CUPP in
Termux: A Complete Installation and Usage Guide
Introduction
CUPP (Common User Passwords Profiler) is an advanced tool
for ethical hackers, penetration testers, and security researchers to create
customized password lists using social engineering methods. By processing user
data like names, birthdates, interests, and favorite numbers, CUPP can produce
targeted wordlists that greatly enhance the effectiveness of password cracking.
What we will cover in this guide:
- What is CUPP?
- Why use CUPP on Termux?
- How to install CUPP on Termux
- Basic and Advanced Usage
- Ethical considerations and best practices
---
What is CUPP?
CUPP is an open-source tool based on Python that generates
customized password lists based on user-specified data. Rather than using
generic wordlists, CUPP uses the target's personal information to create
passwords, thus making successful penetration testing more probable.
Key Features of CUPP
- Creates personalized password lists
- Employs social engineering techniques
- Contains pre-defined common passwords
- Has dictionary-based attacks support
- Compliant with many cybersecurity tools such as John the
Ripper and Hydra
---
Why Use CUPP in Termux?
Termux is a feature-rich Android terminal emulator that
provides Linux utilities to mobile platforms. Running CUPP in Termux enables
ethical hackers to perform security audits and password analysis on the move
without the need for a complete desktop environment.
Benefits of Using CUPP in Termux
- Portability: No requirement of a separate laptop or
desktop
- Easy Installation: Directly runs on Android without
rooting
- Seamless Integration: Integrates with other pen testing
tools such as Hydra, John the Ripper, and Hashcat
- Open Source: Can be used and customized for free by
security testers
---
Installing CUPP on Termux
Step 1: Update Termux Packages
Update your Termux package repository before installing
CUPP:
pkg update && pkg
upgrade -y
Step 2: Install Required Dependencies
Make sure Git and Python are installed in Termux:
pkg install git python -y
Step 3: Clone the CUPP Repository
Clone the official CUPP repository from GitHub:
git clone
https://github.com/Mebus/cupp.git
Step 4: Change to the CUPP Directory
Switch the working directory to CUPP:
cd cupp
Step 5: Execute CUPP
CUPP is a Python script, so execute it with:
python cupp.py -h
This command shows the help menu and ensures that CUPP is
installed properly.
---
Using CUPP in Termux
Basic Usage
To create a password list interactively, execute:
python cupp.py -i
CUPP will ask you for different information regarding the
target, such as:
- Name
- Surname
- Nickname
- Birthdate
- Favorite numbers
- Favorite colors
- Partner or pet names
Example (Fast forwarded)
After you provide this data, CUPP will create a customized password list in a `.txt` file.
Creating a Wordlist Without User Interaction
If you have user data already, you can provide it as
arguments:
python cupp.py -w -p "Hydra
Termux 1987 football 1234" -o wordlist.txt
The above command will generate a wordlist named
`wordlist.txt` based on the given information.
Using Common Passwords with CUPP
To include a list of common passwords, use:
python cupp.py -i --common
This will include common passwords such as `123456`, `password`, `qwerty`, etc., in the
wordlist generated.
Merging Two Wordlists
If you already have a wordlist and wish to merge it with
a new one, use:
cat existing_wordlist.txt
generated_wordlist.txt > merged_wordlist.txt
Customizing CUPP for Advanced Usage
Advanced users can customize the script to include:
- Custom password formats
- Special character combinations
- Extra common password lists
For instance, customizing the `cupp.py`
script enables you to create passwords based on certain character sequences
that are often used by the target.
---
Integrating CUPP with Other Tools
CUPP-generated wordlists can be applied with penetration
tools like:
1. John the Ripper
Crack password hashes using the generated wordlist:
john
--wordlist=generated_wordlist.txt --format=raw-md5 hashfile.txt
2. Hydra
Test passwords for a remote SSH server:
hydra -L username.txt -P
generated_wordlist.txt ssh://192.168.1.1
3. Hashcat
GPU-accelerated password cracking:
hashcat -m 0 hash.txt
generated_wordlist.txt
---
Ethical Issues
Although CUPP is a strong tool, it has to be utilized
ethically. Ethical hackers and security professionals must follow the following
best practices:
1. Use Only with Permission
Test systems only where you have clear permission from the
owner.
2. Avoid Unauthorized Access
It is illegal and unethical to try to crack passwords
without permission.
3. Educate Users on Strong Passwords
Use CUPP to show users weak passwords and prompt them to use
stronger security.
4. Regularly Update Wordlists
Cyber threats change, so keep your password lists up to
date.
---
Conclusion
CUPP is a must-have utility for penetration testers, ethical
hackers, and security researchers. Through the operation of CUPP in Termux, the
user has at his or her disposal a handy, effective mechanism to create
purposeful password lists for security tests. Whether performed in an academic
environment or under commercial penetration testing, CUPP underscores the
necessity of strong password policy and social engineering security.
Following this guide, you can install and utilize CUPP
efficiently, combining it with robust security utilities such as John the
Ripper, Hydra, and Hashcat. Always make sure to utilize it responsibly and
ethically, adhering to cybersecurity best practices.