Meterpreter Definition
Meterpreter is a powerful post-exploitation tool used by the good guys in cybersecurity – those in the fields of ethical hacking and penetration testing. It is a part of the larger Metasploit framework, which is a collection of tools for finding vulnerabilities and assessing the security of computer systems. In simple terms, Meterpreter is like a Swiss army knife for IT and cybersecurity professionals, offering a wide range of capabilities to control and manipulate compromised computers.
On the other hand, Meterpreter, like most tools, can fall into the wrong hands. Once a hacker successfully gains unauthorized access to a target system, they can use Meterpreter to establish a stealthy and persistent connection with the compromised machine. This connection allows the hacker to execute various commands and interact with the system remotely. Essentially, it can provide a “backdoor” into the compromised system, giving the attacker full control and access to its permissions and resources.
Meterpreter offers a large range of functionalities, including file and directory manipulation, network exploration, password retrieval, keylogging, and even webcam and microphone access. Its versatility makes it a popular choice for ethical hackers and security professionals to better understand the vulnerabilities of a system and identify potential security weaknesses.