Kali Linux

# Docker (fastest for CTF and quick work); the image ships almost no tools
docker run -it --rm kalilinux/kali-rolling
# Inside the container (you are root, no sudo needed):
apt update && apt install -y kali-linux-headless
# kalilinux/kali-last-release tracks the last point release instead of rolling

# WSL2 on Windows (PowerShell)
wsl --install -d kali-linux
wsl -d kali-linux
sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y kali-linux-default   # optional; add kali-win-kex for a GUI

# Bare VM — download the ISO or prebuilt VM image from https://www.kali.org/get-kali/
# and verify its SHA256 against the published checksum before use. Installer and VM
# images create a non-root user (kali / kali for prebuilt VMs); change the password at once

# Keep Kali current — rolling release
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade -y

# Metapackages — install by category, not tool-by-tool
sudo apt install -y kali-tools-top10       # aircrack-ng, burpsuite, hydra, john, metasploit-framework, netexec, nmap, responder, sqlmap, wireshark
sudo apt install -y kali-tools-web         # 50+ web assessment tools, from nikto and gobuster to zaproxy
sudo apt install -y kali-tools-wireless    # 802.11, Bluetooth, RFID and SDR tools
sudo apt install -y kali-tools-passwords   # hashcat, john, hydra, medusa and more
sudo apt install -y kali-tools-forensics   # data recovery, artifact analysis, reverse engineering
# System sets: kali-linux-core, kali-linux-headless, kali-linux-default, kali-linux-large, kali-linux-everything

# List all metapackages
apt-cache search kali-tools

# Isolate Kali on a host-only network in VirtualBox/VMware
# The pentest network must NOT route to the internet or your LAN

# Vulnerable targets for practice (run in the same isolated network)
# Publish on 127.0.0.1 only: these apps are deliberately insecure
docker run -d --rm -p 127.0.0.1:3000:3000 bkimminich/juice-shop   # OWASP Juice Shop
# DAMN Vulnerable Web App: follow https://github.com/digininja/DVWA (docker compose file included)

# Metasploitable 3 — vulnerable Windows/Linux VMs
# https://github.com/rapid7/metasploitable3

# Hack The Box and TryHackMe give you remote labs — connect with the OpenVPN file
# from your account: sudo openvpn ~/htb-lab.ovpn

# Snapshot before every engagement (VirtualBox)
VBoxManage snapshot "Kali" take "pre-engagement-$(date +%F)"

# Case directory — keep every engagement self-contained
mkdir -p ~/cases/northwind-2026-10/{recon,exploits,loot,notes,reports}
cd ~/cases/northwind-2026-10

# Log everything with script(1)
script -a notes/session-$(date +%F-%H%M).log
# ... run commands ...
exit  # stops logging

# Common tool entry points (all on PATH on Kali)
nmap -sV -sC -oA recon/nmap 10.10.10.5
msfconsole -q -r notes/msf-resume.rc
wireshark &

# Prefer resetting over cleaning: restore the pre-engagement snapshot
VBoxManage snapshot "Kali" restore "pre-engagement-2026-10-03"

# Before archiving a VM, clear caches and shell history
sudo apt clean
history -c && rm -f ~/.bash_history ~/.zsh_history

# Docker lab containers are removed with --rm; remove leftovers
docker ps -a

docker run -it --rm \
  -v "$PWD/ctf-loot:/root/loot" \
  --name ctf \
  kalilinux/kali-rolling bash

# Inside:
apt update && apt install -y nmap hydra john sqlmap curl
cd /root/loot
nmap -sV -oA scan 10.10.10.5   # target from your CTF platform
# Container disappears on exit — loot/ persists on host

sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y kali-tools-web

# Verify the tools are on PATH
which sqlmap nikto gobuster burpsuite zaproxy

# Wordlists ship in /usr/share/wordlists (rockyou.txt.gz needs extraction)
sudo gunzip /usr/share/wordlists/rockyou.txt.gz
ls /usr/share/wordlists/