How viable is Android for hacking / penetration testing?

Dr. Keter · 01-02-2017, 04:38 PM

The day I got my phone, I rooted it and slapped on a shiny new CyanogenMod. Since then I've been slowly collecting my arsenal, folders and folders of utilities. Most are just useful IT apps, like ping, SSH, and http server. I try to make my phone as useful as a real computer, because I often don't have access to one. I've also tried a few pentesting apps, like zANTI. I have a C/C++ compiler and a Python interpreter.

Is an Android phone just as capable as a computer?

Skullmeat · 01-02-2017, 04:43 PM

(01-02-2017, 04:38 PM)Dr. Keter Wrote: The day I got my phone, I rooted it and slapped on a shiny new CyanogenMod. Since then I've been slowly collecting my arsenal, folders and folders of utilities. Most are just useful IT apps, like ping, SSH, and http server. I try to make my phone as useful as a real computer, because I often don't have access to one. I've also tried a few pentesting apps, like zANTI. I have a C/C++ compiler and a Python interpreter.

Is an Android phone just as capable as a computer?

I haven't tried. I would go with a battery powered raspberry pi and ssh into it via a cell phone.

Dr. Keter · 01-02-2017, 04:46 PM

Skullmeat Wrote: I haven't tried. I would go with a battery powered raspberry pi and ssh into it via a cell phone.

This is exactly what I've been thinking of doing.

Pikami · 01-02-2017, 04:54 PM

You can have a chroot of some linux system in your phone witch would be like running a separate OS on top of Android.
I have a Gentoo chroot on my phone so I can download anything from gentoo's repositories and it just runs. I have nmap, python, netcat and shit load of other tools that can make you look cool Biggrin

If you plan on doing this I recommend doing it with Debian, because Gentoo is a pain to setup and keep running...

pvnk · 01-02-2017, 04:55 PM

I have Kali on my phone...

insidious · 01-02-2017, 05:21 PM

I mean, I would think an android phone would really only be at it's peak usability in certain usecases. Most of the time it's probably better to use a laptop or something. But i'm sure if you need to get access quickly in a building without being noticed, for instance, the android phone would be the most viable solution (it's much less conspicious then pulling out a laptop).

There are distributions like Kali and stuff for android so they're used for something!

DarkMuse · 01-03-2017, 05:29 AM

Great question!

Someone already kind of began to mention this but it is possible to root and install linux distros onto the device whether it be a tablet or a phone. I know that Kali LInux is perfectly capable with most of the mentioned devices and I'm actually currently trying to root a semi cheap tablet I got for Christmas as I really have no other use for it. The only limitation I can think of albeit obvious would be whatever processor you have.

Good luck!

pvnk · 01-03-2017, 07:17 PM

(01-03-2017, 05:29 AM)DarkMuse Wrote: Great question!

Someone already kind of began to mention this but it is possible to root and install linux distros onto the device whether it be a tablet or a phone. I know that Kali LInux is perfectly capable with most of the mentioned devices and I'm actually currently trying to root a semi cheap tablet I got for Christmas as I really have no other use for it. The only limitation I can think of albeit obvious would be whatever processor you have.

Good luck!

No one's mentioned any devices...

Kali Linux was built strictly for the Nexus and OnePlus line of phones... Stressed

Blink · 01-03-2017, 11:29 PM

You can run many Linux distros on android devices [via chroot].

There is also many apps (such as zAnti that you mentioned) made for penetration testing.

Spoiler: I recommend cSploit over zAnti 

However, overall, it is not nearly as capable as a computer or Raspberry Pi.

DarkMuse · 01-04-2017, 12:22 AM

(01-03-2017, 07:17 PM)pvnk Wrote:
(01-03-2017, 05:29 AM)DarkMuse Wrote: Great question!

Someone already kind of began to mention this but it is possible to root and install linux distros onto the device whether it be a tablet or a phone. I know that Kali LInux is perfectly capable with most of the mentioned devices and I'm actually currently trying to root a semi cheap tablet I got for Christmas as I really have no other use for it. The only limitation I can think of albeit obvious would be whatever processor you have.

Good luck!

No one's mentioned any devices...

Kali Linux was built strictly for the Nexus and OnePlus line of phones...

Not quite. I've seen videos of it working on other devices. Just needs like 4 or 6 core processors. It's an open-source operating system, why would it be so limited?