Network pivoting refers to the technique where an attacker, after compromising an initial system within a network, uses that system as a foothold to access other systems or network segments that would otherwise be inaccessible. This process is also known as lateral movement. Pivoting allows attackers to “move sideways” within a network, escalating privileges, harvesting credentials, or exfiltrating sensitive data.

In ethical hacking, network pivoting is a simulated attack technique used to assess an organization’s internal security posture. It helps identify weak points in network segmentation, access controls, and monitoring. For a step-by-step overview of ethical hacking concepts and pivoting techniques, see the Ethical Hacking Guide 2025: Step‑By‑Step Basics.

In the context of penetration testing and red teaming, network pivoting is a vital step after initial access. Ethical hackers use pivoting to emulate real-world adversaries, testing how far an attacker could go if they breach the perimeter. This process uncovers hidden vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and trust relationships that could be exploited by malicious actors.

According to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, lateral movement is a key tactic used by advanced persistent threats (APTs) and is a significant concern for defenders.

• Foothold: The initial compromised system used as a base for further attacks.
• Lateral Movement: The process of moving from one system to another within a network.
• Pivot Host: The compromised machine used to relay traffic to other internal systems.
• Proxy: An intermediary that forwards traffic on behalf of another system.
• Trust Relationship: Pre-established permissions or connections that allow systems to communicate or authenticate with each other.
• Internal Reconnaissance: Gathering information about internal network assets post-compromise.

After gaining initial access, attackers seek to expand their reach by leveraging the compromised system as a pivot point. The typical steps include:

• Internal Reconnaissance: Mapping the internal network, identifying live hosts, open ports, and services.
• Credential Harvesting: Extracting credentials from memory, files, or network traffic.
• Exploiting Trust Relationships: Leveraging existing permissions or misconfigurations to access other systems.
• Establishing Persistence: Installing backdoors or scheduled tasks to maintain access.
• Data Exfiltration: Moving sensitive data out of the network, often via the pivot host.

Attackers use a variety of tools and techniques to achieve lateral movement, including remote desktop protocols, Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI), PsExec, and SSH tunneling.

The primary targets during network pivoting are systems with valuable data or elevated privileges, such as:

• Domain Controllers
• Database Servers
• File Servers
• Backup Servers
• Workstations of Key Personnel

Objectives may include privilege escalation, data theft, disruption of services, or establishing long-term persistence.

Network pivoting has been observed in numerous high-profile breaches. For example:

• NotPetya Attack (2017): Attackers used lateral movement techniques to rapidly spread ransomware across corporate networks worldwide. (CrowdStrike Analysis)
• SolarWinds Supply Chain Attack (2020): After compromising the SolarWinds Orion platform, attackers pivoted through internal networks to access sensitive systems in government and private organizations. (CISA Advisory) For more technical details on this breach, review the SolarWinds Hack 2020: Sunburst Supply-Chain Attack case study.
• Target Data Breach (2013): Attackers gained access via a third-party vendor, then pivoted internally to reach point-of-sale systems. (KrebsOnSecurity)

ProxyChains is a popular open-source tool that allows attackers and ethical hackers to route their network traffic through multiple proxies, effectively hiding the origin of the traffic and enabling access to internal resources through a compromised host.

proxychains nmap -sT -Pn 10.0.0.5

This command uses ProxyChains to scan an internal host via the compromised pivot.

For more details, see the Kali ProxyChains Documentation.

SSH tunneling (or SSH port forwarding) is a technique where an attacker creates an encrypted tunnel through a compromised host, allowing them to access internal services securely.

ssh -L 8080:internal.server:80 [email protected]

This command forwards local port 8080 to port 80 on an internal server via the pivot host.

SSH tunneling is widely used for both legitimate administrative purposes and by attackers for stealthy lateral movement. For more, refer to SSH.com Academy.

Meterpreter, part of the Metasploit Framework, is a powerful payload that provides advanced post-exploitation capabilities, including network pivoting. It enables attackers to create tunnels, route traffic, and interact with other internal systems seamlessly.

run autoroute -s 10.1.0.0/24

This Meterpreter command adds a route to a new subnet, allowing the attacker to pivot further into the network.

Other frameworks with pivoting capabilities include Cobalt Strike, Empire, and Impacket. For more, see Rapid7 Metasploit Documentation.

Attackers often exploit trust relationships between systems to move laterally. This may involve:

• Abusing Active Directory permissions and group memberships
• Leveraging shared credentials or password reuse
• Exploiting unrestricted remote access (e.g., RDP, SMB shares)
• Taking advantage of service accounts with excessive privileges

Understanding and auditing these relationships is crucial for both attackers and defenders. For best practices, consult the SANS Institute Whitepaper: Lateral Movement. You can also learn more about securing credentials and defending against credential-based attacks in the Credential Stuffing: Detect & Defend Quickly guide.

Modern security solutions employ various methods to detect lateral movement and network pivoting:

• Network Traffic Analysis: Monitoring for unusual connections or traffic patterns.
• Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR): Detecting suspicious processes or behaviors on endpoints.
• Log Correlation: Aggregating and analyzing logs from multiple sources for anomalies.
• Deception Technologies: Deploying honeypots or decoy systems to catch unauthorized access.

For more on detection strategies, see CrowdStrike: Lateral Movement Explained.

To evade detection, attackers and red teamers may employ the following techniques:

• Living off the Land (LotL): Using legitimate system tools (e.g., PowerShell, WMI) to blend in with normal activity.
• Encrypted Tunnels: Using SSH or VPNs to hide traffic from network monitoring tools.
• Traffic Obfuscation: Randomizing traffic patterns, using non-standard ports, or leveraging proxy chains.
• Credential Reuse: Using stolen credentials instead of malware to avoid triggering alerts.
• Time-Based Evasion: Conducting actions during off-hours to avoid detection by security teams.

Ethical hackers should always document and report stealth techniques used during assessments to help organizations improve their detection capabilities. For more on password attack methods that support stealthy lateral movement, see Password Attacks Toolkit: Hydra, Medusa, Ncrack.

While stealth techniques can be effective, they are not foolproof. Risks include:

• Triggering intrusion detection systems (IDS) or security information and event management (SIEM) alerts
• Leaving forensic artifacts on compromised hosts
• Potential legal and ethical violations if performed without proper authorization

It is essential for ethical hackers to operate within the scope of engagement and comply with all legal requirements.

To safely practice network pivoting, set up a controlled lab environment. Recommended tools and platforms include:

• VirtualBox or VMware for virtualization
• Kali Linux as the attacker machine
• Metasploitable or Windows Server as target hosts
• Internal network segments with restricted routing

Ensure your lab is isolated from production networks to prevent accidental exposure. To make your lab more realistic, consider using common hash extraction techniques from Windows systems for practice with credential attacks and lateral movement.

For lab setup guides, see OffSec: Setting Up the Lab.

1. Initial Compromise: Exploit a vulnerability on Host A (e.g., using Metasploit).
2. Establish Meterpreter Session: Gain a shell and maintain access on Host A.
3. Internal Reconnaissance: Use tools like arp, netstat, or nmap to discover Host B on a different subnet.
4. Set Up Pivot: In Meterpreter, run autoroute -s [target subnet] to route traffic through Host A.
5. Scan Internal Network: Use ProxyChains or Metasploit’s route command to scan and access Host B.
6. Exploit Host B: Launch further attacks, such as credential dumping or privilege escalation, on Host B.

This scenario demonstrates how an attacker can use a compromised host to access otherwise unreachable systems.

After completing the lab, analyze the following:

• Which network segments were accessible via pivoting?
• What detection mechanisms (if any) were triggered?
• How could network segmentation or monitoring have prevented the pivot?

Document all findings and provide actionable recommendations to improve network defenses.

The most effective defense against network pivoting is robust network segmentation. This involves dividing the network into isolated segments with strict access controls, minimizing the attack surface.

• Implement firewalls between network segments
• Use VLANs to separate sensitive systems
• Restrict lateral communication to only what is necessary
• Apply least privilege principles to user and service accounts

For best practices, refer to CIS Controls: Network Segmentation. Additionally, organizations should enforce a Password Policy Best Practices 2025 to minimize risks associated with credential reuse during lateral movement.

Deploy advanced monitoring solutions to detect and respond to lateral movement:

• Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS)
• Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) platforms
• Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) tools
• Network Traffic Analysis (NTA) solutions

Regularly review logs and alerts for signs of unusual activity. For guidance, see SANS Institute: Detecting Lateral Movement.

Develop and test incident response plans that address lateral movement scenarios:

• Establish clear escalation procedures
• Conduct tabletop exercises simulating network pivoting attacks
• Ensure rapid containment and remediation of compromised hosts
• Perform post-incident analysis to identify root causes and improve defenses

For more, see FIRST: CSIRT Best Practices.

All ethical hacking activities, including network pivoting, must be conducted with explicit written authorization. Unauthorized testing can result in legal consequences and damage to systems or data.

Follow established guidelines such as those from ISACA and OffSec.

If vulnerabilities or misconfigurations are discovered during testing, practice responsible disclosure by promptly reporting findings to the appropriate stakeholders. Provide clear, actionable remediation steps and maintain confidentiality.

For responsible disclosure frameworks, see CISA: Vulnerability Disclosure.

Network pivoting is a powerful technique used by both attackers and ethical hackers to navigate complex network environments. Understanding how lateral movement works, the tools and methods involved, and how to detect and defend against such activity is crucial for maintaining robust cybersecurity. By implementing strong segmentation, monitoring, and incident response practices, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of internal compromise.

Stay informed, practice ethical hacking responsibly, and continuously update your defenses to stay ahead of evolving threats.

• MITRE ATT&CK: Lateral Movement
• CrowdStrike: Lateral Movement Explained
• CISA: SolarWinds Supply Chain Compromise
• SANS Institute: Detecting Lateral Movement
• CIS Controls: Network Segmentation
• OffSec: Setting Up the Lab
• Kali Linux: ProxyChains
• Rapid7: Metasploit Pivoting
• SSH.com: SSH Tunneling
• ISACA: Ethical Hacking Legal and Ethical Considerations