Kali-Linux on Chromebook / Crostini (LXC/LXD linux container)

Intro

let me first state that this is not the normal intended use of containers.

In the normal use case containers are supposed to be ephemeral.

However, in this specific use case I want to use it as a light-weight virtual machine, and therefore I do want to keep it's state at all times. 

---

Objective: 

1. Running a Kali-Linux docker-container inside the Crostini LXC/LXD- Debian-container on a Chromebook. 
2. Keeping an up-to-date Kali-Linux image with any updates, pen-test-data, and changes made inside the active kali-Linux container so it is easy to create new and/or transport containers with all the latest changes and data. (back-up image with the current state of the current container)

Assumptions:

The Linux-container is active on your Chromebook

 

Setup Docker:

1. Update your Debian LXC/LXD container:
   
   sudo apt update && upgrade -y
   
   
2. Install dependencies:
   
   sudo apt install -y \
   apt-transport-https ca-certificates \
   curl gnupg2 software-properties-common
   
   
3. Import gpg-key:
   
   curl -fsSL https://download.docker.com/linux/debian/gpg | sudo apt-key add -
   
   (note: don't forget the "-" at the end of the line!)
   
   
4. Add the docker repo to the source list:
   
   sudo add-apt-repository \
   "deb [arch=amd64] https://download.docker.com/linux/debian \
   $(lsb_release -cs) stable"
   
   
5. Update the new resources:
   
   sudo apt update
   
   
6. Install the docker engine (community edition):
   
   sudo apt install -y docker-ce docker-ce-cli containerd.io
   
   
   

OpenVPN on Chromebooks with ovpn-file

Although the network settings in chrome-O/S allow for VPN settings, it seems cumbersome to get a simple ovpn-file of a private VPN server to work on Chromebooks.

Somewhere on the net, I've found bits and bytes on this matter and found this way to work the best for my needs.

Let's say you have a VPN server set up somewhere on a VPS. In my case, it is running as a docker container on a droplet with Digital Ocean. On there I've created an ovpn-file named "laptop.ovpn". but it can be named any way you like of course.

How to connect to the VPN on a Chromebook?

1. open a shell screen (CTRL + ALT + T) to open Crosh terminal,
   and then type shell (+enter) to access a shell
2. at the prompt type: sudo stop shill  (+enter)
3. then:  sudo start shill BLACKLISTED_DEVICES=tun0 (+enter)
4. load ovpn file: sudo openvpn /path/to/ovpn-file/laptop.ovpn (+enter)

At this point, your network connection should be routed through your Private VPN server. 

Unknown username "whoopsie" in message bus configuration file (Crouton)

For some time I had this notification "Unknown username 'whoopsie' in message bus configuration file" coming up when I started my Ubuntu-server on my Chromebook via crouton. It seemed not to do anything wrong but hey, I hate to see error messages popping up on the screen and not knowing what it really means.

In my search I've learned that the user 'whoopsie'  is being used for the error reporting daemon in Ubuntu.

System Description:

Toshiba Chromebook 2:

Intel® Celeron® Processor N2840

Intel® HD Graphics

4GB DDR3 1600MHz 

16GB solid state flash memory (eMMC)

13.3" widescreen FHD TruBrite® LED Backlit Display (1920x1080)

Stereo speakers tuned by Skullcandy

Dual array microphone,HD webcam

Intel® Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260 Plus Bluetooth 4.0

Lithium Polymer (44Wh, 3-Cell) up to 9hrs

HDMI® output port

1-USB (2.0) port,1-USB (3.0) port

SD Card Reader + SanDisk Extreme Pro 64GB (95Mb/sec)

Skype 4.3 on Chromebook & Crouton-Ubuntu 14.04

To install Skype on your chrome book & crouton - Ubuntu 14.04 LTS, you need to make sure you have added the i386 architecture, (yes I know, a shame Skype hasn't been updated to 64 bit Linux systems) and also enabled the canonical partner repositories in your settings. 

Or to make it simple, type the following command-line instructions in a terminal session. 
(CTRL + ALT + T to start a terminal session)

sudo dpkg –add-architecture i386
sudo apt-get update
sudo add-apt-repository “deb http://archive.canonical.com/ $(lsb_release -sc) partner”
sudo apt-get update 
sudo apt-get install skype 


Enjoy skype with crouton/Ubuntu on your Chrome book. 




Tested on Toshiba Chromebook 2 | Development mode, and Crouton/Ubuntu 14.04.03 LTS.