performance-driven optimizations for cracking Wi-Fi passwords.
Wi-Fi Penetration Testing Tools and Techniques
Medium
Path Sections 30 Sections
Reward: +100 NEW
Wireless network penetration testing presents a unique challenge due to the wide variety of technologies, protocols, and security configurations encountered in the field. This module introduces learners to a range of Wi-Fi pentesting tools, each selected to demonstrate techniques suited for different environments and stages of an engagement. By working through practical examples, learners will gain hands-on experience in choosing and applying the right tool for the task.
Attacking Corporate Wi-Fi Networks
Medium
Path Sections 18 Sections
Reward: +100 NEW
This module incorporates a simulated Wi-Fi penetration test from start to finish, emphasizing hands-on techniques that reflect real-world engagements. It involves conducting scoped reconnaissance, assessing wireless configurations, and evaluating common attack surfaces across WPA2, WPA3, and Enterprise deployments. The environment culminates in a demonstration of internal network pivoting, including Active Directory access, all performed within a controlled, simulated environment and in adherence to strict legal and ethical boundaries.