
To begin, we will need to compromise the target and get a Meterpreter session.

The method of exploitation doesn't matter so much here, as long as you can get a Meterpreter session on the target. We will be using an unpatched version Windows 7 as the target, so if you have a copy lying around, feel free to use it. Metasploit actually contains a little-known module version of JTR that can be used to quickly crack weak passwords, so let's explore it in an attempt to save precious time and effort. It's a powerful piece of software that can be configured and used in many different ways.


There are many password-cracking tools out there, but one of the mainstays has always been John the Ripper.
