How to Enable Remote Desktop on Kali?

What you will read?

1 Installing Necessary Packages for Remote Desktop on Kali
2 Configuring Xrdp for Remote Desktop Access on Kali Linux
3 Setting Up a Firewall for Remote Desktop Connections
4 Testing Remote Desktop Connection to Kali

Kali Linux is usually the first choice among penetration testers and cybersecurity experts alike. But servers and virtual machines often lead to the access of Kali remotely which has become common nowadays. Once installed, that is on the installation of the Remote Desktop Client on Kali, a graphic interface will allow any device to access and manage the remote Kali system, thus performing tasks that are otherwise more complex in nature. This is useful more so for applications where a graphical interface is needed rather than working directly in the command line.

Additional approaches employing RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) or VNC (Virtual Network Computing) can be employed to activate Remote Desktop on Kali. RDP is said to be more preferable due to its simplicity, better branched networks and faster speeds while VNC is more suited for websites with many platforms and require more versatility on the setup.

As part of this guide, the focus will be on activating the Remote Desktop connection on Kali using the Xrdp application. This implies that you will be able to connect to your Kali Linux machine through the RDP protocol.

Installing Necessary Packages for Remote Desktop on Kali

To enable Remote Desktop on Kali Linux using Xrdp, you’ll first need to install the necessary packages. Xrdp is a free and open-source implementation of the RDP protocol that allows you to connect to your Kali Linux machine from a remote client.Here’s a step-by-step guide to installing the required packages for setting up Remote Desktop on Kali:

Update Your Kali Linux
Before installing any new packages, it’s a good idea to update your system to ensure that you have the latest security patches and package updates. Run the following command:
```
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
```
Install Xrdp
Next, install the Xrdp package, which provides the necessary RDP server. To do this, run the following command:
```
sudo apt install xrdp -y
```
Install a Desktop Environment (if not already installed)
Kali Linux typically doesn’t come with a desktop environment pre-installed in minimal setups. You’ll need to install a lightweight desktop environment like XFCE, which is known for its performance and minimal resource usage. Run the following command to install it:
```
sudo apt install kali-desktop-xfce -y
```
Install Additional Dependencies (if necessary)
In some cases, additional packages may be required to ensure proper functionality. You can install these dependencies by running the following command:
```
sudo apt install tigervnc-standalone-server tigervnc-viewer -y
```
Enable and Start the Xrdp Service
Once the packages are installed, you need to start and enable the Xrdp service to allow RDP connections. Use the following commands:
```
sudo systemctl enable xrdp
sudo systemctl start xrdp
```
Check the Status of Xrdp
To ensure that Xrdp is running correctly, check its status with the following command:
```
sudo systemctl status xrdp
```
You should see output indicating that the service is active and running.

After completing these steps, your Kali Linux system will be ready to accept Remote Desktop connections via RDP. You can now proceed to configure the firewall, connect to your Kali machine remotely, and make any necessary adjustments to the system.

Configuring Xrdp for Remote Desktop Access on Kali Linux

After installing Xrdp and the necessary desktop environment, the next step is to configure Xrdp to ensure smooth remote desktop access to your Kali Linux machine. This process involves setting up the RDP protocol, ensuring the system uses the appropriate desktop environment, and customizing settings to improve user experience.

Here’s how to configure Xrdp for remote desktop access:

Configure the Desktop Environment for Xrdp
By default, Xrdp may not automatically use the desktop environment you installed, like XFCE. To configure Xrdp to use XFCE (or another desktop environment), you need to edit the configuration file for Xrdp.
Open the startwm.sh file in the Xrdp directory:
```
sudo nano /etc/xrdp/startwm.sh
```
Find the line that looks like this:
```
. /etc/X11/Xsession
```
Below this line, add the following line to ensure XFCE is used:
startxfce4

Save the file and exit the editor (press CTRL + X, then Y, and Enter).
Configure Xrdp to Allow User Sessions
The next step is to ensure Xrdp allows user sessions to be properly initialized. You need to configure the session settings by modifying the Xrdp.ini configuration file.Open the Xrdp.ini file:
```
sudo nano /etc/xrdp/xrdp.ini
```
Scroll down to the [globals] section and find the following setting:
```
user-login=1
```
Ensure the setting is enabled. If not, modify it accordingly.
Restart Xrdp Service
After making these changes, restart the Xrdp service to apply the new configuration:
```
sudo systemctl restart xrdp
```
Allow Xrdp Through the Firewall
If you are using a firewall, you need to open port 3389 (the default port for RDP) to allow remote desktop connections.Run the following command to allow RDP through the firewall:
```
sudo ufw allow 3389/tcp
```
You can check the firewall status to ensure the rule has been added:
```
sudo ufw status
```
Test Remote Desktop Access
Now, you should be able to connect to your Kali Linux system remotely using an RDP client. From a Windows machine, use the built-in Remote Desktop Connection tool and enter the IP address of your Kali machine. From other operating systems, you can use clients like Remmina (Linux) or Microsoft Remote Desktop (macOS).Enter your Kali username and password, and you should be able to access your desktop remotely.

Setting Up a Firewall for Remote Desktop Connections

Setting up a firewall to allow remote desktop connections is an essential step in securing access to your Kali Linux system. By default, most Linux distributions, including Kali, have a firewall enabled, which blocks certain ports to protect the system from unauthorized access. To enable remote desktop connections through the firewall, you’ll need to open the port used by the Xrdp service (port 3389).

Here’s how to configure the firewall to allow remote desktop access:

Check the Status of the Firewall
Before configuring the firewall, it’s essential to verify if it is enabled on your system. Use the following command to check the status of UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall):
```
sudo ufw status
```
If the firewall is inactive, you can activate it with the following command:
```
sudo ufw enable
```
Allow RDP (Port 3389) Through the Firewall
The default port for Xrdp is 3389, so you need to allow this port through the firewall. To do so, use the following command:
```
sudo ufw allow 3389/tcp
```
Verify Firewall Rules
After allowing port 3389, verify the firewall rules to ensure that the change has been applied. Use the following command to check the active rules:
```
sudo ufw status
```
You should see an entry like:
```
3389                       ALLOW       Anywhere
```
Allow All Connections on Specific Interface (Optional)
If you want to restrict access to RDP to specific interfaces (e.g., a specific network or IP), you can specify the interface or IP address in the firewall rule. For example, to allow RDP only from a specific IP address, use:
sudo ufw allow from <IP_ADDRESS> to any port 3389
Disable the Firewall (Optional)
If you want to temporarily disable the firewall for troubleshooting purposes, you can use the following command:
```
sudo ufw disable
```
However, disabling the firewall is not recommended for long-term use, as it leaves the system vulnerable to unauthorized access.
Test Remote Desktop Connection
Once the firewall is properly configured, try connecting to your Kali Linux system using an RDP client. Open the Remote Desktop application on your local machine (Windows or any other OS), enter the IP address of your Kali machine, and try logging in.

Testing Remote Desktop Connection to Kali

Once you have installed and configured Xrdp and set up your firewall to allow RDP connections, it’s time to test the connection to ensure everything is working correctly. Testing your remote desktop connection involves connecting from a remote device using an RDP client to verify that the Kali Linux system is accessible and the graphical interface is functional.

Here are the steps to test the remote desktop connection to your Kali Linux system:

Find the IP Address of Your Kali Machine
To connect to your Kali Linux machine remotely, you need to know its IP address. Run the following command on your Kali machine to find the IP address:
```
ip a
```
Look for the IP address associated with your network interface (usually under eth0 for Ethernet or wlan0 for Wi-Fi).
Connect Using an RDP Client
From a Windows machine, you can use the built-in Remote Desktop Connection tool. For other operating systems, such as Linux or macOS, you can use clients like Remmina (Linux) or Microsoft Remote Desktop (macOS).
- On Windows:
  Open the Remote Desktop Connection tool by searching for “Remote Desktop Connection” in the Start menu. In the Computer field, enter the IP address of your Kali Linux machine (e.g., 192.168.1.10), then click Connect.
- On Linux:
  Open the Remmina application (install it if you don’t have it) and enter the IP address of your Kali machine in the Remote Address field. Select RDP as the protocol and click Connect.
- On macOS:
  Open the Microsoft Remote Desktop app, enter the IP address of your Kali machine, and click Connect.
Enter Your Kali Linux Credentials
Once the RDP client tries to connect, you will be prompted to enter the username and password for your Kali Linux machine. Use the same credentials you would use to log in locally.
Verify the Remote Desktop Session
After entering your credentials, you should see the desktop environment (XFCE or whichever desktop environment you have set up) of your Kali Linux machine on your remote device. If you successfully connect, you can interact with your Kali system using the graphical interface, just as you would locally.
Troubleshoot Connection Issues (if any)
If you encounter issues during the connection attempt, here are a few things to check:
- Ensure that Xrdp is running (sudo systemctl status xrdp).
- Make sure the firewall is correctly configured and port 3389 is open.
- Verify that the correct desktop environment is configured for Xrdp (e.g., XFCE).
- Check the IP address to ensure it’s correct and reachable from the remote device.

Setting up remote desktop access to Kali Linux using Xrdp provides a seamless way to manage and interact with your system from anywhere. By ensuring proper installation and configuration of Xrdp, adjusting firewall settings, and testing the connection, you can enjoy a smooth and secure remote desktop experience. With the right tools and configurations, you can troubleshoot and optimize your setup to suit your needs.

Make sure to monitor and manage your remote desktop environment to ensure the security and efficiency of your Kali Linux system. Remote desktop access offers flexibility and control over your system without the need for physical presence, making it an invaluable tool for administrators and users alike.

How to Enable Remote Desktop on Kali?

Table of Contents

Installing Necessary Packages for Remote Desktop on Kali

Configuring Xrdp for Remote Desktop Access on Kali Linux

Setting Up a Firewall for Remote Desktop Connections

Testing Remote Desktop Connection to Kali

Related Posts