tools

Overview

xfreerdp is a free and open-source RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) client for Linux. It allows testers and administrators to establish remote desktop connections to Windows machines directly from a Linux terminal, making it a standard tool for accessing Windows targets during internal network assessments.

Target / Context

Windows machines with RDP (port 3389) enabled during internal network penetration testing or lateral movement.

Installation

ℹ︎Installation Commands: 
apt install freerdp2-x11

Basic Usage

ℹ︎Basic Usage: 
xfreerdp /u:<username> /p:"<password>" /v:<IP>

Flags & Options

ℹ︎Flags & Options:
FlagDescriptionExample
/u:Username for authentication/u:john
/p:Password for authentication/p:“Password123”
/v:Target IP address or hostname/v:10.129.12.10
/d:Domain name/d:CORP
/port:Custom RDP port if not 3389/port:33890
/cert:ignoreIgnore certificate errors (common in pentest environments)/cert:ignore
/size:Set resolution of remote desktop window/size:1920x1080
/drive:,/pathMount a local drive in the remote session for file transfer/drive:share,/tmp
/dynamic-resolutionAllow window resize to adjust remote resolution/dynamic-resolution

Common Use Cases

Standard RDP Connection

Connect to a Windows target using known credentials.

ℹ︎Commands: 
xfreerdp /u:john /p:"Password123" /v:10.129.12.10 /cert:ignore

RDP with Domain Authentication

Connect specifying a domain — required for Active Directory domain accounts.

ℹ︎Commands: 
xfreerdp /u:john /d:CORP /p:"Password123" /v:10.129.12.10 /cert:ignore

RDP with Local Drive Mount

Mount a local directory into the remote session, enabling file transfer without SCP or SMB.

ℹ︎Commands: 
xfreerdp /u:john /p:"Password123" /v:10.129.12.10 /drive:share,/tmp /cert:ignore

References / Images