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ToolLicensePlatformsPricingAction
ArjunAGPL-3.0-or-laterLinux, macOS, WindowsOpen SourceProfile
BeEFGPL-2.0-only (with custom clarifications in doc/COPYING)Linux, macOSFree / CommercialProfile
CaidoProprietaryLinux, macOS, WindowsFree / CommercialProfile
ChiselMITLinux, macOS, WindowsOpen SourceProfile
Evil-WinRMLGPL-3.0-or-laterLinux, WindowsOpen SourceProfile
ffufMITLinux, macOS, WindowsOpen SourceProfile
gobusterApache-2.0Linux, macOS, WindowsOpen SourceProfile
ImpacketModified Apache-1.1 (custom; see repo LICENSE)Linux, macOS, WindowsFreeProfile
Ligolo-ngGPL-3.0-or-laterLinux, macOS, WindowsOpen SourceProfile
MasscanAGPL-3.0-onlyLinux, Windows, macOS, FreeBSDOpen SourceProfile
Metasploit FrameworkBSD-3-ClauseLinux, macOS, WindowsFree / CommercialProfile
mitmproxyMITLinux, macOS, WindowsOpen SourceProfile
NetExecBSD-2-ClauseLinux, macOS, WindowsOpen SourceProfile
NmapNPSL-0.95 (Nmap Public Source License, not OSI-approved)Linux, macOS, WindowsFree / CommercialProfile
PEASS-ngGPL-2.0-or-later with custom clarifications (see LICENSE)Linux, Windows, macOSFree / CommercialProfile
ResponderGPL-3.0-or-laterLinux, macOSOpen SourceProfile
RustScanGPL-3.0-onlyLinux, macOSOpen SourceProfile
SearchSploitGPL-2.0-or-laterLinux, macOSOpen SourceProfile
SecListsMITLinux, macOS, WindowsOpen SourceProfile
sqlmapGPL-2.0-or-laterLinux, macOS, WindowsOpen SourceProfile
wafw00fBSD-3-ClauseLinux, macOS, WindowsOpen SourceProfile

Software in Penetration Testing Tools

Arjun

Open Source

HTTP parameter discovery suite that finds hidden query and POST parameters on web endpoints.

LicenseAGPL-3.0-or-later
PlatformLinux, macOS, Windows

BeEF

Free / Commercial

Browser exploitation framework for the assessment of web client, XSS, and social-engineering security controls through hooked browser sessions.

LicenseGPL-2.0-only (with custom clarifications in doc/COPYING)
PlatformLinux, macOS

Caido

Free / Commercial

Lightweight web security auditing proxy written in Rust, offering fast HTTP traffic interception and workflow automation.

LicenseProprietary
PlatformLinux, macOS, Windows

Chisel

Open Source

Fast TCP and UDP tunnel over HTTP secured with SSH, shipped as a single Go binary.

LicenseMIT
PlatformLinux, macOS, Windows

Evil-WinRM

Open Source

WinRM shell for Linux and Windows that supports authorized remote management, file transfers, and PowerShell execution during security reviews.

LicenseLGPL-3.0-or-later
PlatformLinux, Windows

ffuf

Open Source

Fast web fuzzer written in Go for recursive directory discovery, content enumeration, and brute force scans of HTTP request parameters at scale.

LicenseMIT
PlatformLinux, macOS, Windows

gobuster

Open Source

Fast Go-based directory, DNS, and virtual host brute forcer with multiple modes for web application attack surface discovery.

LicenseApache-2.0
PlatformLinux, macOS, Windows

Python library of classes and example tools for the construction, parsing, and interaction with Windows and Active Directory network protocols.

LicenseModified Apache-1.1 (custom; see repo LICENSE)
PlatformLinux, macOS, Windows

Ligolo-ng

Open Source

Tunneling and pivoting tool that creates reverse TUN interfaces without SOCKS or port forwarding.

LicenseGPL-3.0-or-later
PlatformLinux, macOS, Windows

Masscan

Open Source

Asynchronous TCP port scanner that probes thousands of ports per second for large-scale asset and network discovery in authorized environments.

LicenseAGPL-3.0-only
PlatformLinux, Windows, macOS, FreeBSD

Metasploit Framework

Free / Commercial

Penetration testing platform and exploit database used to verify security flaws, manage payloads, and assess network posture.

LicenseBSD-3-Clause
PlatformLinux, macOS, Windows

mitmproxy

Open Source

Interactive HTTPS proxy for intercepting, inspecting, modifying, and replaying HTTP traffic.

LicenseMIT
PlatformLinux, macOS, Windows

NetExec

Open Source

Network service assessment tool for automating authentication checks, credential sprays, and Active Directory evaluations.

LicenseBSD-2-Clause
PlatformLinux, macOS, Windows

Nmap

Free / Commercial

Network discovery scanner and port auditor for discovering live hosts, open ports, running services, and OS fingerprints.

LicenseNPSL-0.95 (Nmap Public Source License, not OSI-approved)
PlatformLinux, macOS, Windows

PEASS-ng

Free / Commercial

LinPEAS, WinPEAS, and macPEAS scripts that audit Linux, Windows, and macOS systems for privilege escalation paths and exposed credentials.

LicenseGPL-2.0-or-later with custom clarifications (see LICENSE)
PlatformLinux, Windows, macOS

Responder

Open Source

LLMNR, NBT-NS, and mDNS poisoner that captures network credentials and runs rogue authentication servers during authorized internal assessments.

LicenseGPL-3.0-or-later
PlatformLinux, macOS

RustScan

Open Source

Modern Rust-based port scanner that maps open ports quickly and feeds results into Nmap for detailed follow-up service enumeration.

LicenseGPL-3.0-only
PlatformLinux, macOS

SearchSploit

Open Source

Command-line search tool for the Exploit Database that searches a local copy of exploits, shellcodes, and papers for disclosed vulnerabilities.

LicenseGPL-2.0-or-later
PlatformLinux, macOS

SecLists

Open Source

The security tester’s wordlist collection: usernames, passwords, fuzzing payloads, and discovery lists.

LicenseMIT
PlatformLinux, macOS, Windows

sqlmap

Open Source

Automated penetration testing tool that detects and exploits SQL injection flaws to assess database security configurations.

LicenseGPL-2.0-or-later
PlatformLinux, macOS, Windows

wafw00f

Open Source

Web application firewall fingerprinting tool that identifies WAF products protecting a target.

LicenseBSD-3-Clause
PlatformLinux, macOS, Windows

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Penetration Testing Tools?

Penetration testing and security assessment tools used by authorized engineers to inspect traffic, validate vulnerabilities, test authorization boundaries, and verify defensive controls.

What topics does the Penetration Testing Tools category cover?

Intercepting HTTP Proxies, Network Exploitation Frameworks, Port & Service Discovery, Web Application Fuzzing, Post-Exploitation Simulation

About Penetration Testing Tools

Penetration testing tools help authorized security engineers validate vulnerabilities, test authorization boundaries, and verify defensive controls. The category includes intercepting HTTP proxies like Burp Suite, ZAP, and Caido that sit between a browser and web server to inspect and modify requests, making them the primary tools for web application testing. Network exploitation frameworks like Metasploit and Sliver provide modules for validating vulnerabilities by exploiting them in controlled conditions. Port and service discovery tools like Nmap, Masscan, and RustScan enumerate open ports and running services across target networks. Web fuzzing tools like ffuf, Nuclei, and Dalfox probe web applications for common vulnerabilities including path traversal, XSS, and misconfigured endpoints. Post-exploitation frameworks like Cobalt Strike, Mythic, and NetExec help testers simulate adversary behavior after initial access, testing detection coverage and response playbooks. The category is broad because penetration testing spans the full attack lifecycle: reconnaissance, initial access, privilege escalation, lateral movement, and data exfiltration. Tools in this category are used only against systems where the tester has written authorization, and the defensive value comes from identifying and fixing vulnerabilities before real attackers exploit them.

Covered Topics & Disciplines

Intercepting HTTP ProxiesNetwork Exploitation FrameworksPort & Service DiscoveryWeb Application FuzzingPost-Exploitation Simulation