How to Use the Command 'httpry' (with examples)
Httpry is a lightweight and efficient packet sniffer specifically designed for monitoring HTTP traffic. The tool can function in real-time, displaying HTTP requests and responses as they are parsed, or it can operate as a background process, logging data for later review. Its minimal overhead makes it ideal for environments where system resources are at a premium yet there’s a need for detailed web traffic analysis. The ability to filter, save, and manage HTTP data without unnecessary bloat makes httpry an attractive choice for network administrators and security analysts alike.
Use case 1: Save output to a file
Code:
httpry -o path/to/file.log
Motivation: Saving HTTP traffic data to a file is crucial for historical analysis, auditing, and detecting anomalies over time. By leveraging this feature, users can create archives of web traffic for compliance purposes or detailed forensic investigations.
Explanation:
httpry: The command initiates the HTTP packet sniffer tool.-o: This option specifies the target log file where the parsed HTTP traffic should be written.path/to/file.log: This is a placeholder path indicating where the output file should be stored. Users should replace it with the actual file path on their system.
Example Output: Assuming logs are being generated, the file file.log would be populated with lines similar to:
1483748005.234120 IP 192.168.1.100.12345 > 93.184.216.34.80: GET / HTTP/1.1
Each line represents an HTTP request or response captured during the monitoring session.
Use case 2: Listen on a specific interface and save output to a binary PCAP format file
Code:
httpry eth0 -b path/to/file.pcap
Motivation: Network environments with multiple interfaces require granular monitoring to ensure performance and security. Saving traffic in PCAP format is essential for compatibility with a wide range of network analysis tools such as Wireshark or tcpdump. This enables deeper analysis using advanced features available in those programs.
Explanation:
httpry: Executes the HTTP sniffer tool.eth0: Specifies the interface from which to capture traffic. Replace this with the appropriate network interface identifier on your machine.-b: Indicates that the output should be saved in binary PCAP format, a standard file format for packet data.path/to/file.pcap: Defines where the binary file will be stored.
Example Output: After running the command, file.pcap can be opened with compatible tools to visualize HTTP packets in their raw form.
Use case 3: Filter output by a comma-separated list of HTTP verbs
Code:
httpry -m get|post|put|head|options|delete|trace|connect|patch
Motivation: Focusing on specific HTTP methods helps in narrowing down traffic for easier inspection. Doing so allows users to monitor specific types of requests, which can be especially useful in performance debugging or identifying malicious activity.
Explanation:
httpry: Starts the HTTP packet capture.-m: This option filters the output to include only specified HTTP methods.get|post|put|head|options|delete|trace|connect|patch: A list of common HTTP methods to be captured.
Example Output: Captured output would show lines involving only the specified HTTP methods:
1483748027.437842 IP 192.168.1.100.12345 > 93.184.216.34.80: POST /login HTTP/1.1
Use case 4: Read from an input capture file and filter by IP
Code:
httpry -r path/to/file.log 'host 192.168.5.25'
Motivation: Analyzing previously collected data with specific parameters ensures focused investigations. Filtering by IP address can pinpoint activity related to specific devices, aiding in troubleshooting or forensic analysis.
Explanation:
httpry: The command line tool for capturing HTTP traffic.-r: Reads from an existing log file instead of live capturing.path/to/file.log: Path to the previously saved log file.'host 192.168.5.25': A BPF (Berkeley Packet Filter) expression to filter log entries by a specific IP address.
Example Output: The filtered log would show entries related to the IP 192.168.5.25:
1483748035.982340 IP 192.168.5.25.23456 > 104.28.6.85.80: GET /home HTTP/1.1
Use case 5: Run as daemon process
Code:
httpry -d -o path/to/file.log
Motivation: Running httpry as a daemon enables continuous logging without requiring direct user interaction. This is vital in environments needing persistent monitoring or when logging must occur across system reboots.
Explanation:
httpry: The packet sniffer command.-d: Runs httpry as a background process, also known as a daemon, freeing up the terminal for other tasks.-o: Points to the output file where logs will continuously be written.
Example Output: The file.log is constantly updated with new entries as HTTP traffic is detected:
1483748100.154321 IP 203.0.113.57.6789 > 8.8.8.8.80: GET /search?q=data HTTP/1.1
Conclusion:
Using httpry with these diverse use cases empowers network administrators and analysts with the ability to tailor HTTP traffic monitoring to match specific needs. Whether saving traffic data for compliance, isolating specific traffic types, or running persistent system monitoring, httpry provides versatile tools for efficient network traffic analysis.
