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Matt Glass

Unicorn is a tool that penetration testers and ethical hackers can use to generate PowerShell commands to enable the execution of shellcode on Windows hosts. In this course, Execution with Unicorn, you’ll cover how to utilize Unicorn to execute PowerShell downgrade attacks in a red team environment. First, you’ll see how to use Unicorn for a PowerShell attack. Next, you’ll discover Unicorn’s features to create additional attacks. Finally, you’ll learn to simulate client execution exploits by testing payloads on a vulnerable host. When you’re finished with this course, you’ll have the skills and knowledge to execute these techniques T1059.001: Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell, and T1023: Exploitation for Client Execution using Unicorn. More importantly, knowing how these techniques can be used against you will lend to your ability as an organization, or an individual, to detect and defend against specific attack vectors.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview
Execution with Unicorn
Resources

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
This course is geared toward security professionals seeking to enhance their skills in exploiting Windows systems

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Execution with Unicorn with these activities:
Review basic PowerShell scripting
Ensure you have a strong foundation in PowerShell scripting before starting the course.
Browse courses on Powershell
Show steps
  • Review online tutorials or documentation
  • Practice writing simple PowerShell scripts
Read 'The Art of Exploitation' by Jon Erickson
Gain a comprehensive understanding of exploitation techniques and their defenses.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of the book
  • Read and understand the concepts presented
Join a study group or online forum to discuss Unicorn and exploitation techniques
Connect with other learners and exchange knowledge and experiences.
Browse courses on Exploitation
Show steps
  • Identify or create a relevant study group
  • Participate in discussions and ask questions
  • Collaborate on projects or experiments
Eight other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all 11 activities
Follow a tutorial on using Unicorn to simulate client execution exploits
This tutorial will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to use Unicorn to simulate client execution exploits.
Show steps
  • Find a tutorial on using Unicorn to simulate client execution exploits.
  • Follow the steps in the tutorial.
Practice creating PowerShell scripts to exploit remote hosts
Reinforce your understanding of how to write PowerShell scripts and use them to exploit remote hosts.
Show steps
  • Set up a virtual environment for testing
  • Create a PowerShell script to exploit a common vulnerability
  • Test your script on a vulnerable host
  • Analyze the results and identify areas for improvement
Attend a workshop on exploitation using Unicorn
Gain hands-on experience and learn from experts in the field.
Browse courses on Exploitation
Show steps
  • Identify and register for a relevant workshop
  • Attend the workshop and participate actively
  • Apply what you've learned to your own projects or experiments
Practice creating PowerShell downgrade attacks
Performing this technique will reinforce how to execute PowerShell downgrade attacks in a red team environment.
Show steps
  • Set up a vulnerable Windows host.
  • Use Unicorn to generate PowerShell commands.
  • Execute the PowerShell commands on the vulnerable host.
Follow tutorials on advanced exploitation techniques using Unicorn
Expand your knowledge of advanced exploitation techniques by following guided tutorials.
Browse courses on Unicorn
Show steps
  • Identify a tutorial on a topic of interest
  • Follow the steps in the tutorial carefully
  • Test your understanding by replicating the technique
Build a small-scale penetration testing tool using Unicorn
Apply your knowledge to a practical project and build a tool you can use in real-world scenarios.
Browse courses on Penetration Testing
Show steps
  • Define the scope and functionality of your tool
  • Design the architecture and implementation
  • Develop and test the tool
  • Deploy and use the tool in a practical setting
Write a blog post about using Unicorn
Writing a blog post about using Unicorn will help you solidify your understanding of the tool and how to use it effectively.
Show steps
  • Choose a specific topic related to Unicorn that you want to write about.
  • Research the topic and gather information.
  • Write a blog post that is clear and concise, and provides valuable information to your readers.
Write a blog post or article on a specific exploitation technique you learned
Solidify your understanding of a technique by explaining it to others.
Show steps
  • Choose a technique to write about
  • Research the technique thoroughly
  • Write a clear and concise explanation
  • Proofread and edit your work
  • Publish your blog post or article

Career center

Learners who complete Execution with Unicorn will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Penetration Tester
Unicorn is a powerful tool for penetration testers, providing various techniques to exploit Windows hosts. As a Penetration Tester, you are responsible for identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities in systems to enhance their security posture. This course will empower you with Unicorn's capabilities to expand your testing methods, thereby enhancing your skills and effectiveness in this field.
Ethical Hacker
Ethical Hackers are entrusted with the responsibility of assessing and improving the security of computer systems and networks. This course on Execution with Unicorn will introduce you to advanced techniques for exploiting Windows hosts, including PowerShell downgrade attacks. By understanding these methods, you can better simulate real-world attacks and enhance your ability to protect systems from malicious actors.
Cybersecurity Analyst
Cybersecurity Analysts monitor, identify, and respond to security incidents within computer systems. This course will provide you with a deep understanding of Unicorn, a tool used to execute PowerShell commands and exploit vulnerabilities. By mastering these techniques, you can significantly strengthen your cybersecurity analysis capabilities and contribute to a more secure digital environment.
Security Engineer
Security Engineers design, implement, and maintain security measures to protect organizations from cyber threats. This course on Execution with Unicorn will equip you with advanced tactics for exploiting Windows systems. By leveraging Unicorn's capabilities, you can enhance your ability to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities, ensuring the security and integrity of systems within an organization.
Information Security Analyst
Information Security Analysts are responsible for protecting an organization's confidential data and systems from unauthorized access and cyber threats. This course will provide you with hands-on experience in using Unicorn to execute PowerShell downgrade attacks, empowering you to enhance your security analysis capabilities and strengthen the protection of sensitive information.
Security Consultant
Security Consultants provide advice and guidance to organizations on how to improve their security posture. This course on Execution with Unicorn will equip you with advanced techniques for exploiting Windows hosts, enabling you to offer specialized insights to clients and assist them in mitigating vulnerabilities and enhancing their overall security.
Network Security Engineer
Network Security Engineers design, implement, and manage network security systems to protect organizations from cyber threats. This course will provide you with practical experience in using Unicorn to exploit Windows hosts. By understanding these techniques, you can strengthen your network security measures and enhance the protection of critical network infrastructure.
Cybersecurity Architect
Cybersecurity Architects develop and implement comprehensive security strategies to protect organizations from cyber threats. This course on Execution with Unicorn will provide you with advanced techniques for exploiting Windows hosts, enabling you to design more robust and effective security architectures that can withstand sophisticated cyberattacks.
Incident Responder
Incident Responders are responsible for responding to and mitigating cyber security incidents. This course on Execution with Unicorn will provide you with hands-on experience in exploiting Windows hosts. By understanding these techniques, you can enhance your incident response capabilities and effectively contain and neutralize cyber threats.
Vulnerability Analyst
Vulnerability Analysts identify, assess, and prioritize vulnerabilities in computer systems and networks. This course on Execution with Unicorn will provide you with advanced techniques for exploiting Windows hosts, enabling you to conduct more thorough vulnerability assessments and contribute to the development of effective mitigation strategies.
Security Auditor
Security Auditors assess the effectiveness of an organization's security measures and identify areas for improvement. This course on Execution with Unicorn will provide you with practical experience in exploiting Windows hosts. By understanding these techniques, you can enhance your auditing capabilities and provide valuable insights to organizations seeking to strengthen their security posture.
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) are responsible for overseeing an organization's information security program. This course on Execution with Unicorn will provide you with advanced techniques for exploiting Windows hosts, enabling you to gain a deeper understanding of the threats faced by organizations and to develop more effective security strategies.
Computer Scientist
This course on Execution with Unicorn may be useful for Computer Scientists interested in specializing in cybersecurity. Unicorn provides advanced techniques for exploiting Windows hosts, which can enhance your understanding of system vulnerabilities and contribute to the development of more robust security measures.
Software Engineer
Software Engineers may find this course on Execution with Unicorn helpful for developing a deeper understanding of security vulnerabilities in Windows systems. Unicorn provides advanced techniques for exploiting hosts, which can contribute to the design and implementation of more secure software applications.
Systems Administrator
This course on Execution with Unicorn may be useful for Systems Administrators responsible for managing Windows systems. Unicorn provides advanced techniques for exploiting hosts, which can enhance your understanding of potential vulnerabilities and contribute to the implementation of more effective security measures.

Reading list

We've selected five books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Execution with Unicorn.
A practical guide to using PowerShell for penetration testing, providing step-by-step instructions for executing real-world attacks.
Provides a deep dive into the internal workings of Windows. The book will help you understand how Windows works, which is essential for developing effective PowerShell attacks.
Provides a comprehensive overview of exploitation techniques, including a section on PowerShell attacks. A valuable resource for understanding the fundamentals of exploitation.
A comprehensive reference for PowerShell, covering all aspects of the language from basic syntax to advanced scripting.

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