Content Written By Henry Dalziel, 2020
‘Vulnerability Exploitation Scanning Software’ can make the life of a Pentester easy easier.
In the early years of OS X, the Mac operating system was sold on a DVD. If a user forgot the administrator password, perhaps the simplest way (of several) would be to use that disc to set a new. Oct 09, 2019 Apple's Catalina Mac operating system upgrade has not been out for long but the company has already begun squashing bugs with a vengeance. MacOS Catalina 10.15 was made available for download.
However, a good Penetration Tester (‘Ethical Hacker’) will never rely solely on their tools. The ‘human’ and the ‘tool’ when combined can have very difficult results. What is often the case in the corporate world is when a Penetration Test is commissioned by the client they might often request that a second Red Team come into the organization to conduct the same test.
The reason for this is not so much to ensure a competitive atmosphere but rather it is done to compare the results of offensive security teams since it is very likely that the teams will be using the same tools and hacking software that we have listed below.
If you prefer a list of CMS specific Vulnerability scanners then hit this list.
GFI LanGuard
GFI Languard is a vulnerability and network security scanner that provides a concise analysis of the state of your network. Included here are the default configurations or application that poses as a security risk. This tool can also provide you a clear and complete picture of installed programs, mobile devices that connect to Exchange servers, the hardware on your networks, state of security applications, open ports and existing services and shares running on computers.
Is GFI LanGuard Free?
A commercial version is available. Free trial versions may also be offered.
Does GFI LanGuard Work on all Operating Systems?
GFI works on Microsoft Windows operating systems.
What are the Typical Uses for GFI LanGuard?
GFI Languard is used to aid with network and software audits, patch management and vulnerability assessments.
Core
This tool works great as a vulnerability scanner and highly recommended. We’ve actually reviewed this tool before.
MBSA
Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) is an easy-to-use tool that helps confirm the security of your computer based on Microsoft security recommendations. After the tool completes the scan on your computer, you receive specific remediation suggestions. Use MBSA to improve your security management process by detecting common security misconfigurations and missing security updates on your computer systems.
Is MBSA Free?
Yes. All versions of this tool are free of charge.
Does MBSA Work on all Operating Systems?
It currently works on Microsoft Windows operating systems.
What are the Typical Uses for MBSA?
This tool created for IT professionals is used to determine the state of security of small to medium-sized businesses. Please take note that MBSA only scans for missing security updates and critical or optional updates are left behind.
Nessus
Nessus is one of the well-known vulnerability scanners particularly Unix operating systems. Even if they closed the source code in 2005 and removed the free version in 2008, this tool still beats many of its competitors. This tool is updated constantly with over 70,000 plugins. Features of this tool include local and remote security checks, client-server architecture with a web-based interface and embedded scripting language that enable users to write their own plugins and learn more about the existing ones.
Is Nessus Free?
A commercial version of this tool is available. There is a free Nessus tool version but it has limited features and can only be licensed for home network use.
Does Nessus Work on all Operating Systems?
It is compatible with Linux, MAC OS X and Windows operating systems.
What are the Typical Uses for Nessus?
Nessus is used to scan for the following vulnerabilities like misconfigurations, default passwords or a few common passwords and absent passwords on system accounts. Nessus can also an external tool like Hydra to launch a dictionary attack, denials of service against TCP/IP stack by using malformed packets or prepare for PCI DSS audits.
Sn1per
Sn1per has generated a lot of buzz, mostly because it just works great; runs smoothly and is designed to be an efficient tool that enumerates and scans for vulnerabilities. This hacking tool comes in three flavors: a Community Edition and paid versions (Professional and Enterprise).
You can check out their site for more information.
Sn1per, much like Metasploit, is integrated with many other popular hacking tools such as Nmap, THC Hydra, nbtscan, w3af, whois, nikto and of course WPScan. WPScan is particularly important because at the last check 33% of web CRM’s are WordPress.
How Does It Work?
Sn1per works by automating a bunch of processes that collect basic recon on a target domain, (for example executing dorks search parameters, enumerating open ports, scanning for a known web app for vulnerabilities, brute-forcing open servicing – and a lot more).
Much like Nmap, you can set the tool to be noisy or stealth.
We’d absolutely recommend this tool and would advise using it as an initial “what’s what” out there to garner some intel on a target during the initial stages of engagement (pentest).
(We should really place this tool in our Multi-Purpose Tools section!)
Nexpose
Made by the same folks that manage Metasploit (Rapid7) Nexpose is a vulnerability scanner that aims to support the whole vulnerability management lifecycle. This tool addresses the discovery, detection, verification, risk classification, impact analysis, reporting and mitigation of operating systems within a network. The tool integrates with Rapid7’s Metasploit for vulnerability exploitation. This tool is sold as standalone software, an appliance, virtual machine, or as a managed service or private cloud deployment.
Is Nexpose Free?
There are commercial versions of Nexpose that start with $2,000 per year and there is also a free but limited community edition this tool.
Does Nexpose Work on all Operating Systems?
Works for Microsoft Windows and Linux operating systems.
What are the Typical Uses for Nexpose?
Nexpose is used to gather fresh data and by its Live Monitoring, you can fix the problems in a matter of hours. By also using this tool, you can transform your data into detailed visualization so you can focus resources and easily share each action with IT, compliance, security and the C-Suite.
Nipper
Nipper Studio processes the devices’ native configurations during a network audit and enables users to create various audit reports.
Using traditional methodology for your network audits, such as Agent-based software and Network Scanners or manual Penetration Testing, you could experience various drawbacks, which does not affect Nipper Studio security audit software. These network scanners send large numbers of network probes to a device and can impact performance. Only the exposed vulnerabilities are verified, potentially missing many issues.
Agent-based audit software requires software to be installed on the devices during the network audit. This is not possible for all devices and can introduce additional security vulnerabilities.
Manual Penetration Tests checks individual network devices in detail. However, this is slow, expensive and results in point in time audits of only a sample of devices.
Is Nipper Free?
A commercial version is available. Free or limited use may also be offered.
Does Nipper Work on all Operating Systems?
Nipper natively works on Linux, Microsoft Windows, and MAC OS X operating systems.
What are the Typical Uses for Nipper?
Network Infrastructure Parser is known as Nipper audits the security of network devices such as routers, switches, and firewalls. It can parse and analyze device configuration files which the user must supply.
OpenVAS
OpenVas is a free vulnerability scanner that was forked out from the last free version of another vulnerability scanner (Nessus) after this tool went propriety in 2005. Plugins of OpenVAS are still written in the Nessus NASL language and even if this project seems dead for a while, its development has restarted.
Is OpenVAS Free?
Yes, all versions of this tool are free of charge.
Does OpenVAS Work on all Operating Systems?
OpenVAS is compatible with Linux and Windows operating systems.
What are the Typical Uses for OpenVAS?
OpenVAS framework is typically used for vulnerability scanning and vulnerability management.
QualysGuard
QualysGuard is used for network discovery and mapping, vulnerability assessment reporting, remediation tracking according to business risk and vulnerability assessment.
QualysGuard aids businesses in simplifying security operations and lower the cost of compliance by providing critical security intelligence on demand and automating the full spectrum of auditing, protection for IT system, compliance, and web applications.
Is QualysGuard Free?
A commercial version is available. The free trial may also be offered.
Does QualysGuard Work on all Operating Systems?
It works natively on Linux, Microsoft Office, and MAC OS X operating systems.
Retina
This tool may be discontinued.
Just like the Nessus tool, Retina is used to monitor and scan all the hosts on a certain network and report any found vulnerabilities.
Retina is one of the security industry’s most respected and industry-validated vulnerability scanner and serves as the engine for our vulnerability management solutions. There’s no better option for securing your network from vulnerabilities.
Is Retina Free?
Retina is a paid program that starts at $1,700.00.
Does Retina Work on all Operating Systems?
Retina is a Microsft Windows-only tool.
SAINT
This tool has been discontinued, but the codebase remains on GitHub.
SAINT is a paid product that provides support to the Security Content Automation Protocol specification as an Authenticated vulnerability, unauthenticated vulnerability scanner. There are four steps of a SAINT Scan…
Step 1 is to screen every live system on a network for TCP and UDP services.
Step 2 is for each service that it finds running, it launches a set of probes designed to detect anything that could allow an attacker to gain unauthorized access, create a denial-of-service, or gain sensitive information about the network.
Step 3 is to scan for vulnerabilities and the last step is that when vulnerabilities are detected, the results are categorized in several ways, allowing customers to target the data they find most useful.
Is SAINT Free?
SAINT is used to be an open-source tool but like Nessus but is now a commercial vulnerability scanning tool.
Does SAINT Work on all Operating Systems?
It works on Linux and MAC OS X while other users say that it can also run on the Windows operating system and can scan Windows vulnerabilities.
What are the Typical Uses for SAINT?
SAINT is used to screen every live system on a network for UDP and TCP services. For every service and node that it discovers, it will launch a set of pings and probes designed to detect anything that will allow attackers or hackers to gain unauthorized access, gain sensitive information about the network or create a denial of service (DOS).
FAQ
What does a vulnerability scanning tool do?
Vulnerability scanning using one of the tools listed in our resource works by inspecting potential points of exploitation on a computer or network to identify security holes that can later be patched by a Cybersecurity Professional.
Mac Os Security Issues
A vulnerability scanning tool also typically detects and classifies system weaknesses in computers, networks and communications equipment (hardware) and predicts the effectiveness of countermeasures.
Latest Mac Os
Is Nmap a vulnerability scanner?
Mac Os Hacks
Nmap doesn’t ship specifically as a vulnerability scanner but the NSE (Engine) is able to execute vulnerability checks. Many vulnerability detection scripts are available to security professionals (mostly Penetration Testers would find them useful).