Performing Red Team Phishing With Gophish

---
name: performing-red-team-phishing-with-gophish
description: Use when automating GoPhish phishing simulation campaigns using the Python
  gophish library. Creates email templates with tracking pixels, configures SMTP sending
  profiles, builds target groups from CSV, launches campaigns, and analyzes results
  including open rates, click rates, and credential submission statistics for security
  awareness assessment.
domain: cybersecurity
tags:
- performing
- red
- team
- phishing
subdomain: security-operations
version: '1.0'
author: oyi77
license: Apache-2.0
nist_csf:
- DE.CM-01
- RS.MA-01
- GV.OV-01
- DE.AE-02
category: cybersecurity
---

# Performing Red Team Phishing With Gophish

## Overview

Cybersecurity skill for performing red team phishing with gophish. Follows industry best practices and security standards.

## When to Use
**Trigger phrases:**
- "performing red team phishing with gophish"
- "Automate GoPhish phishing simulation campaigns using the Python gophish library"


- When conducting security assessments that involve performing red team phishing with gophish
- When following incident response procedures for related security events
- When performing scheduled security testing or auditing activities
- When validating security controls through hands-on testing


## When NOT to Use

- When you lack proper authorization for testing
- For production systems without change management
- When the task requires legal or compliance expertise beyond technical scope


## Prerequisites

- Familiarity with security operations concepts and tools
- Access to a test or lab environment for safe execution
- Python 3.8+ with required dependencies installed
- Appropriate authorization for any testing activities

## Workflow

```python
# Example: IOC detection
import re

IOC_PATTERNS = {
    "ip": r"\b(?:\d{1,3}\.){3}\d{1,3}\b",
    "domain": r"\b[a-z0-9-]+\.[a-z]{2,}\b",
    "hash_md5": r"\b[a-f0-9]{32}\b",
    "hash_sha256": r"\b[a-f0-9]{64}\b",
}

def extract_iocs(text: str) -> dict:
    return {k: re.findall(v, text) for k, v in IOC_PATTERNS.items()}
```

1. **Plan Operations** — Define objectives, scope, and success criteria for red team phishing operations.
2. **Prepare Environment** — Set up tools, access, and data sources required for red team phishing.
3. **Execute Core Workflow** — Use gophish to perform red team phishing operations following established procedures.
4. **Validate Results** — Verify that results meet quality standards and objectives.
5. **Report Findings** — Document results, observations, and recommendations.
6. **Follow Up** — Track remediation actions and verify fixes where applicable.

## Tools

- **gophish** — Primary tool for this skill
- **Analysis Platform** — Data processing and visualization
- **Collaboration Tools** — Team coordination and knowledge sharing


## Process

1. **Reconnaissance** — Gather target information, identify attack surface, enumerate services
1. **Analysis/Exploitation** — Execute the technique, analyze results, document findings
1. **Reporting** — Document IOCs, write findings, provide remediation recommendations

## Verification

- [ ] All red team phishing procedures executed completely and documented
- [ ] Findings validated against multiple data sources
- [ ] False positives identified and filtered
- [ ] Results documented with evidence and timestamps
- [ ] Recommendations provided with risk-based prioritization

## Anti-Rationalization Table

| Rationalization | Reality |
|---|---|
| "We are too small to be targeted" | Automated attacks target everyone. Size does not matter. |
| "Security slows us down" | A breach slows you down 100x more. Build security in from the start. |
| "We will fix it after launch" | Vulnerabilities in production are exploited within hours. Fix before deploy. |