Kali Linux is a Debian-derived Linux distribution that is maintained by Offensive Security. It was developed by Mati Aharoni and Devon Kearns. Kali Linux is a specially designed OS for network analysts, Penetration testers, or in simple words, it is for those who work under the umbrella of cybersecurity and analysis.
The official website of Kali Linux is Kali.org. It gained its popularity when it was practically used in Mr. Robot Series. It was not designed for general purposes, it is supposed to be used by professionals or by those who know how to operate Linux/Kali. To know how to install Kali Linux check its official documentation. Sometimes we have to automate our tasks while performing penetration testing or hacking as there could be thousands of conditions and payloads to test and testing them manually is a difficult task, So to increase the time efficiency we use tools that come pre-packed with Kali Linux. These tools not only saves our time but also captures the accurate data and output the specific result. Kali Linux comes packed with more than 350 tools which could be useful for hacking or penetration testing. Here we have the list of important Kali Linux tools that could save a lot of your time and effort.
1. Nmap
Nmap is an open-source network scanner that is used to recon/scan networks. It is used to discover hosts, ports, and services along with their versions over a network. It sends packets to the host and then analyzes the responses in order to produce the desired results. It could even be used for host discovery, operating system detection, or scanning for open ports. It is one of the most popular reconnaissance tools. To use nmap:
Ping the host with ping command to get the IP address
ping hostname
Open the terminal and enter the following command there:
nmap -sV ipaddress
Replace the IP address with the IP address of the host you want to scan.
It will display all the captured details of the host.
2. Burp Suite
Burp Suite is one of the most popular web application security testing software. It is used as a proxy, so all the requests from the browser with the proxy pass through it. And as the request passes through the burp suite, it allows us to make changes to those requests as per our need which is good for testing vulnerabilities like XSS or SQLi or even any vulnerability related to the web. Kali Linux comes with burp suite community edition which is free but there is a paid edition of this tool known as burp suite professional which has a lot many functions as compared to burp suite community edition. To use burpsuite:
Read this to learn how to setup burp suite.
Open terminal and type “burpsuite” there.
Go to the Proxy tab and turn the interceptor switch to on.
Now visit any URL and it could be seen that the request is captured.
3. Wireshark
Wireshark is a network security tool used to analyze or work with data sent over a network. It is used to analyze the packets transmitted over a network. These packets may have information like the source IP and the destination IP, the protocol used, the data, and some headers. The packets generally have an extension of “.pcap” which could be read using the Wireshark tool. Read thisto learn how to set up and configure Wireshark. To use wireshark:
Open Wireshark and download a demo pcap file from here
Press”ctrl+o” to open a pcap file in wireshark.
Now it can be seen that it display the list of packets along with the headers of these packets.
4. metasploit Framework
Metasploit is an open-source tool that was designed by Rapid7 technologies. It is one of the world’s most used penetration testing frameworks. It comes packed with a lot of exploits to exploit the vulnerabilities over a network or operating systems. Metasploit generally works over a local network but we can use Metasploit for hosts over the internet using “port forwarding“. Basically Metasploit is a CLI based tool but it even has a GUI package called “armitage” which makes the use of Metasploit more convenient and feasible. To use metasploit:
Metasploit comes pre-installed with Kali Linux
Just enter “msfconsole” in the terminal.
5. aircrack-ng
Aircrack is an all in one packet sniffer, WEP and WPA/WPA2 cracker, analyzing tool and a hash capturing tool. It is a tool used for wifi hacking. It helps in capturing the package and reading the hashes out of them and even cracking those hashes by various attacks like dictionary attacks. It supports almost all the latest wireless interfaces. To use aircrack-ng:
aircrack-ng comes pre-compiled with Kali Linux.
Simply type aircrack-ng in the terminal to use it.
6. Netcat Netcat is a networking tool used to work with ports and performing actions like port scanning, port listening, or port redirection. This command is even used for Network Debugging or even network daemon testing. This tool is considered as the Swiss army knife of networking tools. It could even be used to do the operating related to TCP, UDP, or UNIX-domain sockets or to open remote connections and much more. To use netcat:
Netcat comes pre-installed with Kali Linux.
Just type “nc” or “netcat” in the terminal to use the tool.
To perform port listening type the following commands in 2 different terminals.
nc -l -p 1234
nc 127.0.0.1 1234
7. John the Ripper
John the Ripper is a great tool for cracking passwords using some famous brute force attacks like dictionary attack or custom wordlist attack etc. It is even used to crack the hashes or passwords for the zipped or compressed files and even locked files as well. It has many available options to crack hashes or passwords. To use John the Ripper:
John the ripper comes pre-installed in Kali Linux.
Just type “john” in the terminal to use the tool.
8. sqlmap
sqlmap is one of the best tools to perform SQL injection attacks. It just automates the process of testing a parameter for SQL injection and even automates the process of exploitation of the vulnerable parameter. It is a great tool as it detects the database on its own so we just have to provide a URL to check whether the parameter in the URL is vulnerable or not, we could even use the requested file to check for POST parameters. To use sqlmap tool:
sqlmap comes pre-installed in Kali Linux
Just type sqlmap in the terminal to use the tool.
9. Autopsy
Autopsy is a digital forensics tool that is used to gather information from forensics. Or in other words, this tool is used to investigate files or logs to learn about what exactly was done with the system. It could even be used as a recovery software to recover files from a memory card or a pen drive. To use autopsy tool:
Autopsy comes pre-installed in Kali Linux
Just type “autopsy” in the terminal.
Now visit http://localhost:9999/autopsy in order to use the tool
10. Social Engineering Toolkit
Social Engineering Toolkit is a collection of tools that could be used to perform social engineering attacks. These tools use and manipulate human behavior for information gathering. it is a great tool to phish the websites even. To use Social Engineering Toolkit
Social Engineering Toolkit comes pre-installed with Kali Linux
Just type “setoolkit” in the terminal.
Agree to the terms and conditions to start using the social engineering toolkit.
Kali Linux Overview
Kali Linux is a Debian-based Linux distribution specifically designed for penetration testing, security research, computer forensics, and reverse engineering. Developed by Offensive Security, Kali Linux comes pre-installed with numerous tools used for various information security tasks, making it a powerful platform for ethical hackers and security professionals.
Advantages of Kali Linux
Comprehensive Toolset:
Function: Kali Linux includes hundreds of pre-installed tools for different aspects of security testing, including network analysis, vulnerability assessment, exploitation, digital forensics, and wireless attacks.
Advantage: This saves time and effort for users, as they don't need to install and configure each tool individually.
Regular Updates:
Function: The distribution is regularly updated with the latest security patches and tool versions.
Advantage: Ensures that users have access to the most current tools and security features.
Wide Community and Support:
Function: Kali Linux has a large and active community, as well as comprehensive documentation and forums.
Advantage: Users can easily find support, tutorials, and guides, making it easier to learn and troubleshoot issues.
Customizability:
Function: Users can customize Kali Linux to suit their specific needs, including creating custom builds with only the required tools.
Advantage: Enhances efficiency and performance by reducing unnecessary bloat.
Portable and Flexible:
Function: Kali Linux can be run from a live CD/USB, installed on a hard drive, or used in a virtual machine.
Advantage: Offers flexibility in how and where it can be used, making it suitable for various environments and scenarios.
Learning and Certification:
Function: Kali Linux is the base for Offensive Security’s certification exams like OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional).
Advantage: Provides a recognized platform for learning and proving skills in ethical hacking and penetration testing.
Disadvantages of Kali Linux
Steep Learning Curve:
Disadvantage: For beginners, Kali Linux can be intimidating due to its vast array of tools and the technical knowledge required to use them effectively.
Security Risks:
Disadvantage: Using Kali Linux improperly, especially without understanding the tools, can inadvertently cause security issues, such as opening vulnerabilities on the host machine or network.
Resource Intensive:
Disadvantage: Running resource-intensive tools or multiple tools simultaneously can be demanding on system resources, requiring a powerful machine for optimal performance.
Not for General Use:
Disadvantage: Kali Linux is not intended for general-purpose desktop use, as it is optimized for security testing rather than day-to-day tasks.
Function and Scope in Kali Linux
Function: Kali Linux serves as a comprehensive platform for various cybersecurity activities:
Penetration Testing:
Includes tools for network scanning (e.g., Nmap), vulnerability assessment (e.g., OpenVAS), exploitation (e.g., Metasploit), and post-exploitation (e.g., Empire).
Digital Forensics:
Tools for forensic analysis, such as Autopsy and Sleuth Kit, which are used to recover and analyze data from digital devices.
Reverse Engineering:
Tools like Ghidra and Radare2 are used to decompile and analyze binary code.
Wireless Attacks:
Tools for auditing and attacking wireless networks, such as Aircrack-ng and Kismet.
Social Engineering:
Tools like Social-Engineer Toolkit (SET) are designed to simulate and test social engineering attacks.
Scope: Kali Linux is primarily used by:
Ethical Hackers and Penetration Testers:
To identify and exploit security vulnerabilities in systems and applications in a controlled and legal manner.
Security Researchers:
For studying and understanding emerging threats, vulnerabilities, and attack techniques.
Forensic Analysts:
To investigate digital crimes by recovering and analyzing digital evidence.
IT Administrators:
To perform security assessments and harden the security posture of their organization’s infrastructure.
Cybersecurity Students:
For educational purposes, to gain hands-on experience with real-world security tools and scenarios.
Is Kali Linux Suitable for Ethical Hacking?
Yes, Kali Linux is highly suitable for ethical hacking. It is specifically designed for security professionals and includes a wide array of tools required for various stages of penetration testing and security assessments. The following features make it ideal for ethical hacking:
Pre-installed Tools: A comprehensive suite of tools that cover the entire spectrum of penetration testing, from reconnaissance to exploitation and reporting.
Ease of Setup: Quick setup and deployment in various environments, including virtual machines, which is essential for creating isolated testing environments.
Regular Updates: Frequent updates ensure that the tools are current and effective against the latest security threats.
Community and Resources: Extensive community support, tutorials, and documentation facilitate learning and troubleshooting.
Conclusion
Kali Linux is a powerful and versatile platform tailored for ethical hacking and cybersecurity. Its extensive toolset, customizability, and community support make it an invaluable resource for security professionals and learners. While it comes with a steep learning curve and potential risks if misused, its advantages in providing a robust environment for security testing and research far outweigh the disadvantages.
What You Can Do with Kali Linux
Kali Linux is a versatile and powerful platform primarily used for security-related tasks. Here are some key activities you can perform using Kali Linux:
Penetration Testing:
Network Scanning: Use tools like Nmap to discover hosts and services on a network.
Vulnerability Assessment: Identify vulnerabilities in systems and applications using tools like OpenVAS and Nessus.
Exploitation: Use Metasploit to exploit discovered vulnerabilities and gain unauthorized access to systems.
Post-Exploitation: Gather information from compromised systems and maintain access using tools like Meterpreter.
Digital Forensics:
Data Recovery: Recover deleted files and analyze file systems with tools like Autopsy and Sleuth Kit.
Disk Imaging: Create and analyze disk images to preserve and inspect digital evidence.
Reverse Engineering:
Binary Analysis: Disassemble and analyze executable files using tools like Ghidra and Radare2.
Malware Analysis: Examine malicious software to understand its behavior and develop countermeasures.
Wireless Network Security:
Wi-Fi Cracking: Use tools like Aircrack-ng to crack WEP/WPA/WPA2 encryption on wireless networks.
Network Monitoring: Monitor and analyze wireless network traffic with tools like Wireshark and Kismet.
Social Engineering:
Phishing: Create and deploy phishing campaigns using the Social-Engineer Toolkit (SET).
Human Interaction: Simulate social engineering attacks to test the security awareness of individuals.
Web Application Security:
Web Scanning: Identify vulnerabilities in web applications using tools like Burp Suite and OWASP ZAP.
SQL Injection: Exploit SQL injection vulnerabilities with tools like SQLmap to access or manipulate databases.
XSS Attacks: Discover and exploit cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities to execute scripts in users' browsers.
Password Cracking:
Hash Cracking: Crack password hashes using tools like John the Ripper and Hashcat.
Brute Force Attacks: Perform brute force attacks on login forms and authentication systems.
Network Security:
Firewall Testing: Test and bypass firewall rules to assess network security.
Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attacks: Intercept and manipulate network traffic with tools like Ettercap and MITMf.
Exploitation Development:
Exploit Writing: Develop and test custom exploits using programming and scripting languages.
Fuzzing: Discover vulnerabilities by fuzzing applications and protocols with tools like AFL and Peach.
Maintaining Access:
Backdoors: Set up persistent backdoors to maintain access to compromised systems.
Privilege Escalation: Use techniques and tools to escalate privileges on compromised systems.
Conclusion
Kali Linux is designed to be a one-stop solution for all your cybersecurity needs. Whether you are a penetration tester, forensic analyst, reverse engineer, or a security researcher, Kali Linux provides the tools and environment to perform a wide range of security-related tasks efficiently and effectively. The platform's extensive toolset and flexibility make it an invaluable resource for both learning and professional security assessments.
Yes, Kali Linux is highly worth it for ethical hacking. Here's why:
Advantages of Kali Linux for Ethical Hacking
Comprehensive Toolset:
Variety of Tools: Kali Linux comes pre-installed with hundreds of tools that cover various aspects of penetration testing and security research, such as Nmap for network scanning, Metasploit for exploitation, and Wireshark for network analysis.
Specialized Tools: It includes tools for web application testing, wireless network testing, forensic analysis, and reverse engineering.
Regular Updates:
Current Tools: Kali Linux is regularly updated, ensuring you have the latest versions of tools and security patches.
New Tools: New tools and features are frequently added to the distribution.
Flexibility:
Deployment Options: Kali Linux can be run from a live CD/USB, installed on a hard drive, or used in a virtual machine. This flexibility allows ethical hackers to use it in various environments.
Customizability: Users can customize Kali Linux to include only the tools they need, optimizing performance and usability.
Educational Value:
Learning Platform: Kali Linux is widely used in cybersecurity training and education. Many online courses and certifications, such as Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP), are based on Kali Linux.
Documentation and Community: Extensive documentation, forums, and a large community provide support and resources for learning.
Widely Recognized:
Industry Standard: Kali Linux is recognized and respected in the cybersecurity industry, making it a valuable skill for professionals.
Certifications: Knowledge of Kali Linux can help in obtaining reputable certifications and improving job prospects.
Open Source and Free:
Cost-Effective: Kali Linux is free to download and use, making it accessible to anyone interested in ethical hacking.
Source Code: Being open-source, users can review and modify the source code to better understand how the tools work.
Disadvantages and Considerations
Learning Curve:
Complexity: For beginners, the vast array of tools and their functionalities can be overwhelming. It requires a good understanding of Linux and networking.
Documentation: While there is extensive documentation available, mastering the tools and techniques still requires significant effort and practice.
Potential for Misuse:
Ethical Concerns: The powerful tools included in Kali Linux can be misused for illegal activities. It's important to use Kali Linux responsibly and ethically.
Legal Implications: Unauthorized testing or scanning can lead to legal consequences. Always have proper authorization before conducting penetration tests.
Resource Intensive:
Hardware Requirements: Some tools can be resource-intensive, requiring a powerful machine for optimal performance.
Performance: Running multiple tools simultaneously can impact system performance.
Not for General Use:
Specialized Distribution: Kali Linux is not designed for general-purpose desktop use. It lacks many of the user-friendly features and applications found in other Linux distributions meant for everyday use.
Conclusion
Kali Linux is highly valuable for ethical hacking due to its extensive toolset, regular updates, flexibility, and strong community support. While it has a steep learning curve and requires responsible use, it remains the go-to platform for both aspiring and experienced security professionals. Its advantages in providing a comprehensive and customizable environment for security assessments far outweigh the disadvantages, making it a worthwhile investment for anyone serious about ethical hacking and cybersecurity.