How to use the command 'nxc wmi' (with examples)

The nxc wmi command is a versatile utility used in penetration testing and exploiting the Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) protocol. This command is part of a suite of tools focused on interacting with Windows systems for security testing purposes. By utilizing this command, cybersecurity professionals can authenticate, query, and execute commands on remote Windows hosts through WMI, which is an essential component for managing data and operations on Windows-based operating systems. Below are use cases and examples illustrating the diverse functionalities of nxc wmi.

Use case 1: Searching for Valid Credentials by Trying Out Every Combination

Code:

nxc wmi 192.168.178.2 -u path/to/usernames.txt -p path/to/passwords.txt

Motivation:

This use case is pivotal in penetration testing, where the objective is to evaluate the security posture of a system by attempting to authenticate with various credentials. This technique, often referred to as credential stuffing, is employed to discover valid username-password combinations. By automating this process, testers can efficiently identify vulnerabilities related to weak or default credentials, assisting in fortifying the system against unauthorized access.

Explanation:

• nxc wmi: The base command to interface with the WMI protocol.
• 192.168.178.2: The IP address of the target Windows host.
• -u path/to/usernames.txt: Specifies the file path to a list of potential usernames.
• -p path/to/passwords.txt: Specifies the file path to a list of potential passwords.

Example Output:

[INFO] Trying username: admin, password: 123456
[ERROR] Authentication failed for admin:123456
[INFO] Trying username: user, password: password1
[ERROR] Authentication failed for user:password1
[INFO] Trying username: guest, password: guest
[SUCCESS] Valid credentials found: guest:guest

Use case 2: Authenticating via Local Authentication

Code:

nxc wmi 192.168.178.2 -u username -p password --local-auth

Motivation:

Local authentication is essential when the target is not part of a domain or when domain credentials are unavailable. This mode highlights the direct authentication against a standalone machine, which is common in small networks or particular configurations. Understanding the ability to authenticate locally allows security professionals to test the security of standalone systems.

Explanation:

• 192.168.178.2: The IP address of the target Windows host.
• -u username: The username to authenticate.
• -p password: The password corresponding to the provided username.
• --local-auth: Indicates that local authentication, instead of domain authentication, is to be attempted.

Example Output:

[INFO] Authenticating locally on 192.168.178.2
[SUCCESS] Local authentication successful for username

Use case 3: Issuing a Specific WMI Query

Code:

nxc wmi 192.168.178.2 -u username -p password --wmi wmi_query

Motivation:

Executing WMI queries is fundamental to extracting system-specific information. This capability is harnessed to gather data such as system configurations, software installations, and other critical parameters imperative for a comprehensive security assessment. Security professionals utilize WMI queries to obtain detailed insights without the need for direct machine access.

Explanation:

• -u username: The username to authenticate with.
• -p password: The password for the authentication.
• --wmi wmi_query: The specific WMI query to execute on the remote host.

Example Output:

[INFO] Executing WMI query on 192.168.178.2
[RESULT] Processor Information:
- Name: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU
- Cores: 4
- Clock Speed: 2.70 GHz

Use case 4: Executing a Command on the Targeted Host

Code:

nxc wmi 192.168.178.2 -u username -p password --x command

Motivation:

The ability to execute commands on remote systems is a powerful function in penetration testing, as it allows security practitioners to interact directly with the system to verify vulnerabilities and execute scripts or applications as needed. This function facilitates comprehensive system evaluation and exploitation scenarios, critical for real-world security assessments.

Explanation:

• -u username: The username for authentication.
• -p password: The password associated with the username.
• --x command: Indicates the command to execute on the remote host.

Example Output:

[INFO] Executing command on 192.168.178.2: ipconfig
[OUTPUT]
Windows IP Configuration
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.178.2
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.178.1

Conclusion:

The nxc wmi command provides robust functionality for penetration testers and security professionals to interact with Windows systems through the WMI protocol. By leveraging options for credential testing, local authorization, information querying, and command execution, one can conduct thorough assessments of a system’s security. Each use case demonstrates the command’s capacity to exploit and identify security gaps, essential for maintaining robust digital infrastructure resilience.