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Cybersecurity-Homelab-and-Penetration-Testing-Project

I designed and implemented a multi-platform cybersecurity homelab to simulate real-world Enterprise environments for practicing penetration testing, Network defense, and Active Directory management. I am building this homelab to stimulate both Offensive and Defensive Security

Cybersecurity Homelab

Overview

This project is a hands-on cybersecurity homelab designed to simulate real-world working environments. The lab includes a firewall (OPNsense), a vulnerable (Metasploitable 2) machine for ethical hacking, a Windows Server with Active Directory, a Kali Linux machine for penetration testing, and a Windows client machine for domain joining and interaction. The goal of the lab is to practice penetration testing, vulnerability scanning, network defense, and Active Directory management in a secure and controlled virtual environment.

Network Topology

Network Diagram The network diagram above illustrates the architecture of the HomeLab environment.

Virtual Network Configuration

Ensure that your virtualization platform (e.g., VMware Workstation or VirtualBox) is configured with the following virtual networks:

  • VLan3: Used for connecting pfSense.
  • VLan1: Used for connecting Kali Linux, windows client machine and the victim machine.
  • VLan2: Used for connecting windows Server and mail server.

The homelab consists of the following components:

  • Firewall/Router: OPNsense firewall managing network segmentation and traffic filtering. Also act as a router, VPN and IDS/IPS configuration.
  • Penetration Testing: Kali Linux machine for ethical hacking and security assessments.
  • Vulnerable Target: Metasploitable 2 machine with various vulnerabilities for exploitation.
  • Active Directory Environment: Windows Server 2019 configured with Active Directory for managing users, groups, and policies.
  • Windows Client Machine: A Windows 10 client machine connected to the AD domain for testing domain user operations and policies.

Components

1. OPNsense Firewall

  • Configured firewall rules to control and filter LAN and WAN traffic.
  • Implemented VLANs for network segmentation, separating internal network segments , One for the client machines and one for the servers.
  • Installed and configured Suricata IDS/IPS for monitoring and blocking malicious network traffic.
  • Enabled VPN access for secure remote access to the lab.

2. Kali Linux (Penetration Testing Machine)

  • Kali Linux serves as the main platform for penetration testing and vulnerability assessments.
  • Used tools such as Nmap, Metasploit, Burp Suite, and Wireshark,Mfconsole,Veiland lot of vulnerablities scanning and exploitation tools to conduct security testing.
  • Launched attacks against the Metasploitable machine and Windows Server to identify vulnerabilities and test defense mechanisms.
  • Conducted network reconnaissance, vulnerability scanning, and exploitation tasks.

3. Metasploitable 2 (Vulnerable Target)

  • Metasploitable 2 is used as the vulnerable machine to practice exploitation techniques.
  • Vulnerability scanning was performed using Nmap and OpenVAS to discover services with known vulnerabilities.
  • Successfully exploited vulnerabilities such as FTP, SSH, and MySQL using Metasploit Framework.
  • Documented the exploitation process, results, and mitigations.

4. Windows Server 2019 with Active Directory

  • Deployed Windows Server 2019 with Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) to simulate an enterprise-level AD environment.
  • Created users, groups, and Group Policy Objects (GPOs) to enforce security policies and manage network resources.
  • Tested Active Directory exploitation techniques such as Kerberoasting, Pass-the-Hash, and Lateral Movement using tools like BloodHound and PowerView.
  • Demonstrated secure password policies, account lockout mechanisms, and multi-factor authentication (MFA).

5. Windows 10 Client Machine

  • Joined the Windows 10 client machine to the Active Directory domain.
  • Tested AD user logins, group policies, and security settings from a client perspective.
  • Simulated attacks on the client machine to see how GPOs and other security settings could prevent or limit user exploitation.
  • Interacted with shared network resources and remote services, testing network policies and permissions.
  • Also act as a target Machine to carry out the attacks like malware deployment and browser exploitation and MITM attacks.

Tools and Technologies

  • Firewall/IDS: OPNsense, Suricata
  • Penetration Testing: Kali Linux with tools like Metasploit, Nmap, Burp Suite, Wireshark, BeeF and lot more.
  • Vulnerability Scanning: OpenVAS
  • Active Directory: Windows Server 2019, BloodHound, PowerView
  • Operating Systems: Kali Linux, Windows Server, Windows 10, Ubuntu
  • Automation: Bash scripting, Python, Powershell, Ruby, Perl etc.

Project Structure

  • images/: Contains screenshots for various configuation and tasks.
  • config/: Configuration files for OPNsense, Suricata, and other tools.
  • scripts/: Bash, Python, Perl and Python and other scripts for automation and testing.
  • reports/: Vulnerability reports, penetration testing documentation.

How to Set Up the Homelab

Prerequisites

  • VirtualBox or VMware Workstation for virtualization ,here I am using VMware workstation.
  • ISO files for Windows Server, Kali Linux, Windows 10, and Metasploitable 2
  • OPNsense ISO for firewall setup

Step 1: Set Up OPNsense Firewall

  • Download and install OPNsense in VMware workstation.
  • Configure WAN and LAN interfaces.
  • Set up firewall rules and VLANs for network segmentation and traffic management.

Step 2: Deploy Metasploitable 2 for Vulnerability Testing

  • Install Metasploitable 2 and connect it to the internal network.
  • Use Nmap and OpenVAS for vulnerability discovery and testing.

Step 3: Set Up Windows Server with Active Directory

  • Install Windows Server 2019 and configure Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS).
  • Create users, groups, and GPOs to enforce security policies.

Step 4: Set Up Kali Linux for Penetration Testing

  • Install Kali Linux and connect it to the internal network.
  • Perform network reconnaissance, vulnerability scanning, and exploitation tasks on the Metasploitable and Windows Server machines.

Step 5: Set Up Windows 10 Client

  • Install Windows 10 and join the machine to the Active Directory domain.
  • Test domain logins, policies, and user interactions with the network environment.

Sample Reports and Screenshots

Future Enhancements

  • Add more vulnerable machines (e.g., OWASP Juice Shop) to expand penetration testing scope.
  • Automate daily vulnerability scans and alerting with Bash and Python scripts.
  • Implement advanced red team/blue team exercises using Cobalt Strike for adversary emulation.
  • Add a Linux server to simulate an enterprise multi-platform environment.