Sliver Tutorial: Features, Use Cases, How It Works

TL;DR, What is Sliver?

Sliver is a powerful, open-source command and control (C2) framework for adversary emulation, built for professional red teams.

If you’re looking for a strong Cobalt Strike alternative without high licensing fees, Sliver offers a great option. The cross-platform C2 framework delivers enterprise-grade features like secure communications and multi-operator support, removing the major cost barrier of commercial tools. You can use Sliver to run sophisticated simulations across Windows, Linux, and macOS platforms.

BishopFox developed and released Sliver as an actively supported open-source project, giving security testers worldwide access to advanced C2 capabilities.

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At-A-Glance

• GitHub: https://github.com/BishopFox/sliver

• License: GPL-3.0

• Primary Language: Go

• Stars: 10k ⭐

• Last Release: February 2025

• Topics/Tags: adversary-emulation, c2, red-team, cross-platform, multiplayer

Common use cases

1. Penetration Testing Engagements: Consultants use Sliver to establish persistent access and conduct post-exploitation in diverse client networks. The framework's cross-platform implants are ideal for environments with a mix of Windows, Linux, and macOS systems.

2. Adversary Emulation and Red Teaming: Red teams use Sliver to simulate sophisticated threat actors in realistic attack scenarios. The framework’s advanced communication channels and collaborative multiplayer mode help teams coordinate complex campaigns to test and improve an organization's detection and response capabilities.

3. Cybersecurity Training and Education: Sliver provides a no-cost, professional-grade platform for teaching offensive security concepts. Students and professionals can practice C2 operations, learn OPSEC techniques, and understand adversary tactics in controlled lab environments without requiring expensive commercial licenses.

4. Security Research and Development: Because the framework is open source, security researchers can use Sliver to develop and test new evasion techniques, create custom implants, and analyze C2 communication protocols to better understand and defend against modern adversary tradecraft.

5. Cost-Effective Cobalt Strike Alternative: For organizations looking for a professional-grade adversary emulation framework without high licensing fees, Sliver is a strong alternative. The framework provides many comparable features, including BOF support, flexible custom resource profiles, and a collaborative interface for security assessments.

How does Sliver work?

Sliver uses a client-server architecture. You use the Sliver client to connect to a central Sliver server, which then generates custom implants. You can deploy these payloads, embedded with unique configurations and certificates, on target systems. Once active, an implant establishes a secure, encrypted channel back to the server, letting you relay commands and receive output. The server manages all communication by routing commands to the correct implant and making sure all data is sent securely.

• Centralized Server: The Sliver server is the command hub that manages multiple operator connections, coordinates sessions, and maintains operational databases. The server acts as a central relay between operators and implants.

• Dynamic Implant Generation: Each implant is uniquely compiled with its own X.509 certificate and configuration, making it distinct. An operator initiates the process through the client, and the server handles the compilation.

• Secure C2 Channels: All communications are end-to-end encrypted. Implants connect back using protocols like mutual TLS (mTLS), WireGuard, HTTPS or DNS, using certificate pinning to ensure operational security.

• Flexible Operation: The architecture supports multiple simultaneous operators in multiplayer mode. You can also run implants in an interactive session mode for direct control or a stealthier beacon mode for periodic check-ins.

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Core Capabilities:

1. Dynamic Cross-Platform Implant Generation: Sliver generates custom implants for Windows, Linux, and macOS with unique, on-demand compilation signatures to evade static detection. Sliver supports multiple output formats like executables, shellcode, and shared libraries, embedding evasion techniques such as symbol obfuscation and anti-analysis features to ensure broad compatibility and operational security in diverse target environments.

2. Advanced C2 Communication Channels: The framework offers multiple covert communication protocols, including mTLS with certificate pinning, WireGuard, HTTPS, and DNS C2. The secure, encrypted channels allow operators to blend C2 traffic with legitimate network activity, significantly reducing the probability of detection by network security monitoring tools.

3. In-Memory Code Execution with BOFs/COFF: With support for Cobalt Strike–compatible Beacon Object Files (BOFs) and COFF, Sliver can execute post-exploitation modules directly within the implant's memory. Executing code this way avoids the creation of suspicious new processes (fork-and-run), bypassing common EDR detections and enabling stealthy execution of reconnaissance, credential harvesting, and system manipulation tasks.

4. Extensible Capabilities via the Armory: Sliver's integrated package manager, the Armory, allows you to easily install and manage third-party tools and extensions from a curated repository. The Armory streamlines the deployment of popular red team tools like Seatbelt, Rubeus, and SharpHound, extending the framework's native capabilities and simplifying toolchain management for complex engagements.

5. Collaborative Multiplayer Mode: A built-in multiplayer mode enables multiple operators to connect to a single C2 server instance simultaneously, facilitating real-time collaborative red team exercises. The system supports session handoffs, detailed audit logging, and granular access controls, allowing distributed teams to coordinate actions, share access to implants, and conduct effective training.

Limitations

1. Steep Learning Curve: The framework's extensive feature set, including multiple C2 protocols and advanced implant configurations, creates a steep learning curve for operators new to C2 frameworks.

2. Risk of Public Signatures: As a popular open-source tool, Sliver's default configurations are well-known to security vendors. The tool's popularity increases the risk of detection, forcing you to invest significant effort in customizing implants and infrastructure to evade modern security products.

3. Self-Hosted Infrastructure Overhead: Unlike managed C2 services, Sliver requires you to deploy, secure, and maintain your own server infrastructure. Setting up the server adds operational overhead related to server management, domain registration, and SSL/TLS certificate configuration, which can be complex.

4. Community-Based Support Model: Sliver’s support is primarily community-driven and lacks the dedicated, enterprise-level support and guaranteed response times offered by commercial vendors. A lack of official support can be a critical factor for professional client engagements.

5. Constant Evasion Maintenance: While Sliver has built-in evasion capabilities, the rapid evolution of defensive technologies means these capabilities can become outdated. You must continuously research and implement new techniques to maintain stealth, requiring an ongoing commitment to development and testing.

Getting Started:

Step 1: Download the latest release for your system from: https://github.com/BishopFox/sliver/releases.

Step 2: Launch Sliver by running:

sliver

Step 3: Visit https://sliver.sh/docs?name=Getting+Started to view setup and usage guides.

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