Airgeddon represents a modern, multi-use bash script designed to assess and audit wireless networks. Built to assist penetration testers and ethical hackers, this framework incorporates various tools such as aircrack-ng, reaver, hashcat, hostapd, and more. As wireless security becomes increasingly critical due to growing threats, understanding tools like Airgeddon is essential for both defense and auditing.
Wireless networks are vulnerable to several types of attacks, and one of the most dangerous is the Evil Twin attack. This attack involves creating a fake access point (AP) that mimics a legitimate network to trick users into connecting. Airgeddon simplifies and automates this process, making it a powerful ally for professionals working in Wi-Fi security testing.
Fundamentals of Evil Twin Attacks
Evil Twin attacks involve cloning an access point’s SSID (network name) and creating a rogue wireless network. Users connect to this fake network, believing it to be genuine, which allows attackers to intercept sensitive information. The success of this strategy lies in its deception, where the user voluntarily submits their data.
Several layers of deception are used. The rogue access point broadcasts a signal stronger than the legitimate one, pushing devices to connect automatically. Once connected, users are usually served with a fake login page or redirected portal, where credentials such as email logins or network authentication details are harvested.
This method exploits human trust and default device behavior. It is commonly used in public places where people connect to open Wi-Fi networks. Cybersecurity researchers simulate such attacks in controlled environments to test how well networks resist them and to develop better countermeasures.
Core Functions of hostapd
Hostapd (Host Access Point Daemon) plays a central role in enabling rogue access points. This software allows a computer to function as a wireless access point by configuring its wireless adapter into AP mode. hostapd is versatile and highly customizable, which makes it ideal for network simulation and rogue AP deployment.
When integrated with Airgeddon, hostapd becomes an automated mechanism for mimicking wireless networks. Airgeddon dynamically writes a configuration file for hostapd based on the target SSID, channel, and other parameters. Then, it launches hostapd to broadcast the cloned SSID, essentially faking the presence of a trusted network.
This seamless integration eliminates the need for manual setup, allowing users to focus on capturing interactions from connected clients. hostapd also supports integration with dnsmasq and lighttpd, enabling DHCP and web redirection functionalities required for credential harvesting.
Workflow for Evil Twin Deployment
Airgeddon offers a highly automated Evil Twin attack module. After launching Airgeddon and selecting a network to target, users are guided through a menu to configure a fake access point. The tool scans for nearby SSIDs and allows the user to choose one to impersonate. Once selected, it begins preparing the attack environment.
The process involves generating a hostapd configuration, enabling a DHCP server through dnsmasq, setting up a phishing web portal with lighttpd, and optionally deauthenticating connected clients from the original network. This deauthentication forces victims to reconnect, usually to the stronger rogue signal.
Airgeddon automates each of these tasks and displays live feedback. Once a victim connects and attempts to authenticate via the fake portal, their credentials are logged in a file for later review. This process is made efficient by Airgeddon’s modular script design and compatibility with multiple Wi-Fi adapters.
Supporting the Phishing Infrastructure
To effectively collect credentials, Airgeddon integrates web server tools such as lighttpd or apache2, along with dnsmasq for DNS spoofing and DHCP assignment. These components are critical for simulating a realistic user experience once someone connects to the fake access point.
dnsmasq serves dual functions. First, it assigns IP addresses to connected clients, allowing them to establish a local network session. Second, it intercepts all DNS requests and redirects them to the attacker’s IP address, regardless of the destination. This ensures that victims are sent to the fake login portal.
The login portals, hosted by lighttpd, are preloaded templates or customizable HTML pages. These portals prompt users to input Wi-Fi passwords, email credentials, or enterprise logins. Airgeddon captures the input and stores it in a log file, optionally notifying the operator upon successful capture.
Factors Contributing to Credential Harvesting Success
Several reasons explain why Airgeddon’s Evil Twin method is effective in real-world scenarios. Firstly, the attack is passive in appearance, relying on user behavior rather than aggressive exploitation. Secondly, modern devices often prioritize stronger signal strength, increasing the likelihood of auto-connection to the rogue AP.
The realistic login portals are a major contributing factor. Users encountering a familiar-looking sign-in page are more likely to enter credentials, particularly if the network claims to require re-authentication due to “maintenance” or “security upgrades.” The wording on these portals is crafted to increase trust and urgency.
User Experience Enhancements through Automation
The automation level Airgeddon offers makes it accessible to a broader range of users. Rather than configuring hostapd, dnsmasq, and web servers manually, testers only need to follow on-screen prompts. Each module is linked, and the transitions between network scanning, rogue AP creation, and credential harvesting are streamlined.
Built-in error handling and configuration validation further improve usability. For example, Airgeddon checks whether the required dependencies (hostapd, dnsmasq, lighttpd) are installed and alerts the user if anything is missing. It also supports auto-installation of missing packages in many distributions.
Multiple attack modes are available, including static Evil Twin, Evil Twin with captive portal phishing, and Evil Twin with SSL stripping. This variety allows for different levels of complexity depending on the target environment and available permissions.
Real-World Scenarios Where Airgeddon is Most Effective
Several environments make Airgeddon especially useful. Open Wi-Fi zones in cafes, airports, and libraries are among the most vulnerable. In these places, users often connect to unsecured networks without verifying authenticity. Airgeddon can simulate these conditions to test network resilience and user behavior.
Corporate networks with weak endpoint protection are also targets during red-team assessments. Although enterprise environments often use WPA2-Enterprise with RADIUS authentication, improper certificate validation by users can lead to successful phishing through rogue enterprise portals.
Educational institutions are another common target for simulation. Many schools and universities use shared credentials or unsecured authentication mechanisms, providing penetration testers with an opportunity to demonstrate the risks of Evil Twin attacks.
Security Lessons for Network Defenders
Understanding how Airgeddon functions provides valuable insights for defenders. For one, network administrators should deploy Wireless Intrusion Detection Systems (WIDS) to monitor for unauthorized APs. These systems scan the airspace and alert admins to SSIDs broadcasting from unfamiliar MAC addresses.
Enforcing certificate validation for enterprise Wi-Fi helps prevent users from accepting rogue authentication prompts. Additionally, implementing Captive Portal Detection (CPD) within endpoint security software can help identify fake login pages.
Periodic user awareness training is another essential defense. Educating employees and students on how Evil Twin attacks work, and how to recognize unusual behavior in network connections, helps reduce the success rate of credential harvesting attempts.
Ethical Use and Legal Responsibility
While Airgeddon is a powerful tool, it must be used responsibly. Ethical hacking relies on consent and clearly defined scope. Testing someone’s network without permission is illegal in many jurisdictions and may lead to severe consequences.
Penetration testers should ensure they have written authorization before performing any kind of Evil Twin simulation. Reports should document the steps taken, including data collection techniques and remediation strategies.
Educational environments must also enforce strict controls when using Airgeddon. Simulations should occur in isolated labs to avoid accidental exposure to real users. Scripts must be reviewed, and portals customized to indicate clearly that the environment is for training.
Using Airgeddon within its ethical bounds not only complies with the law but also strengthens its value as a learning and auditing tool. When used properly, it reveals real vulnerabilities and prompts meaningful improvements in network defenses.
Conclusion
Airgeddon’s integration of Evil Twin attacks through hostapd marks it as one of the most comprehensive tools available for Wi-Fi security testing. By automating the process of access point cloning, client disconnection, captive portal deployment, and credential logging, it makes advanced tactics accessible to security professionals and learners alike.
Its use of supporting tools like dnsmasq and lighttpd enhances the attack realism, leading to higher success rates in simulations. For defenders, Airgeddon provides a blueprint for how attackers operate, helping inform better defense strategies. With ethical application, it becomes a powerful asset in the fight for secure wireless communications.
