Havoc — Modern Command and Control Framework for Red Teams

Introduction

Havoc is a modern command and control (C2) framework built for authorized red team engagements. It provides a team server for multi-operator collaboration, a cross-platform GUI client for managing implants, and a flexible agent called Demon with extensive post-exploitation capabilities. Havoc is designed to simulate real-world adversary behavior in approved security assessments.

What Havoc Does

• Manages implant communication through configurable listeners supporting HTTP, HTTPS, and SMB protocols
• Provides the Demon agent with in-memory execution, token manipulation, and lateral movement capabilities
• Supports multi-operator teamserver allowing red team members to collaborate on engagements simultaneously
• Generates payloads in multiple formats including shellcode, executable, DLL, and service executable
• Offers an extensible architecture for custom agents and third-party BOF (Beacon Object Files) execution

Architecture Overview

Havoc consists of three components: the teamserver (written in Go), the client (built with Qt/C++), and the Demon agent (written in C). The teamserver manages listeners, agent callbacks, operator sessions, and payload generation. Communication between agents and the teamserver uses configurable HTTP profiles with malleable request/response patterns. The client connects to the teamserver via a WebSocket API and provides a graphical interface for interaction, task queuing, and result viewing.

Self-Hosting & Configuration

• Build requires Go 1.18+, Qt 5, CMake, and standard C/C++ build tools
• Teamserver profiles use the Yaotl format to configure listener behavior, sleep intervals, and communication patterns
• Run the teamserver on a dedicated host with proper network segmentation during engagements
• The client runs on Linux and connects to the teamserver over an authenticated WebSocket channel
• Configure operator accounts and permissions in the teamserver profile file

Key Features

• Malleable communication profiles allow traffic to blend with legitimate web traffic patterns
• Demon agent supports sleep obfuscation techniques to evade memory scanners
• BOF (Beacon Object File) loader enables running compiled C modules in-process without dropping files
• Built-in SOCKS5 proxy pivoting through implants for network access during lateral movement
• Python and Go APIs for extending functionality with custom modules and automations

Comparison with Similar Tools

• Sliver — Go-based C2 with mutual TLS and WireGuard transports; Havoc offers a richer GUI and BOF support
• Cobalt Strike — the commercial standard with extensive community tooling; Havoc provides a free open-source alternative with modern architecture
• Mythic — a containerized C2 platform with multiple agent options; Havoc is simpler to deploy with a single compiled binary
• Metasploit — a broader exploitation framework; Havoc focuses specifically on post-exploitation C2 operations

FAQ

Q: Is Havoc free to use? A: Yes, Havoc is open source and free for authorized security testing, red team engagements, and educational purposes.

Q: Does Havoc support Windows, Linux, and macOS agents? A: The Demon agent primarily targets Windows. The framework architecture supports custom agents for other platforms through its extensibility API.

Q: Can Havoc execute Cobalt Strike BOFs? A: Yes, Havoc includes a BOF loader compatible with Cobalt Strike Beacon Object Files, allowing reuse of the extensive BOF ecosystem.

Q: What are the legal requirements for using Havoc? A: Havoc must only be used in authorized security engagements with explicit written permission. Unauthorized use against systems you do not own or have permission to test is illegal.

Sources

• https://github.com/HavocFramework/Havoc
• https://havocframework.com/