What’s different between version 1.1.2 to version 2. Well… keep reading
In version 2 I added more dynamic analysis tools such as MARA, PIDCat, QARK. In the pentesting section, I added Metasploit. I also added MobSF (a one stop shop with dynamic scanning for android applications) in a docker container. In version 1.1.2 I tried to upgrade my python version to 3.7.5 and broke my Linux build (could not update the distro).
After speaking with Anant (owner/creator of @AndroidTamer) we decided to put MobSF into a docker container to keep it contained and not break our build.
I also created the virtual machine from a vagrant machine, as I realized with version 1, I severely underestimated the storage I needed to include all the programs I wanted. I also included insecure android apps to test in the Documents folder.
Interested in learning more – download/use the virtual machine at the following location:
As the title suggests, I am working on the second version of the virtual machine I created in 2019.
I put myself out there and decided to create a training on Mobile Security and Bug Bounties – something I wanted to learn and am still interested in.
I noticed there was a virtual machine titled – Android Tamer, score! Well… not really. At the time, Android Tamer was SUPER out of date. Speaking with the creator, Anant Shrivastava about my dilemma needing a virtual machine for my training. Anant told me that it would be easier to create my own virtual machine as opposed to fixing the current version of Android Tamer.
Creating my own virtual machine? I’ve never done that before. Challenge accepted!
Anant, was SUPER helpful with all of my questions and guided me on creating the virtual machine. In about a month the first version was created. Yay!
After the training, I asked for feedback and decided I needed to revamp the virtual machine to make it more accessible/user friendly.
I added and updated out of date software in the virtual machine.
Then I noticed – I was running out of memory when trying to do my upgrades.
I realized at that moment, I totally underestimated the size of the virtual machine.
So, at this time I am revamping the virtual machine and starting with a barebone version of Ubuntu 18.04 (this is the OS the first version was built on) from Vagrant. Again, Anant gave me this advice when creating the first version. I didn’t go down that path as I never heard of Vagrant.
Speaking of Vagrant – shameless plug – I created a course through Cybrary on Intro to Vagrant. The course can be found here.
I started on the quest to version 2 yesterday (Sunday February 7, 2021), and I must say it was trying, yet fun.
Once I created the vagrantfile and started the vagrant box I realized I was dealing with the command prompt. I knew this wasn’t going to work and I needed to add a user interface. Looking on the internet, I found the lightdm and tried installing it. Once I rebooted my virtual machine, I encountered the error “could not log into session.” The login did not work.
Putting my research hat, I found the following link on how to remediate the no session login. Hmm, the ligthdm is using an older version of the unity framework that needs to be removed.
Rebooting the machine – it was a…
Somewhat success.
I had a user interface, but I didn’t like it. See tweets below
: Here's a screenshot of the VM. I want to have the same look and feel as Ubuntu 18.04. Need to do more research. I'll probably create a blog when I'm done. #MobileSecuritypic.twitter.com/90ihMytwCt
I wanted the user interface to have the same feel as the 18.04 Bionic Beaver operating system.
Doing even more research I found that 18.04 Bionic Beaver is using the MATE desktop.
Back to Google I go. I found a great site on how to install MATE onto a Linux operating system.
Somewhat score? The user interface is getting close, but not there.
: Progress!!! Research showed 18.04 Bionic Beaver was using MATE desktop. So scrapped my original VM, created a new one in #Vagrant and installed MATE desktop. Here's the update… pic.twitter.com/Cnzzl6KoH5
Going back to the site above, I noticed that I installed the wrong version of the MATE desktop. I installed just the MATE desktop without the bells and whistles.
Looking at the bottom for the Ubuntu section it states – “
Alternatively you may choose to install Ubuntu MATE Remix.
Ubuntu MATE is a more comprehensive option that offers a slightly tweaked layout, configuration, and themes to integrate into Ubuntu in a more seamless fashion. This will install the complete MATE Desktop Environment as well as LightDM and numerous other applications to provide a full and well rounded desktop.“
Once I installed the Remixed version – I finally found success!
Now that I have the interface I wanted – it’s time to add the tools and insecure apps.
Yes, that’s what set my virtual machine apart – I have insecure android apps installed in the virtual machine for students to learn mobile and android hacking as well as the common programs needed to perform mobile and android hacking.
During the weekend I participated as a speaker at the Blacks in Cybersecurity Winter Conference. This conference was online, and was a GREAT experience. I learned a lot of information and was able to meet with a lot of people and recruiters.
Anyway, my training today (Saturday February 6, 2021) was on reversing an Android application. In my training I talked about how apps are not safe by showing case studies (as recent as last week!) along with describing the components of an Android app. Next, I talked about how to reverse an Android app and how to do dynamic analysis using Frida. I finished the course by having a lab where I put all of the pieces together with the UnCrackable-Level1.apk.
Note – The virtual machine we’re using for this training is one that I created. The VM is titled, IntroToAndroidSecurity version 1.1.2. This VM has the common tools for Android Hacking in one place. I also included insecure Android apps in the virtual machine as well for participants to continue their learning/growth in mobile security. For the training I also used an Android emulator (Androidx86). I did this as I wanted all the participants to be on the same playing field. If we were doing mobile security as a job, we would want to have a real physical device.
Without further ado – here are my slides from the training.
Also, if you want to download the virtual machines (IntroToAndroidSecurity and Androidx86) from my training go to my Source Forge link here.
Note – Click on the External Links tab to get the VMs.
I am also including the documents I created for this training as well –
To set up the mobile lab, you will need the first two documents. I included the third document just in case the second document (importing Androidx86) does not work.
Document 4 is the walkthrough of the lab that I completed during the training.
