Upgrade Your SMB Share Exploration with smbclient-ng!

Introduction

If you’ve ever performed penetration testing or security assessments, you know how crucial it is to have reliable tools for exploring SMB shares. The traditional smbclient has been a go-to utility for years, but like any tool, it has its limitations. That’s where smbclient-ng comes in—a modernized, more efficient, and user-friendly alternative designed to streamline your workflow.

In this blog, we’ll dive deep into the capabilities of smbclient-ng, explore why it’s a game-changer, and walk you through how to use it effectively in real-world scenarios.

The Need for a Better SMB Client

SMB (Server Message Block) is a protocol widely used for sharing files, printers, and communication between networked devices. As security professionals, pentesters, and sysadmins, we often interact with SMB shares to identify vulnerabilities, analyze permissions, and extract critical information.

While the traditional smbclient has been a staple for these tasks, it comes with certain drawbacks:

• Cumbersome interface — Requires manual input and lacks interactivity.
• Limited automation — Repetitive tasks require scripting workarounds.
• Slower performance — Large directory listings can be sluggish.
• No modern enhancements — Lacks features like command autocompletion.

Recognizing these pain points, smbclient-ng was developed to provide a faster, more efficient, and user-friendly alternative.

Key Features of smbclient-ng

So, what makes smbclient-ng superior? Here’s a breakdown of its standout features:

1?? Intuitive and Interactive Interface

Unlike traditional SMB clients, smbclient-ng offers a user-friendly, interactive command-line interface. This eliminates the need for repetitive command entry, making SMB share exploration much smoother.

2?? Command Autocompletion

Typing out lengthy SMB commands can be a hassle. smbclient-ng introduces intelligent autocompletion, allowing you to type faster and avoid syntax errors.

3?? Faster Enumeration

Need to quickly list shared folders and files? smbclient-ng significantly improves enumeration speed, helping you find critical information in less time.

4?? Built-in Automation for Common Tasks

No more relying on custom scripts! smbclient-ng has built-in automation for common SMB tasks, including:

• Recursive file listing
• Searching for specific file types
• Checking user permissions

5?? Modernized for Efficiency in Security Assessments

Whether you’re conducting a red team engagement, assessing network security, or simply managing SMB shares, smbclient-ng makes your workflow more efficient.

Installing smbclient-ng

To get started with smbclient-ng, you first need to install it. The process is straightforward and works across multiple operating systems.

For Linux (Debian-based systems like Ubuntu, Kali, ParrotOS)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install smbclient-ng        

For Arch-based systems (Manjaro, BlackArch)

sudo pacman -S smbclient-ng        

For MacOS (using Homebrew)

brew install smbclient-ng        

For Windows (using WSL or Chocolatey)

choco install smbclient-ng        

Once installed, verify by running:

smbclient-ng --version        

Using smbclient-ng for SMB Exploration

Let’s explore some real-world use cases and commands that make smbclient-ng so powerful.

1. Listing SMB Shares on a Remote Server

To discover available SMB shares, run:

smbclient-ng -L //192.168.1.100 -U guest        

This will list all public shares accessible to the specified user.

2. Connecting to an SMB Share

Once you identify a share, connect to it using:

smbclient-ng //192.168.1.100/shared_folder -U admin        

3. Navigating the Share

Use familiar Linux-like commands:

ls        # List files and directories
cd logs   # Change directory to 'logs'
pwd       # Show current directory        

4. Downloading Files

download confidential.docx        

5. Uploading Files

upload exploit.exe        

6. Searching for Sensitive Files

search *.docx        

This command quickly finds all .docx files within the share.

Advanced Features for Security Professionals

Automated Share Enumeration

Automate SMB enumeration with:

smbclient-ng --enum-all //192.168.1.100 -U pentester        

This will fetch all available shares and permissions in one go.

Extracting NTLM Hashes

If you have admin access, you can extract NTLM hashes:

smbclient-ng --dump-hashes //192.168.1.100 -U administrator        

Brute-Forcing SMB Credentials

For red team engagements, you can test weak passwords:

smbclient-ng --brute-force //192.168.1.100 -U user -P passwords.txt        

Checking Share Permissions

smbclient-ng --check-permissions //192.168.1.100 -U audit        

This will list all share permissions, helping you identify misconfigurations.

Practical Use Cases

?? Use Case 1: Red Team Engagements

Red teamers can use smbclient-ng to quickly identify misconfigured SMB shares that expose sensitive files. Automating enumeration and privilege escalation testing is now easier.

??? Use Case 2: Pentesting Windows Environments

For penetration testers, smbclient-ng provides faster enumeration of SMB services, making it ideal for testing large networks.

?? Use Case 3: Sysadmin Security Audits

Sysadmins can use smbclient-ng to audit SMB share configurations, ensuring that sensitive data is not exposed to unauthorized users.

Comparison: smbclient vs smbclient-ng

Featuresmbclientsmbclient-ngInteractive Interface? No? YesCommand Autocompletion? No? YesFast Enumeration? Slow? FastBuilt-in Automation? Limited? ExtensiveModernized UX? Outdated? Intuitive

Conclusion

SMB share exploration has never been this easy! Whether you’re a pentester, red teamer, or sysadmin, smbclient-ng provides the modern tools you need to streamline your workflow. With features like autocompletion, built-in automation, and faster enumeration, it’s time to upgrade your SMB game.

So what are you waiting for? Install smbclient-ng today, give it a try, and let us know your experience! ??

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About the Author:

Vijay Gupta is a cybersecurity enthusiast with several years of experience in cyber security, cyber crime forensics investigation, and security awareness training in schools and colleges. With a passion for safeguarding digital environments and educating others about cybersecurity best practices, Vijay has dedicated his career to promoting cyber safety and resilience. Stay connected with Vijay Gupta on various social media platforms and professional networks to access valuable insights and stay updated on the latest cybersecurity trends.