Unveiling the Red Team Arsenal: Payload Development Tactics — Red Teaming Toolkit Series (Part 3)

Nixie_Bytes Security Team
3 min readJan 21, 2024

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In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, red teaming plays a pivotal role in evaluating an organization’s security posture. In this blog post, we focus on a critical aspect of red teaming: Payload Development Tactics. The Red Teaming Toolkit Series continues as we explore potent tools, frameworks, and scripts designed to elevate red team operations to new heights.

Payload Development Tactics:

1. Ivy

Description: Ivy stands as a versatile payload creation framework, specializing in the execution of arbitrary VBA (macro) source code directly in memory. It empowers red teamers to craft sophisticated macros that can be executed seamlessly, enhancing the stealth and effectiveness of their operations.

URL: Ivy on GitHub

2. PEzor

Description: PEzor is an open-source PE packer, providing red teamers with a powerful tool to compress and obfuscate Portable Executable (PE) files. It aids in evading detection mechanisms and enhances the overall stealth of payloads.

URL: PEzor on GitHub

3. GadgetToJScript

Description: GadgetToJScript is a sophisticated tool that generates .NET serialized gadgets capable of triggering .NET assembly load/execution. This tool is invaluable for red teamers, enabling them to embed malicious payloads within JS/VBS/VBA scripts and execute them seamlessly.

URL: GadgetToJScript on GitHub

4. ScareCrow

Description: ScareCrow is a payload creation framework strategically designed around evading Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) systems. It equips red teamers with the means to develop payloads that circumvent advanced security measures, enhancing the success rate of red team operations.

URL: ScareCrow on GitHub

5. Donut

Description: Donut introduces position-independent code that facilitates in-memory execution of various file types, including VBScript, JScript, EXE, DLL files, and dotNET assemblies. It provides red teamers with a flexible and powerful tool for executing payloads without relying on traditional file-based methods.

URL: Donut on GitHub

6. Mystikal

Description: Mystikal serves as a macOS Initial Access Payload Generator, offering red teamers a specialized tool for crafting payloads tailored to Apple’s operating system. It addresses the evolving landscape of multi-platform red teaming operations.

URL: Mystikal on GitHub

7. charlotte

Description: Charlotte is a C++ fully undetected shellcode launcher, providing red teamers with a stealthy means of executing shellcode on target systems. Its undetectable nature enhances the effectiveness of offensive operations.

URL: charlotte on GitHub

8. InvisibilityCloak

Description: InvisibilityCloak is a proof-of-concept obfuscation toolkit tailored for post-exploitation C# tools. It performs obfuscation actions on C# Visual Studio projects, enhancing the ability to evade detection and analysis.

URL: InvisibilityCloak on GitHub

9. Dendrobate

Description: Dendrobate serves as a framework facilitating the development of payloads that hook unmanaged code through managed .NET code. Red teamers can leverage Dendrobate to create sophisticated payloads with enhanced capabilities.

URL: Dendrobate on GitHub

10. Offensive VBA and XLS Entanglement

Description: This repository provides red teamers with examples of how VBA can be utilized for offensive purposes beyond conventional droppers or shell injectors. As more use cases are developed, the repository evolves to stay ahead of defensive measures.

URL: Offensive VBA and XLS Entanglement on GitHub

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Nixie_Bytes Security Team
Nixie_Bytes Security Team

Written by Nixie_Bytes Security Team

Nixie_Bytes is an emerging hacking community enclosed for testing, proofing security & gaining knowledge on hacking skills for students and professionals alike.

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