SearchSploit
Command-line search tool for the Exploit Database that searches a local copy of exploits, shellcodes, and papers for disclosed vulnerabilities.
Technical Architecture & Overview
SearchSploit is a command-line search tool for the Exploit Database (Exploit-DB). It searches a local copy of the database for exploits, shellcodes, and papers. The Exploit Database is a project sponsored by Offensive Security, and SearchSploit is included with Kali Linux through the exploitdb package.
Targeted Technical Use Cases
Search for public exploit code and research details for disclosed vulnerabilities when scoping patch work or vulnerability management.
Evaluation & Trade-offs
Core Strengths
- +Enables offline searches against a local Exploit-DB copy.
- +Supports case, exact, strict, title, and CVE-based searches.
- +Can output results in JSON and generate links to the Exploit-DB website.
Trade-Offs & Limitations
- -Binary files referenced by many exploits are not in the standard repository and are kept in a separate Exploit Database binary repository.
- -Search results are only as current as the local database snapshot.
- -Does not return Google Hacking Database results; papers are included only when the separate papers repository is installed and configured.
Defensive Security Application
Research disclosed vulnerabilities, understand public proof-of-concept code, and prioritize patching or mitigation before exploitation occurs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SearchSploit?→
SearchSploit is a command-line search tool for the Exploit Database (Exploit-DB). It searches a local copy of the database for exploits, shellcodes, and papers. The Exploit Database is a project sponsored by Offensive Security, and SearchSploit is included with Kali Linux through the exploitdb package.
What is SearchSploit used for?→
Search for public exploit code and research details for disclosed vulnerabilities when scoping patch work or vulnerability management.
What are the strengths of SearchSploit?→
- +Enables offline searches against a local Exploit-DB copy.
- +Supports case, exact, strict, title, and CVE-based searches.
- +Can output results in JSON and generate links to the Exploit-DB website.
What are the limitations of SearchSploit?→
- +Binary files referenced by many exploits are not in the standard repository and are kept in a separate Exploit Database binary repository.
- +Search results are only as current as the local database snapshot.
- +Does not return Google Hacking Database results; papers are included only when the separate papers repository is installed and configured.
How is SearchSploit used defensively?→
Research disclosed vulnerabilities, understand public proof-of-concept code, and prioritize patching or mitigation before exploitation occurs.