What Are the Post Exploitation Modules in Metasploit? Full List of Top 100 Options with Examples

Table of Contents

• What is Post Exploitation in Metasploit?
• Importance of Post Exploitation Modules in Ethical Hacking
• List of Top 100 Metasploit Post Exploitation Modules (with Categories)
• How to Use Metasploit Post Modules
• Learn Metasploit Post Exploitation With Real-Time Labs
• Conclusion
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Metasploit Framework is one of the most powerful tools used by ethical hackers and penetration testers. After exploiting a system, the next phase—post exploitation—is where the real impact begins. It allows attackers to explore the compromised system, maintain access, harvest sensitive information, and expand their reach within a network. In this blog, we’ll explore the top 100 Metasploit post exploitation modules, categorized with descriptions and presented in an organized table format.

Whether you're preparing for a certification like OSCP or learning cybersecurity from scratch, this guide will help you understand what’s possible after access is gained.

What is Post Exploitation in Metasploit?

Post exploitation refers to the set of activities performed after gaining access to a target system. These actions help hackers or penetration testers:

• Maintain persistence

• Extract sensitive data like passwords or tokens

• Escalate privileges

• Search for further vulnerabilities

• Pivot into internal networks

  
  

Using Metasploit’s post exploitation modules, security professionals can simulate these steps legally during security assessments.

Importance of Post Exploitation Modules in Ethical Hacking

Here are a few reasons why Metasploit post modules are essential:

• ✅ Deep System Intelligence: Collect user credentials, application history, browser data, and configurations.

• ✅ Privilege Escalation: Identify weak permission settings and escalate privileges.

• ✅ Network Pivoting: Expand access beyond the compromised machine.

• ✅ Persistence Techniques: Establish long-term backdoors.

• ✅ Credential Harvesting: Extract Windows hashes, tokens, and SSH keys.

These modules simulate real-world post-intrusion scenarios and are commonly used during red team assessments and penetration testing.

 List of Top 100 Metasploit Post Exploitation Modules (with Categories)

The table below contains categorized 100 popular post exploitation modules based on platform and functionality:

 How to Use Metasploit Post Modules

To start using post modules in Metasploit, use the following commands:

msf6 > show post
msf6 > use post/windows/gather/hashdump
msf6 post(hashdump) > run

To narrow down by platform or function:

msf6 > search type:post platform:linux
msf6 > search type:post name:credentials

 Learn Metasploit Post Exploitation With Real-Time Labs

If you want to master the post-exploitation phase using Metasploit practically, you should enroll in a cybersecurity course that provides:

• ✅ Hands-on labs on real machines

• ✅ Advanced Metasploit training

• ✅ Privilege escalation and persistence

• ✅ Red teaming techniques

Courses that cover OSCP-like labs and CTFs are ideal for developing real-world ethical hacking skills.

Conclusion

The post exploitation modules in Metasploit empower ethical hackers to simulate complete cyber attacks, just like real adversaries. Whether you're doing red team assessments or preparing for penetration testing certification, these modules give you the tools to perform comprehensive assessments and reporting.

FAQs

What is post exploitation in Metasploit?

Post exploitation refers to the phase after gaining access to a target system using Metasploit. It involves gathering data, escalating privileges, creating persistence, and pivoting within a network.

How many post exploitation modules are in Metasploit?

Metasploit includes over 100+ post modules, covering information gathering, credential extraction, persistence, and system control for various platforms.

What is the purpose of post modules in Metasploit?

Post modules help ethical hackers perform activities like data extraction, privilege escalation, network discovery, and maintaining access after an exploit.

Can I use post modules without a session in Metasploit?

No, post exploitation modules require an active session, typically a Meterpreter session, to run on a compromised target.

What are common Metasploit post modules for Windows?

Popular ones include hashdump, mimikatz, enum_chrome, enable_rdp, and persistence.

Which Metasploit modules help in gathering credentials?

Modules like post/windows/gather/hashdump, mimikatz, lsass, and enum_saved_credentials are used to extract passwords and hashes.

What is hashdump in Metasploit?

hashdump is a module that extracts stored password hashes from the Windows SAM file, useful for offline cracking.

What are some Linux post modules in Metasploit?

Examples include enum_configs, gather/ssh_creds, gather/hashdump, and collect_system_info.

How do I run a post module in Metasploit?

Use the command:

Is Mimikatz included in Metasploit?

Yes, Mimikatz is integrated into Metasploit under post/windows/gather/credentials/mimikatz.

How can I escalate privileges using Metasploit post modules?

Use modules like bypass_uac, exploit/windows/local, and manual commands within Meterpreter to check for privilege escalation paths.

What is persistence in Metasploit?

Persistence modules allow you to maintain access to a target even after a reboot or session closure by installing backdoors or services.

Which module enables RDP in Metasploit?

post/windows/manage/enable_rdp enables the Remote Desktop Protocol on a compromised machine.

What does autoroute do in Metasploit?

post/multi/manage/autoroute allows you to route traffic through a compromised host, useful for pivoting.

Can Metasploit extract browser history?

Yes, modules like enum_chrome, enum_firefox, and webhist_collector extract browser data and saved credentials.

What is the use of enum_chrome module?

It gathers saved passwords, bookmarks, and browser history from Google Chrome on Windows systems.

How does Metasploit maintain access to a system?

By using persistence modules that install scheduled tasks, registry keys, or background services to reconnect automatically.

Can I capture screenshots using Metasploit?

Yes, the module post/windows/gather/screenshot captures active desktop screenshots of the target machine.

Which module dumps LSASS process memory?

post/windows/gather/credentials/lsass captures credentials from the LSASS process memory.

What does the arp_scanner module do?

It scans the local network for active IPs and MAC addresses using ARP packets.

Can I collect Wi-Fi credentials with Metasploit?

Yes, modules like post/windows/gather/credentials/wlan help extract stored Wi-Fi passwords.

What module gathers Outlook credentials?

post/windows/gather/credentials/outlook extracts stored email credentials from Microsoft Outlook.

How do I pivot to internal networks using Metasploit?

You can pivot using autoroute, socks4a, and meterpreter port forwarding.

Is Metasploit post exploitation used in OSCP?

Yes, knowing how to use post modules like mimikatz, hashdump, and persistence is essential for OSCP-like labs.

Can I manage Windows services via Metasploit?

Yes, modules like post/windows/manage/service_persistence allow managing or creating malicious services.

What is the execute_powershell module?

It allows running PowerShell scripts on the target system for advanced automation or payload execution.

What platforms are supported for post modules?

Metasploit supports post modules for Windows, Linux, macOS, and multi-platform systems.

How do I find all post modules in Metasploit?

Use the command:

msf6 > show post

What is webcam module in Metasploit?

post/windows/manage/webcam allows capturing images or video from the target’s webcam (if accessible).

Where to learn Metasploit with hands-on practice?

Enroll in a cybersecurity training course with real labs and red teaming exercises to master Metasploit practically.