PowerTools
PowerTools is a collection of PowerShell projects with a focus on offensive operations.
Top Related Projects
Empire is a post-exploitation and adversary emulation framework that is used to aid Red Teams and Penetration Testers.
PowerSploit - A PowerShell Post-Exploitation Framework
Nishang - Offensive PowerShell for red team, penetration testing and offensive security.
Six Degrees of Domain Admin
Covenant is a collaborative .NET C2 framework for red teamers.
Quick Overview
The PowerShellEmpire/PowerTools repository is a collection of various PowerShell scripts and tools designed to enhance the capabilities of PowerShell. It provides a wide range of utilities and scripts that can be used for system administration, security, and other tasks.
Pros
- Extensive Functionality: The repository offers a diverse set of tools and scripts covering a wide range of use cases, from system management to security and automation.
- Active Development: The project is actively maintained, with regular updates and improvements to the existing tools.
- Community Contributions: The repository benefits from contributions from the PowerShell community, ensuring a diverse and well-rounded set of tools.
- Customizability: Many of the tools and scripts are designed to be easily customized and integrated into existing workflows.
Cons
- Potential Security Risks: Some of the tools and scripts may have security implications, and users should exercise caution when using them in production environments.
- Steep Learning Curve: The repository contains a large number of tools, which can make it challenging for new users to navigate and find the appropriate tools for their needs.
- Dependency on PowerShell: The tools and scripts are primarily designed for the PowerShell environment, which may limit their usefulness for users who do not have access to PowerShell or prefer other scripting languages.
- Lack of Comprehensive Documentation: While the repository provides some documentation, it may not be as comprehensive as some users would prefer, making it harder to get started with the tools.
Code Examples
N/A (This is not a code library)
Getting Started
N/A (This is not a code library)
Competitor Comparisons
Empire is a post-exploitation and adversary emulation framework that is used to aid Red Teams and Penetration Testers.
Pros of Empire
- Actively maintained with regular updates and bug fixes
- Expanded functionality beyond PowerShell, including Python and C# modules
- Improved security features and obfuscation techniques
Cons of Empire
- Larger codebase and potentially more complex to use
- May require more system resources due to additional features
- Potentially higher detection rate by antivirus software due to popularity
Code Comparison
PowerTools (PowerShell):
$ProcessName = "notepad"
$Process = Get-Process -Name $ProcessName -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
if ($Process) {
$Process | Stop-Process -Force
}
Empire (Python):
def kill_process(process_name):
for proc in psutil.process_iter():
if proc.name().lower() == process_name.lower():
proc.kill()
return f"Attempted to kill {process_name}"
Both repositories focus on post-exploitation tools, but Empire has evolved into a more comprehensive framework. PowerTools primarily consists of PowerShell scripts, while Empire incorporates multiple languages and a modular structure. Empire's active development and broader feature set make it more versatile, but this comes at the cost of increased complexity and potential detection. PowerTools may be simpler to use for specific PowerShell-based tasks, while Empire offers a more robust solution for complex post-exploitation scenarios.
PowerSploit - A PowerShell Post-Exploitation Framework
Pros of PowerSploit
- More actively maintained with recent updates
- Larger community and contributor base
- Broader range of post-exploitation modules and capabilities
Cons of PowerSploit
- May be more easily detected by antivirus software due to its popularity
- Steeper learning curve for beginners due to its extensive feature set
Code Comparison
PowerSploit:
Get-GPPPassword -Server DC01
Invoke-Mimikatz -DumpCreds
Get-NetComputer -OperatingSystem "*Server 2016*"
PowerTools:
Get-UserProperty -Properties pwdlastset
Invoke-TokenManipulation -ImpersonateUser -Username "admin"
Get-NetLocalGroup -ComputerName DC01
Both repositories offer powerful PowerShell-based post-exploitation tools, but PowerSploit generally provides a more comprehensive set of modules. PowerTools, while less extensive, may offer some unique functions and potentially lower detection rates. The choice between them often depends on specific use cases and the target environment.
Nishang - Offensive PowerShell for red team, penetration testing and offensive security.
Pros of Nishang
- More comprehensive collection of PowerShell scripts for penetration testing
- Actively maintained with regular updates
- Includes scripts for various stages of penetration testing (reconnaissance, exploitation, persistence)
Cons of Nishang
- Less focused on post-exploitation compared to PowerTools
- May require more manual configuration for some scripts
- Lacks some of the advanced features found in PowerTools
Code Comparison
Nishang (Get-Information.ps1):
function Get-Information
{
[CmdletBinding()] Param()
$output = "Computer Name: " + (gc env:computername) + "`n"
$output = $output + "Current User: " + (gc env:username) + "`n"
$output = $output + "Current Domain: " + (gc env:userdomain) + "`n"
return $output
}
PowerTools (Get-ComputerDetails.ps1):
function Get-ComputerDetails {
[CmdletBinding()] Param()
$ComputerName = $env:COMPUTERNAME
$CurrentUser = [System.Security.Principal.WindowsIdentity]::GetCurrent().Name
$Domain = (Get-WmiObject Win32_ComputerSystem).Domain
return [PSCustomObject]@{
ComputerName = $ComputerName
CurrentUser = $CurrentUser
Domain = $Domain
}
}
Both repositories provide valuable PowerShell scripts for penetration testing and post-exploitation activities. Nishang offers a broader range of scripts covering various aspects of penetration testing, while PowerTools focuses more on post-exploitation techniques. The code comparison shows similar functionality implemented with slightly different approaches.
Six Degrees of Domain Admin
Pros of BloodHound
- More focused on Active Directory reconnaissance and attack path visualization
- Provides a graphical interface for easier data interpretation
- Actively maintained with regular updates and community support
Cons of BloodHound
- Requires more setup and dependencies compared to PowerTools
- May be overkill for simpler penetration testing scenarios
- Potentially more resource-intensive due to its graphical nature
Code Comparison
BloodHound (Neo4j Cypher query):
MATCH (u:User {name: 'JohnDoe'})-[r:MemberOf*1..]->(g:Group)
WHERE g.name =~ 'Domain Admins.*'
RETURN u, r, g
PowerTools (PowerShell script):
Get-NetGroupMember -GroupName "Domain Admins" |
Where-Object {$_.MemberName -eq "JohnDoe"} |
Select-Object MemberName, GroupName
Both tools can be used for Active Directory enumeration, but BloodHound offers more advanced visualization and analysis capabilities, while PowerTools provides simpler, script-based functionality. BloodHound is better suited for complex AD environments, whereas PowerTools may be more appropriate for quick, targeted checks.
Covenant is a collaborative .NET C2 framework for red teamers.
Pros of Covenant
- Written in .NET Core, providing cross-platform compatibility
- Features a modern web-based UI for easier management
- Supports multiple users and role-based access control
Cons of Covenant
- Relatively newer project with potentially fewer community contributions
- May have a steeper learning curve for users unfamiliar with .NET
Code Comparison
PowerTools (PowerShell):
$computer = $env:COMPUTERNAME
$user = [System.Security.Principal.WindowsIdentity]::GetCurrent().Name
$domain = $env:USERDOMAIN
$IP = (Get-NetIPAddress | Where-Object {$_.AddressFamily -eq "IPv4" -and $_.IPAddress -notmatch "^(169\.254|0)\."})[0].IPAddress
Covenant (C#):
public class SystemInfo
{
public string MachineName { get; set; }
public string UserName { get; set; }
public string Domain { get; set; }
public string IPAddress { get; set; }
}
Both projects aim to gather system information, but Covenant uses a more structured, object-oriented approach with C#, while PowerTools utilizes PowerShell scripting for direct system queries.
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PowerTools Is Now Deprecated!
PowerView and PowerUp have moved to the PowerSploit repository under ./Recon/ and ./Privesc/ respectively.
PowerPick will move repository locations shortly back to its original home.
PewPewPew is no longer supported.
No pull requests will be accepted and no issues will be answered, however the repository code will be left up for the time being.
Top Related Projects
Empire is a post-exploitation and adversary emulation framework that is used to aid Red Teams and Penetration Testers.
PowerSploit - A PowerShell Post-Exploitation Framework
Nishang - Offensive PowerShell for red team, penetration testing and offensive security.
Six Degrees of Domain Admin
Covenant is a collaborative .NET C2 framework for red teamers.
Convert designs to code with AI
Introducing Visual Copilot: A new AI model to turn Figma designs to high quality code using your components.
Try Visual Copilot