The Top Eight Kali Linux Tools

Here are the best eight penetration tools to get you through 2024. Notice that they
cover a diverse range of techniques and attacks.

1. Fluxion
Wi-Fi is growing more popular each year, making it a more attractive target of
opportunity for hackers. That's why pen testers must have the capacity to test Wi-
Fi networks for security leaks.

Fluxion is a Wi-Fi analyzer specializing in MITM WPA attacks and lets you scan
wireless networks. Pen testers use Fluxion to search for security flaws in
corporate and personal networks. However, unlike similar Wi-Fi cracking tools,
Fluxion does not launch time-consuming brute force cracking attempts.

Instead, Fluxion creates an MDK3 process that forces all users on the targeted
network to lose authentication or deauthenticate. Once this is accomplished, the
user is prompted to connect to a false access point, requiring entering the Wi-Fi
password. Then, the program reports the password to the pen tester to gain access.

2. John the Ripper

John the Ripper gets points for a creative name. This hacker’s resource is a multi-
platform cryptography testing tool that works equally well on Linux, Windows,
macOS, and Unix. It enables system administrators and security penetration testers
to test the strength of any system password by launching brute force attacks.
Additionally, John the Ripper can be used to test encryptions like DES, SHA-1, and
many others.

Its ability to change password decryption methods is set automatically and

contingent on the detected algorithms.

John the Ripper is a free tool, licensed and distributed under the GPL license, and
ideal for anyone who wants to test their organization’s password security.

John the Ripper’s chief advantages include:

Brute force testing and dictionary attacks

Compatibility with most operating systems and CPU architectures
Running automatically by using crons
Allowing Pause and Resume options for any scan
It lets hackers define custom letters while building dictionary attack lists
It allows brute force customization rules
3. Lynis
Lynis is most likely one of the most comprehensive tools available for
cybersecurity compliance (e.g., PCI, HIPAA, SOx), system auditing, system
hardening, and testing. In addition, thanks to its numerous capabilities, Lynis
also functions as an effective platform for vulnerability scanning and penetration
testing.

This Kali Linux tool’s main features include:

Open source and free, with commercial support available.

Simple installation from the Github repository.
It runs on multiple platforms (BSD, macOS, Linux, BSD, AIX, and more).
It can run up to 300 security tests on the remote host.
Its output report is shared on-screen and features suggestions, warnings, and any
critical security issues found on the machine.
4. Metasploit Framework
Remote computing is on the rise thanks to more people working from home. Metasploit
Framework, or MSF for short, is a Ruby-based platform used by ethical hackers to
develop, test, and execute exploits against remote hosts. Metasploit includes a
complete collection of security tools intended for penetration testing, plus a
powerful terminal-based console known as msfconsole, which lets you find targets,
exploit security flaws, launch scans, and collect all relevant available data.

Available for Windows and Linux, MSF is most likely one of the most potent security
auditing Kali Linux tools freely available for cybersecurity professionals.

Metasploit Framework’s features include:

Network enumeration and discovery

Evading detection on remote hosts
Exploiting development and execution
Scanning remote targets
Exploiting vulnerabilities and collecting valuable data
5. Nikto
Nikto enables ethical hackers and pen testers to conduct a complete web server scan
to discover security vulnerabilities and related flaws. This scan collects results
by detecting default file names, insecure file and app patterns, outdated server
software, and server and software misconfigurations.

Written in Perl, Nikto complements OpenVAS and other vulnerability scanners. In

addition, it features support for host-based authentication, proxies, SSL
encryption, and more.

Nikto’s primary features include:

Scanning multiple ports on a server.

Providing IDS evasion techniques.
Outputting results into TXT, XML, HTML, NBE or CSV.
Apache and cgiwrap username enumeration.
Identifying installed software via headers, files, and favicons.
Scanning specified CGI directories.
Using custom configuration files.
6. Nmap
Nmap is the most well-known network mapper tool in IT circles. It lets you discover
active hosts within any network and gain additional information related to
penetration testing, such as existing open ports.

Nmap main features include:

Host discovery, which identifies hosts in any network

Port scanning lets you enumerate open ports on either a local or remote host
OS detection helps gather operating system and hardware info about any connected
device
App version detection lets you determine the application name and version numbers
Scriptable interaction extends the Nmap default capabilities by using the Nmap
Scripting Engine (or NSE)
7. Skipfish
Skipfish is a Kali Linux tool like WPScan, but instead of only focusing on
WordPress, Skipfish scans many web applications. Skipfish acts as an effective
auditing tool for crawling web-based data, giving pen testers a quick insight into
how insecure any app is.

Skipfish performs recursive crawl and dictionary-based tests over all URLs, using
its recon capabilities. The crawl creates a digital map of security checks and
their results.

Noteworthy Skipfish features include:

Automated learning capabilities.
Differential security checks.
Easy to use.
A low false positive ratio.
The ability to run high-speed security checks, with over 200 requests per second.
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8. Social Engineering Toolkit
If you are ever interested in hacking social network accounts, we have just the
tool for you! The Social Engineering Toolkit, also known as SET, is an open-source
Python-based penetration testing framework that helps you quickly and easily launch
social-engineering attacks. It runs on Linux and Mac OS X.

SET is an indispensable Kali Linux tool for hackers and pen testers interested in
working with social engineering.

Here are the kinds of attacks you can launch with the Social Engineering Toolkit:

Wi-Fi AP-based attacks, which redirect or intercept packets from Wi-Fi network
users
SMS and email attacks, here, which attempt to trick and generate fake emails to
harvest social credentials
Web-based attacks, which lets hackers clone a web page to drive real users by DNS
spoofing and phishing attacks
Creation of payloads (.exe), which creates a malicious .exe file that, once
executed, compromises the system of any user who clicks on it
9. Burp Suite
Burp Suite, created by PortSwigger, stands as a robust tool for testing the
security of web applications. Security experts and penetration testers extensively
employ it to identify vulnerabilities within web applications. Burp Suite provides
comprehensive features, including a web proxy, scanner, intruder, repeater,
sequencer, and more. The tool allows users to intercept and modify HTTP/S traffic,
discover and exploit security issues such as cross-site scripting (XSS) and SQL
injection, and automate the testing process. With its user-friendly interface and
robust capabilities, Burp Suite is essential for securing web applications.

The main features of the Burp Suite include:

Proxy: Burp Suite acts as a proxy between the user's browser and the target web
application, allowing for the interception and manipulation of HTTP/S traffic.
Scanner: The tool includes an automated scanner that identifies and reports
security vulnerabilities such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and other
common web application flaws.
Intruder: Burp Suite's Intruder module facilitates automated attacks on web
applications, making it easier to identify vulnerabilities through parameter
manipulation and payload testing.
Repeater: Security professionals can manually repeat and modify HTTP requests
through the Repeater module, aiding in the detailed analysis and exploitation of
identified vulnerabilities.
Sequencer: Burp Suite's Sequencer assesses the randomness and quality of session
tokens and other data, helping to identify weak cryptographic implementations and
potential security risks.
10. Metasploit Framework
The Metasploit Framework is an open-source penetration testing tool that enables
security professionals to discover, exploit, and validate system vulnerabilities.
Developed by Rapid7, Metasploit has an extensive database of exploits, payloads,
and auxiliary modules, making it a versatile offensive and defensive security tool.
It supports various platforms and allows users to simulate real-world cyber
attacks, helping organizations assess their security posture and remediate
vulnerabilities effectively.

The primary features of Metasploit Framework include:

Exploit Database: Metasploit provides an extensive database of exploits, allowing

security professionals to leverage known vulnerabilities to test and secure
systems.
Payloads: The framework supports a variety of payloads, enabling users to deliver
malicious code or take control of compromised systems during penetration tests.
Auxiliary Modules: Metasploit includes auxiliary modules for tasks such as
scanning, information gathering, and brute-force attacks, enhancing its
versatility.
Post-Exploitation Modules: Security professionals can perform various actions on
compromised systems, such as privilege escalation, data exfiltration, and lateral
movement, using post-exploitation modules.
Meterpreter: Metasploit's Meterpreter payload provides an interactive shell on
compromised systems, facilitating post-exploitation activities with a wide range of
features.
11. Wireshark
Wireshark is a widely used network protocol analyzer that allows users to capture
and inspect the data flowing over a computer network in real-time. This open-source
tool provides a detailed view of network traffic, helping security professionals
troubleshoot network issues, analyze protocol behavior, and identify potential
security threats. Wireshark supports various protocols and offers powerful
filtering and analysis capabilities, making it an essential tool for network
administrators, security analysts, and penetration testers.

The main features of Wireshark include:

Packet Capture: Wireshark allows users to capture and analyze packets in real-time
or from saved capture files, providing a detailed view of network traffic.
Protocol Support: The tool supports many network protocols, enabling in-depth
analysis and troubleshooting of diverse networking scenarios.
Display Filters: Wireshark offers powerful display filters to focus on specific
packets or types of traffic, making it easier to identify and analyze relevant
information.
Statistics and Graphs: Users can generate statistical summaries and graphical
representations of network traffic patterns, aiding in identifying anomalies and
potential security threats.
Extensibility: Wireshark supports the addition of custom dissectors and plugins,
allowing users to extend its functionality for specific protocols or analysis
needs.
12. Hydra
Hydra is a popular and versatile password-cracking tool supporting various
protocols and services, including SSH, HTTP, and FTP. Developed to perform brute-
force attacks, Hydra allows security professionals to test the strength of
passwords and identify weak authentication mechanisms. Its flexibility and
extensive protocol support make it an effective tool for penetration testing and
ethical hacking.

The primary features of Hydra include:

Multi-Protocol Support: Hydra supports many network protocols, including SSH, HTTP,
FTP, Telnet, and more, making it a versatile password-cracking tool.
Brute-Force and Dictionary Attacks: The tool can perform brute-force attacks,
trying all possible combinations, and dictionary attacks, using predefined
wordlists for password guessing.
Parallel Attacks: Hydra can conduct parallel attacks on multiple services,
enhancing its efficiency in password-cracking scenarios.
Session Resumption: Users can pause and resume attacks without losing progress,
providing flexibility in handling long-running or interrupted password-cracking
tasks.
Logging and Reporting: Hydra logs detailed information about the performed attacks,
allowing users to review results, identify successful login credentials, and assess
overall security.
13. SqlMap
Sqlmap is an open-source penetration testing tool specifically designed for
detecting and exploiting SQL injection vulnerabilities in web applications. This
powerful tool automates the process of identifying and exploiting SQL injection
flaws, providing security professionals with an efficient way to assess the
security of databases. Sqlmap supports many database management systems and is
known for its accuracy and reliability in discovering SQL injection issues.

The main features of Sqlmap include:

Automatic SQL Injection Detection: Sqlmap automates detecting SQL injection

vulnerabilities in web applications by analyzing parameters and forms.
Exploitation and Takeover: Once a vulnerability is identified, Sqlmap can exploit
it to retrieve database information, dump tables, or execute arbitrary SQL queries.
Wide Database Support: The tool supports various database management systems,
including MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, and Microsoft SQL Server, making it versatile
for different environments.
Detection of WAF Bypass Techniques: Sqlmap includes features to detect and attempt
to bypass Web Application Firewalls (WAFs), enhancing its effectiveness in evading
security mechanisms.
Post-Exploitation Actions: Sqlmap allows users to perform post-exploitation
actions, such as creating a reverse shell or executing custom SQL queries on the
compromised database.
14. WPScan
WPScan is a WordPress vulnerability scanner that helps security professionals
identify and remediate security issues in WordPress websites. This open-source tool
is designed to enumerate WordPress installations, plugins, and themes, checking for
known vulnerabilities and misconfigurations. WPScan is widely used for penetration
testing and security assessments of WordPress-based websites, providing valuable
insights to enhance the overall security of these platforms.

The main features of WPScan include:

Vulnerability Scanning: WPScan specializes in scanning WordPress websites for

vulnerabilities, including outdated plugins, themes, and misconfigurations.
Username Enumeration: The tool can enumerate WordPress usernames, aiding in
potential brute-force attacks by identifying valid usernames.
Plugin and Theme Detection: WPScan identifies installed plugins and themes,
providing insights into potential security risks associated with specific WordPress
extensions.
Password brute-force: The tool can perform password brute-force attacks against
WordPress login pages, testing the strength of user credentials.
REST API Enumeration: WPScan can enumerate and analyze the WordPress REST API,
helping identify potential security issues and vulnerabilities.
15. Autopsy
Autopsy is a digital forensics platform that simplifies analyzing and investigating
digital evidence. Basis Technology developed Autopsy, an open-source tool with a
user-friendly interface for examining disk images, file systems, and other digital
artifacts. It is widely used by law enforcement agencies, digital forensic
examiners, and incident responders to uncover evidence in computer systems, aiding
in investigating cybercrimes and other digital incidents.

The main features of an Autopsy include the:

User-Friendly Interface: Autopsy provides a user-friendly graphical interface for

digital forensics investigations, making it accessible to novice and experienced
investigators.
Artifact Analysis: The tool supports in-depth analysis of artifacts, including file
system metadata, deleted files, and user activity logs, aiding in reconstructing
digital incidents.
Keyword Search and Indexing: Autopsy allows investigators to perform keyword
searches across forensic images, enhancing the ability to locate relevant evidence
quickly.
Timeline Analysis: The timeline feature helps create a chronological representation
of system activity, assisting investigators in understanding the sequence of events
during an incident.
Support for Multiple File Systems: Autopsy can analyze various file systems,
including NTFS, FAT, and EXT, making it versatile for investigations involving
different operating systems.
16. BeEf (Browser Exploitation Framework)
BeEF is an open-source security tool designed for assessing the security of web
browsers. Developed by a group of security researchers, BeEF allows penetration
testers to demonstrate the impact of browser vulnerabilities by exploiting client-
side attacks. The framework provides a user-friendly interface and a set of modules
that enable security professionals to assess and improve the security posture of
web applications and browsers.

The main features of BeEf include:

Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) Exploitation: BeEF specializes in exploiting XSS

vulnerabilities, allowing penetration testers to demonstrate the impact of client-
side attacks.
Modular Framework: BeEF is designed with a modular architecture, enabling users to
extend its functionality through custom modules for different types of browser
exploitation.
Real-Time Interaction: The framework provides real-time interaction with
compromised browsers, allowing testers to dynamically execute commands and gather
information.
Client-Side Attacks: BeEF facilitates various client-side attacks, including
keylogging, phishing, and browser-based surveys, providing a comprehensive toolkit
for security professionals.
Integration with Metasploit: BeEF can be integrated with the Metasploit Framework,
enhancing its capabilities by combining client-side and server-side exploitation
techniques.
17. Maltego
Maltego is a powerful open-source intelligence (OSINT) tool that aids in the
collection and visualization of information about entities and their relationships.
Developed by Paterva, Maltego is widely used for surveillance and data mining
during penetration testing and investigations. It allows users to create graphs
representing the connections between various entities, helping security
professionals analyze and understand complex relationships in cybersecurity and
threat intelligence.

The primary features of Maltego include:

Graphical Link Analysis: Maltego offers a graphical interface for link analysis,
allowing users to visually map relationships between entities and uncover patterns
in complex datasets.
Extensive Transform Libraries: The tool supports a wide range of transforms—
predefined queries or actions—enabling users to retrieve information from diverse
data sources on the internet.
Customizable Entities: Maltego allows users to define and customize entities,
adapting the tool to specific investigation or intelligence-gathering requirements.
Collaboration Capabilities: Maltego facilitates collaboration among users by
enabling the sharing of graphs and investigation results, enhancing teamwork in
intelligence and cybersecurity operations.
Integration with External APIs: The tool can integrate with external APIs,
expanding its capabilities to gather information from online sources and enrich the
analysis.
18. Apktool
Apktool is an open-source utility designed for reverse engineering Android
applications. This tool allows security professionals and developers to decompile
and analyze Android application packages (APKs), providing insights into the app's
structure, resources, and potential vulnerabilities. Apktool is commonly used for
penetration testing, security assessments, and debugging Android applications,
contributing to the overall security of the Android ecosystem.

The main features of Apktool include:

Decompilation of APKs: Apktool allows users to decompile Android application

packages (APKs) into their corresponding source code, aiding in-app behavior
analysis.
Resource Extraction: The tool extracts and decodes resources, assets, and manifest
files from APKs, providing insights into an application's structure and
functionality.
Smali Code Viewing: Apktool allows users to view and analyze the Smali code, the
assembly-like code that represents the Android application's bytecode.
Rebuilding APKs: Apktool supports rebuilding modified APKs, enabling users to make
changes to the decompiled code and repackage the application for further testing or
analysis.
Integration with Reverse Engineering Tools: Apktool can be integrated with other
reverse engineering tools, enhancing its capabilities in analyzing Android
applications and contributing to the overall understanding of their security
posture.
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