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IRC Pentesting

Default Port: 6667

IRC (Internet Relay Chat), is a protocol and communication system that allows users to engage in real-time text-based conversations. In this article, we will examine the pentesting techniques for IRC.

Connect​

Connecting to an IRC Server​

You can connect to an IRC server using various IRC clients. For example, on Linux, you can use the irssi client with the following command:

irssi -c <irc-server-ip>

This command allows you to connect to a specific IRC server.

Login with Nickname and Username​

After connecting to the IRC server, you need to set your nickname and username:

/nick <nickname>
/user <username> <hostname> <servername> :<realname>

For example:

/nick pentester
/user pentester localhost localhost :Pentester

Recon​

Identifying an IRC Server​

You can use Nmap to check if an IRC service is running on a specific host:

nmap -p 6667 X.X.X.X

This command checks if there is a service running on port 6667 of the specified IP address, which is commonly used by IRC.

You can use Netcat or a similar tool to perform banner grabbing and retrieve information about the IRC service:

nc -nv X.X.X.X 6667

This command collects banner information from the service running on port 6667 of the given IP address.

Enumeration​

Listing Channels and Users​

Once connected to an IRC server, you can list the available channels and users:

/list

This command lists all available channels on the server.

/names <channel>

This command lists all users in a specific channel.

Collecting User Information​

You can also collect information about specific users:

/whois <nickname>

This command retrieves detailed information about a specific user, including their hostname, server, and real name.

Packet Analysis​

You can use packet analysis tools like Wireshark to capture and analyze IRC traffic. This can help in understanding communication patterns and identifying potential weaknesses.

Attack Vectors​

Default Credentials and Vulnerabilities​

Check for default credentials or weak authentication mechanisms. For example, try common nicknames and usernames like admin or root.

Brute Force Attacks​

You can perform brute-force attacks to guess weak passwords using tools like hydra:

hydra -l <username> -P /path/to/passwords.txt <target_ip> irc -s 6667

This command attempts to brute-force the specified IRC server.

Exploiting Misconfigurations​

Look for misconfigured IRC servers that allow actions without proper authentication, such as joining restricted channels or sending messages to all users.

Post-Exploitation​

Privilege Escalation​

After gaining access, attempt to escalate privileges to higher-level accounts or operators (ops) within channels. You can use commands like:

/mode <channel> +o <nickname>

This command attempts to give operator privileges to the specified user in the channel.

Data Analysis and Manipulation​

Once you have access, analyze and manipulate data within the IRC server. For example, you can monitor private messages or alter channel topics.

Hijacking Sessions​

Target and hijack active user sessions to capture session information and manipulate sessions to your advantage. For example, you could use a tool like Ettercap to perform a man-in-the-middle attack on IRC traffic.

Example of IRC Commands​

CommandDescription
/listList all available channels on the server.
/names <channel>\List all users in a specific channel.
/whois <nickname>\Retrieve detailed information about a specific user.
/mode <channel>\ +o <nickname>\Give operator privileges to a user in a channel.

This structure provides a comprehensive overview of pentesting activities directed towards IRC services. Always ensure you operate within ethical and legal boundaries while conducting such tests and have the appropriate authorization.