Top 20 Penetration Testing Tools Every Pentesters Should Know About
John Greenwood
Posted On March 18, 2023
Protect your organization’s assets & maintain customer trust with penetration testing tools. Identify weaknesses & improve security controls.
Penetration testing, commonly known as pentesting, is a proactive approach to identifying vulnerabilities and weaknesses in an organization’s information system, network, or web application.
Pentesting is an essential component of the cybersecurity strategy for many companies, as it helps them identify and fix potential security risks before attackers can exploit them. In this article, we will discuss the penetration testing methodology, tools, and trends in the pentesting market.
What is Penetration Testing?
Penetration testing is a method of testing the security of an organization’s IT infrastructure. The purpose of penetration testing is to identify security weaknesses that could be exploited by attackers. Penetration testing involves simulating an attack on the organization’s system to identify vulnerabilities in the system’s security controls, configuration, and design.
Why Penetration Testing Tools are important?
Penetration testing tools are crucial in today’s fast-paced digital world. They help organizations identify weaknesses in their IT infrastructure and applications before malicious actors can exploit them. These tools simulate attacks and test the security controls in place, allowing organizations to take proactive measures to protect their systems and data.
Compliance requirements are another reason why penetration testing tools are needed. Many industries and regulatory bodies require organizations to perform regular security assessments, including penetration testing. These tools can help organizations meet these requirements and avoid costly penalties for non-compliance.
By identifying and remediating vulnerabilities, penetration testing tools help reduce the risk of cyber attacks. This can prevent data breaches, financial losses, and damage to an organization’s reputation. Moreover, these tools can improve incident response capabilities by identifying weaknesses in an organization’s incident response plans and procedures.
Penetration Testing Methodology:
There are various penetration testing methodologies, but the most commonly used methodology is the Open-Source Security Testing Methodology Manual (OSSTMM). The OSSTMM methodology consists of five phases, which are:
- Planning and preparation: This phase involves defining the scope of the penetration test, identifying the testing goals and objectives, and obtaining permission from the organization’s management to conduct the test.
- Information gathering: This phase involves gathering information about the organization’s IT infrastructure, network topology, and applications. The information is used to identify potential vulnerabilities and weaknesses in the system.
- Vulnerability scanning: This phase involves using automated tools to scan the IT infrastructure for vulnerabilities. The tools used in this phase include vulnerability scanners, network mapping tools, and port scanners.
- Exploitation: This phase involves attempting to exploit the vulnerabilities identified in the previous phase. This is done using manual or automated techniques.
- Reporting: This phase involves documenting the findings of the penetration test, including the vulnerabilities identified, the severity of the vulnerabilities, and recommendations for remediation.
How to use Penetration Testing Tools?
Using penetration testing tools requires a solid understanding of the tool’s capabilities and the underlying technologies and protocols being tested. The following steps provide a general overview of how to use penetration testing tools:
- Plan and prepare: Before using a penetration testing tool, it is important to have a clear understanding of the objectives and scope of the test. This includes identifying the target systems or applications, defining the testing methodologies to be used, and obtaining any necessary permissions or approvals.
- Install and configure the tool: Depending on the tool, it may need to be installed on a local or remote system and configured with the appropriate settings and options. This may involve setting up network connections, specifying target addresses and ports, and configuring authentication credentials.
- Conduct the test: Once the tool is configured, it can be used to conduct the actual penetration testing. This may involve running scans or probes to identify vulnerabilities, exploiting vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access, or testing the effectiveness of security controls.
- Analyze and report: Once the testing is complete, it is important to analyze the results and report on any vulnerabilities or weaknesses found. This may involve reviewing logs and output files generated by the tool, verifying findings through manual testing, and providing recommendations for remediation.
- Follow up and retest: Penetration testing is an ongoing process, and it is important to follow up on any vulnerabilities found and retest after remediation measures have been implemented.
It is worth noting that using penetration testing tools effectively requires a high degree of technical expertise and experience. It is important to use tools in a responsible and ethical manner and to follow industry best practices for testing and reporting.
Pentesting Market and Trends:
The pentesting market is growing rapidly, driven by the increasing need for organizations to protect their sensitive data from cyber attacks. According to a report by MarketsandMarkets, the global penetration testing market is expected to grow from $1.7 billion in 2020 to $4.5 billion by 2025, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 21.5%.
The COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated the growth of the pentesting market, as organizations have increasingly moved their operations online, making them more vulnerable to cyber attacks. The pandemic has also highlighted the need for businesses to have a strong cybersecurity strategy in place.
One of the emerging trends in the pentesting market is the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in cybersecurity. AI and ML are being used to automate the pentesting process, making it more efficient and effective.
Another trend in the pentesting market is the shift towards cloud-based pentesting tools. Cloud-based tools offer more flexibility and scalability, allowing organizations to conduct pentesting from anywhere and at any time.
Top 20 Penetration Testing Tools: Best Pentesting Tools
There are various penetration testing tools available in the market.
Here are the top 20 best penetration testing tools:
| Tool Name | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Metasploit | Exploit testing, vulnerability scanning, post-exploitation tools | Free |
| Nmap | Network exploration and port scanning | Free |
| Nikto | Web server scanner and vulnerability tester | Free |
| Burp Suite | Web application security testing | Starting at $399/year |
| Acunetix | Web application security testing | Starting at $4,795/year |
| Nessus | Vulnerability scanner | Starting at $2,790/year |
| OpenVAS | Vulnerability scanner | Free |
| Qualys | Vulnerability management and assessment | Contact for pricing |
| Nexpose | Vulnerability management and assessment | Contact for pricing |
| Core Impact | Comprehensive penetration testing suite | Contact for pricing |
| Cobalt Strike | Advanced threat emulation and post-exploitation tools | Contact for pricing |
| Wireshark | Network protocol analyzer | Free |
| Tcpdump | Command-line packet analyzer | Free |
| OWASP ZAP | Web application security scanner and testing suite | Free |
| BeEF | Browser exploitation framework | Free |
| Hydra | Network authentication cracker | Free |
| John the Ripper | Password cracker | Free |
| Aircrack-ng | Wireless network analysis and cracking tool | Free |
| Social-Engineer Toolkit | Social engineering framework | Free |
| Maltego | Open-source intelligence and forensics tool | Starting at $995/year |
Metasploit
Metasploit is a penetration testing tool that is widely used by security professionals to identify vulnerabilities in IT systems. It is an open-source tool that offers both free and commercial versions. Metasploit uses various attack vectors and techniques to test the security of IT systems.
It provides a wide range of features, including vulnerability scanning, exploit development, and penetration testing automation. Metasploit is a powerful tool that can be used to test the security of both web applications and network infrastructure.
Nmap
Nmap is a network scanning tool used to identify open ports and services on a network. It is an open-source tool that can be used to conduct network reconnaissance, mapping, and auditing.
Nmap provides a range of features, including host discovery, OS detection, and vulnerability scanning. Nmap can be used to identify potential security threats and vulnerabilities in a network infrastructure.
Wireshark:
Wireshark is a network protocol analyzer that is used to capture and analyze network traffic. It is an open-source tool that can be used to troubleshoot network issues, identify potential security threats, and perform penetration testing.
Wireshark provides a range of features, including packet capture, filtering, and analysis. Wireshark is a powerful tool that can be used to identify potential security threats and vulnerabilities in a network infrastructure.
Burp Suite
Burp Suite is a web application security testing tool used to test the security of web applications.
It is a commercial tool that offers a range of features, including vulnerability scanning, automated testing, and manual testing. Burp Suite is a powerful tool that can be used to identify potential security threats and vulnerabilities in web applications.
Nessus
Nessus is a vulnerability scanner used to identify potential security threats and vulnerabilities in IT systems. It is a commercial tool that offers a range of features, including vulnerability scanning, patch management, and compliance auditing.
Nessus is a powerful tool that can be used to identify potential security threats and vulnerabilities in both web applications and network infrastructure.
OpenVAS
OpenVAS is an open-source vulnerability scanner used to identify potential security threats and vulnerabilities in IT systems. It provides a range of features, including vulnerability scanning, patch management, and compliance auditing.
OpenVAS is a powerful tool that can be used to identify potential security threats and vulnerabilities in both web applications and network infrastructure.
Aircrack-ng
Aircrack-ng is a wireless network security tool used to crack Wi-Fi passwords. It is an open-source tool that provides a range of features, including wireless network monitoring, packet capture, and password cracking.
Aircrack-ng is a powerful tool that can be used to test the security of wireless networks.
John the Ripper
John the Ripper is a password cracking tool used to crack passwords. It is an open-source tool that provides a range of features, including password cracking, password generation, and password analysis. John the Ripper is a powerful tool that can be used to test the strength of passwords and other security credentials.
Hydra
Hydra is a password cracking tool used to crack passwords using various methods. It is an open-source tool that provides a range of features, including password cracking, password generation, and password analysis. Hydra is a powerful tool that can be used to test the strength of passwords and other security credentials.
THC Hydra
THC Hydra is a password cracking tool used to crack passwords using various methods. It is an open-source tool that provides a range of features, including password cracking, password generation, and password analysis. THC Hydra is a powerful tool that can be used to test the strength of passwords and other security credentials.
Maltego
Maltego is a data mining tool used to gather information about an organization or individual. It is a commercial tool that provides a range of features, including data visualization, information gathering, and analysis. Maltego is a powerful tool that can be used to perform reconnaissance and identify potential security threats and vulnerabilities.
Nikto
Nikto is a web server scanner used to identify potential security threats and vulnerabilities in web applications. It is an open-source tool that provides a range of features, including web server scanning, vulnerability scanning, and exploit testing. Nikto is a powerful tool that can be used to identify potential security threats and vulnerabilities in web applications.
Acunetix
Acunetix is a web application security testing tool used to identify potential security threats and vulnerabilities in web applications. It is a commercial tool that provides a range of features, including vulnerability scanning, automated testing, and manual testing. Acunetix is a powerful tool that can be used to identify potential security threats and vulnerabilities in web applications.
Zed Attack Proxy (ZAP)
Zed Attack Proxy (ZAP) is a web application security testing tool used to identify potential security threats and vulnerabilities in web applications. It is an open-source tool that provides a range of features, including vulnerability scanning, automated testing, and manual testing. ZAP is a powerful tool that can be used to identify potential security threats and vulnerabilities in web applications.
SQLMap
SQLMap is a SQL injection tool used to identify potential security threats and vulnerabilities in web applications. It is an open-source tool that provides a range of features, including automatic detection of SQL injection vulnerabilities, automatic database fingerprinting, and automatic detection of file system access vulnerabilities.
SQLMap is a powerful tool that can be used to identify potential security threats and vulnerabilities in web applications.
Kali Linux
Kali Linux is a Linux distribution used for penetration testing and digital forensics. It is an open-source tool that provides a range of features, including a wide range of penetration testing tools, vulnerability scanning, and forensic analysis. Kali Linux is a powerful tool that can be used for a wide range of security testing and analysis.
BeEF
BeEF (Browser Exploitation Framework) is a penetration testing tool used to test the security of web browsers. It is an open-source tool that provides a range of features, including command and control of web browsers, social engineering attacks, and web application exploitation.
BeEF is a powerful tool that can be used to identify potential security threats and vulnerabilities in web browsers.
Fiddler
Fiddler is a web debugging proxy tool used to identify potential security threats and vulnerabilities in web applications. It is a commercial tool that provides a range of features, including web session manipulation, web debugging, and web performance testing.
Fiddler is a powerful tool that can be used to identify potential security threats and vulnerabilities in web applications.
Grendel-Scan
Grendel-Scan is a web application security testing tool used to identify potential security threats and vulnerabilities in web applications. It is an open-source tool that provides a range of features, including web application scanning, vulnerability scanning, and automated testing.
Grendel-Scan is a powerful tool that can be used to identify potential security threats and vulnerabilities in web applications.
Netcat
Netcat is a networking utility tool used to test the security of network connections. It is an open-source tool that provides a range of features, including port scanning, file transfer, and network debugging. Netcat is a powerful tool that can be used to identify potential security threats and vulnerabilities in network infrastructure.
Overall, these are some of the top penetration testing tools used by security professionals to identify potential security threats and vulnerabilities in IT systems. These tools provide a range of features and capabilities, including vulnerability scanning, port scanning, file transfer, network debugging and a streamlined approach towards proactive network security.
Penetration Testing Tools Pricing and Comparison
When it comes to penetration testing tools, there are a wide variety of options available, ranging from free and open-source tools to commercial tools with advanced features and support. Some tools may be better suited for specific types of testing or for specific industries, while others are more general-purpose and can be used in a wide range of scenarios.
In terms of pricing, some of the most popular tools on the market include both free and commercial options. For example, Metasploit, Nmap, and Nikto are all open-source tools that can be used for free, while other tools like Burp Suite and Acunetix are commercial products that require a paid license.
Prices for commercial tools can vary widely depending on the features and level of support offered. For example, Nessus Professional, a vulnerability scanner, starts at $2,790 per year for a single user license, while Burp Suite Professional, a web application security tool, starts at $399 per year for a single user license.
Other commercial tools like Rapid7’s InsightVM and Tenable’s SecurityCenter offer a range of features, including vulnerability scanning, compliance reporting, and remediation workflows. These tools can be more expensive, with pricing ranging from several thousand dollars per year to tens of thousands of dollars per year for larger organizations.
Ultimately, the choice of which tool to use will depend on a variety of factors, including the specific testing requirements, budget, and level of expertise of the testing team. It is important to carefully evaluate each tool and determine which features and capabilities are most important for the organization’s needs, and to consider both the upfront cost and ongoing maintenance and support costs when making a decision.
Summary on Penetration Testing Tools
In conclusion, penetration testing is an essential component of an organization’s cybersecurity strategy. It helps businesses identify potential security risks and vulnerabilities in their IT infrastructure, network, and web applications. There are various penetration testing methodologies and tools available in the market, which can be used to conduct effective pentesting.
The pentesting market is growing rapidly, driven by the increasing need for businesses to protect their sensitive data from cyber attacks. As the threat landscape continues to evolve, it is essential for organizations to stay up to date with the latest trends and technologies in the pentesting market.
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