Deploy on Kali

Preparation Steps

Install necessary dependencies

  • Update the package list and configure apt to install the official MongoDB packages with the following repository file:

sudo apt-get -y update
sudo apt-get install -y dirmngr gnupg && sudo apt-key adv --keyserver hkp://keyserver.ubuntu.com:80 --recv 9DA31620334BD75D9DCB49F368818C72E52529D4
echo "deb http://repo.mongodb.org/apt/debian stretch/mongodb-org/4.0 main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/mongodb-org-4.0.list

When deploying MongoDB, it is crucial to secure MongoDB instances and close all MongoDB ports from public access. Unsecured instances can lead to significant security vulnerabilities. Your vigilance in these practices is essential for maintaining the integrity and safety of your systems.

  • Configure Node.js to be installed via the package manager.

Install the Node and MongoDB versions required for the Rocket.Chat release you intend to install.

sudo apt-get -y update && sudo apt-get install -y curl && curl -sL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_12.x | sudo bash -
  • Install build tools, MongoDB and dependencies (libcurl3 and MongoDB server), NodeJS, and graphicsmagick.

sudo apt-get install -y build-essential libcurl3 mongodb-org-server mongodb-org nodejs graphicsmagick
  • Using npm install inherits and n, and the node version required by Rocket.Chat.

sudo npm install -g inherits n && sudo n 12.18.4

Install Rocket.Chat on Kali

  • Download and extract the latest Rocket.Chat version with these commands:

curl -L https://releases.rocket.chat/latest/download -o /tmp/rocket.chat.tgz
tar -xzf /tmp/rocket.chat.tgz -C /tmp
  • Install NPM.

When executing npm install, it is recommended to operate using a non-root account. Alternatively, you can utilize the npm install --unsafe-perm command. This approach eliminates the necessity for building libc or upgrading the host system.

cd /tmp/bundle/programs/server && npm install

This guide uses /opt but feel free to choose a different directory.

sudo mv /tmp/bundle /opt/Rocket.Chat

Configure the Rocket.Chat service

  • Add the rocketchat user and set the right permissions on the Rocket.Chat folder.

sudo useradd -M rocketchat && sudo usermod -L rocketchat
sudo chown -R rocketchat:rocketchat /opt/Rocket.Chat
  • Create the Rocket.Chat service file.

cat << EOF |sudo tee -a /lib/systemd/system/rocketchat.service
[Unit]
Description=The Rocket.Chat server
After=network.target remote-fs.target nss-lookup.target nginx.service mongod.service
[Service]
ExecStart=/usr/local/bin/node /opt/Rocket.Chat/main.js
StandardOutput=syslog
StandardError=syslog
SyslogIdentifier=rocketchat
User=rocketchat
Environment=MONGO_URL=mongodb://localhost:27017/rocketchat?replicaSet=rs01 MONGO_OPLOG_URL=mongodb://localhost:27017/local?replicaSet=rs01 ROOT_URL=http://localhost:3000/ PORT=3000
[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target
EOF
  • Open the service file (/lib/systemd/system/rocketchat.service) using sudo and update the ROOT_URL environmental variable to reflect the URL you are using to access the server. Optionally, you can change MONGO_URL, MONGO_OPLOG_URL and PORT.

MONGO_URL=mongodb://localhost:27017/rocketchat?replicaSet=rs01
MONGO_OPLOG_URL=mongodb://localhost:27017/local?replicaSet=rs01
ROOT_URL=http://your-host-name.com-as-accessed-from-internet:3000
PORT=3000
  • Set up storage engine and replication for MongoDB.

sudo sed -i "s/^#  engine:/  engine: wiredTiger/"  /etc/mongod.conf
sudo sed -i "s/^#replication:/replication:\n  replSetName: rs01/" /etc/mongod.conf
  • Enable and start MongoDB with the following command

sudo systemctl enable mongod && sudo systemctl start mongod
  • Then, initiate replica set with this command:

mongo --eval "printjson(rs.initiate())"
  • Enable and start your Rocket.Chat workspace now using this command:

sudo systemctl enable rocketchat && sudo systemctl start rocketchat

Configure your Rocket.Chat server

To access your Rocket.Chat workspace, open a web browser and navigate to the specified ROOT URL (http://your-host-name.com-as-accessed-from-internet:3000). Follow the configuration prompts to configure your workspace.

Optional configurations

Last updated

Rocket.Chat versions receive support for six months after release.