How To Use The Wash Command To Find Wps Enabled Routers With Backtrack 5 Or Kali Linux

Hannah Arendt

2 min read

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09-12-2024

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Finding WPS-enabled routers can be a valuable tool for penetration testing and security assessments, provided you have explicit permission from the owner. This guide will walk you through using the wash command within Backtrack 5 or Kali Linux to identify such routers. Remember: Using this information without explicit permission is illegal and unethical. This information is for educational purposes only.

Understanding WPS and its Vulnerabilities

Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) was designed to simplify the process of connecting devices to a Wi-Fi network. However, vulnerabilities in certain implementations have allowed attackers to bypass security measures and gain unauthorized access. The wash command exploits one such weakness.

Using the Wash Command

The wash command, often found in Backtrack 5 and Kali Linux distributions, leverages WPS vulnerabilities to attempt to brute-force the PIN code required for connection. This process can take time and may not always be successful, depending on the router's firmware and security configuration.

Prerequisites

Before proceeding, ensure you have:

• Backtrack 5 or Kali Linux: This operating system provides the necessary tools.
• Wireless Network Adapter: Your adapter must support monitor mode.
• Root Privileges: You'll need root access to run the wash command effectively.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Enable Monitor Mode: Put your wireless adapter into monitor mode. The specific command depends on your adapter, but typically involves commands like airmon-ng start wlan0 (replace wlan0 with your adapter's interface name).

2. Identify Wireless Networks: Use the airodump-ng command to identify nearby wireless networks. This command will list available networks, including their BSSID (unique identifier). Note the BSSID of the target WPS-enabled router. For example: airodump-ng wlan0mon (replace wlan0mon with your monitor interface name).

3. Run Wash: Once you have the BSSID, run the wash command, specifying the BSSID as an argument. This might look like: wash -i wlan0mon <BSSID>. Replace <BSSID> with the actual BSSID of the target router.

4. Analysis: The wash command will attempt to crack the WPS PIN. The output will indicate progress and, if successful, will provide the WPS PIN and potentially the network's password.

5. Disable Monitor Mode: After completing the scan, remember to disable monitor mode using a command like airmon-ng stop wlan0mon.

Important Considerations

• Legality: It's crucial to stress that attempting to access a wireless network without permission is illegal. This guide is provided for educational purposes only. Always obtain explicit consent before performing any security testing.

• Ethical Implications: Responsible disclosure of vulnerabilities is paramount. If you discover a security flaw, report it to the vendor responsibly, rather than exploiting it.

• Firmware Updates: Keeping your router's firmware updated is essential to mitigate the risk of WPS vulnerabilities.

This guide provides a basic overview of using the wash command. More advanced techniques and tools exist for WPS exploitation, but this serves as a starting point for understanding the process. Always remember to act ethically and legally when working with these tools.