Empire 6.3.0: Elevating Red Team Operations with Advanced Features
BC Security has unveiled Empire 6.3.0, the latest version of its renowned post-exploitation and adversary emulation framework. This release introduces significant enhancements tailored for Red Teams and penetration testers, reinforcing Empire’s status as a pivotal tool in cybersecurity operations.
Unified Architecture and Enhanced Agent Support
Empire 6.3.0 maintains its streamlined server/client architecture, facilitating collaborative engagements among multiple operators. This design ensures seamless teamwork while upholding encrypted communications for secure operations.
A standout feature in this update is the expanded support for various agent languages, enabling deployment across diverse environments. The framework now accommodates agents written in PowerShell, Python 3, C#, IronPython 3, and Go. The inclusion of Go agents is particularly noteworthy, as it allows execution on systems where interpreted languages may be restricted, thereby broadening operational reach.
Integrated Starkiller GUI
The Starkiller graphical user interface (GUI) is now integrated as a Git submodule within Empire 6.3.0. This integration simplifies the setup process, eliminating the need for complex independent configurations. Starkiller interfaces directly with Empire’s API, offering a user-friendly alternative to the command-line client and enhancing the overall user experience.
Advanced Evasion Techniques
Security evasion remains a focal point in this release. Empire 6.3.0 incorporates JA3/S and JARM evasion techniques, which help blend traffic profiles to bypass network detection mechanisms. Additionally, the framework integrates obfuscation tools like ConfuserEx 2 and Invoke-Obfuscation, effectively masking payloads from antivirus and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions.
Extensive Module Library
The module library has been significantly expanded, now featuring over 400 supported tools. This includes popular tools such as Mimikatz, Rubeus, and Seatbelt, as well as custom C# assemblies compiled via the integrated Roslyn compiler. This modular design allows operators to rapidly extend functionality by adding custom plugins or utilizing the flexible module interface for new tools.
Installation and Deployment
Empire 6.3.0 offers versatile installation options, supporting environments like Docker, Kali Linux, ParrotOS, Ubuntu 22.04/24.04, and Debian 11/12. This flexibility ensures that users can deploy the framework in various operational contexts.
Installation Quickstart:
“`bash
git clone –recursive https://github.com/BC-SECURITY/Empire.git
cd Empire
./setup/checkout-latest-tag.sh
./ps-empire install -y
./ps-empire server
“`
Conclusion
Empire 6.3.0 represents a significant advancement in post-exploitation frameworks, offering enhanced features that cater to the evolving needs of Red Teams and penetration testers. Its unified architecture, expanded agent support, integrated GUI, advanced evasion techniques, and extensive module library collectively contribute to more effective and efficient cybersecurity operations.
