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In computing and telecommunications, the payload is the part of transmitted data that is the actual intended message. Headers and metadata are sent only to enable payload delivery [1] [2] and are considered overhead. In the context of a computer virus or worm, the payload is the portion of the malware which performs malicious action.
In hacking, a shellcode is a small piece of code used as the payload in the exploitation of a software vulnerability.It is called "shellcode" because it typically starts a command shell from which the attacker can control the compromised machine, but any piece of code that performs a similar task can be called shellcode.
When the unsuspecting end user opens the document, the malicious code in question (known as the payload) is executed and performs the abusive tasks it was programmed to execute, which may include things such as spreading itself further, opening up unauthorized access to the IT system, stealing or encrypting the user's documents, etc.
A white hat (or a white-hat hacker, a whitehat) is an ethical security hacker. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] Ethical hacking is a term meant to imply a broader category than just penetration testing. [ 3 ] [ 4 ] Under the owner's consent, white-hat hackers aim to identify any vulnerabilities or security issues the current system has. [ 5 ]
Additionally, while typically described as a static type of attack, CSRF can also be dynamically constructed as part of a payload for a cross-site scripting attack, as demonstrated by the Samy worm, or constructed on the fly from session information leaked via offsite content and sent to a target as a malicious URL.
Typically, the proxy or VPN applications enabling pivoting are executed on the target computer as the payload of an exploit. Pivoting is usually done by infiltrating a part of a network infrastructure (as an example, a vulnerable printer or thermostat) and using a scanner to find other devices connected to attack them.
A security hacker or security researcher is someone who explores methods for breaching defenses and exploiting weaknesses in a computer system or network. [1] Hackers may be motivated by a multitude of reasons, such as profit, protest, information gathering, [2] challenge, recreation, [3] or evaluation of a system weaknesses to assist in formulating defenses against potential hackers.
The illegal operation, or payload in Metasploit terminology, can include functions for logging keystrokes, taking screenshots, installing adware, stealing credentials, creating backdoors using shellcode, or altering data. Some companies maintain large databases of known exploits and provide products that automatically test target systems for ...