CompTIA PenTest+ Practice Test

What is the name of the framework designed for post-exploitation assessment of AWS accounts?

1. Pacu

2. Empire

3. Metasploit

4. Veil

The correct answer is: Pacu

Pacu is specifically designed for post-exploitation assessments of AWS accounts, making it the right choice for this question. This framework allows penetration testers and security researchers to exploit vulnerabilities within AWS environments after gaining access. It provides modules that can automate the process of enumerating resources, identifying misconfigurations, and executing actions that could lead to further compromise, such as privilege escalation or data exfiltration within AWS. In contrast, Empire, Metasploit, and Veil are general-purpose exploitation frameworks that cater to various platforms and technologies but do not focus specifically on AWS. Empire is primarily known for its capabilities in Windows environments and post-exploitation via PowerShell. Metasploit is a well-known penetration testing framework that supports a wide range of exploits and payloads across different systems, while Veil is more focused on evading detection by security tools, particularly in regards to payload generation. These frameworks can be valuable in their own contexts, but they do not have the dedicated AWS-focused post-exploitation capabilities that Pacu offers.