How to Gain SSH Access to Servers by Brute-Forcing Credentials

SSH is one of the most common protocols in use in modern IT infrastructures, and because of this, it can be a valuable attack vector for hackers. One of the most reliable ways to gain SSH access to servers is by brute-forcing credentials. There are a few methods of performing an SSH brute-force attack that will ultimately lead to the discovery of valid login credentials.


While not the only ways to do so, we'll be exploring tools such as Metasploit, Hydra, and the Nmap Scripting Engine in Nmap to accomplish this task, all of which are included in Kali Linux. As for the target, we will be practicing on Metasploitable 2, a purposely vulnerable test environment for pentesting and security research.


Overview of SSH


SSH, which stands for Secure Shell, is a network protocol that allows for encrypted communication over an insecure network. This was developed as an alternative to Telnet, which sends information in plaintext, which is clearly a problem, especially when passwords are involved.


The SSH cryptographic network protocol operates on a client-server model. That is, the client initiates a connection to the server, and communication is established after authentication takes place. SSH can use both password and private key ..

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