Red Team Learning Resources

A structured roadmap to mastering Red Team techniques, tools, and methodologies for simulating real-world cyberattacks.


1. Overview and Fundamentals

What is Red Teaming?

Red Teaming involves simulating real-world adversarial attacks to test an organization’s cybersecurity defenses.

    Core Concepts to Learn:

  • Attack Lifecycle: Reconnaissance, exploitation, lateral movement, and exfiltration.
  • Adversary Simulation: Mimicking real-world threat actors.
  • Threat Models: Understanding TTPs (Tactics, Techniques, Procedures).
  • Understanding MITRE ATT&CK Framework.
  • Post-Exploitation Tactics.

2. Key Red Team Tools

This section presents a range of essential tools used in Red Team operations, grouped into categories to cover different phases of a simulated attack.

Reconnaissance
  • Shodan: Search engine for Internet-connected devices.
  • Maltego: Visual link analysis tool for OSINT (Open Source Intelligence).
  • theHarvester: Gathers emails, subdomains, and other relevant information.
  • Nmap: Powerful and versatile network scanner, used for host and service discovery.
Exploitation
  • Metasploit: Vulnerability exploitation framework.
  • Cobalt Strike: Advanced tool for post-exploitation and threat emulation.
  • Impacket: Collection of Python classes for working with network protocols, useful for SMB and Active Directory exploitation.
Privilege Escalation
  • LinPEAS and WinPEAS: Scripts for local privilege escalation on Linux and Windows systems.
  • PowerSploit: PowerShell-based post-exploitation framework.
Lateral Movement
  • BloodHound: Graphical tool for visualizing and analyzing relationships in Active Directory, identifying attack paths.
  • CrackMapExec: Post-exploitation tool for lateral movement in Windows networks, useful for credential testing and command execution.
Exfiltration
  • Rclone: Command-line utility for syncing and transferring data to and from various cloud services.
  • PowerShell Scripts: Custom PowerShell scripts for data exfiltration.
Other Offensive Tools (Red Team)
  • YARA: Tool for identifying and classifying malware based on rules (pattern matching).
  • WireGuard: Modern, fast, and secure VPN (Virtual Private Network).
  • Kali Linux: Linux distribution specialized for penetration testing and security auditing.
  • Phish.Report: Phishing simulation and security awareness training platform.
Tools for SOAR and Analysis
  • TheHive & Cortex: SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response) platform for incident management. (Including TheHive as Cortex is an extension of it)
  • Velociraptor: Advanced tool for data collection and analysis in security investigations and incident response.

3. Hands-On Practice Platforms

Cyber Range Platforms
  • TryHackMe: Red Teaming paths and labs.
  • Hack The Box: Pro Labs for Red Team scenarios.
  • Cyber Range Labs: Realistic attack simulations.
Certifications Labs
  • Offensive Security Proving Grounds: Practice for OSCP/OSCE.
  • Zero Point Security Red Team Ops: Advanced Red Team training.

4. Real-Life Applications of Blue Teaming

Enterprise Security Testing
  • Simulating APT (Advanced Persistent Threat) attacks.
  • Testing the effectiveness of detection and response mechanisms.
Cloud Security Assessments
  • Compromising misconfigured cloud environments.
  • Testing cloud access controls and permissions.
Active Directory Penetration Testing
  • Exploiting AD misconfigurations and credentials.
  • Mapping attack paths for domain escalation.
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