Website Penetration Testing | kali Linux

Website penetration testing is an essential practice in cybersecurity, aimed at identifying vulnerabilities and security gaps in web applications. Kali Linux provides a robust suite of tools for conducting comprehensive penetration tests on websites. Below, we explore some of these tools and their usage.

1. Vega - Web Application Security Scanner

Vega is an open-source tool used to scan and test the security of web applications. It helps identify vulnerabilities like SQL Injection, Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), and sensitive information leaks.

Features of Vega:

• Automated scanner for quick testing.
• Intercepting proxy for detailed inspections.
• Extendable using JavaScript API.

Steps to Use Vega:

1. Launch Vega from Applications → 03-Web Application Analysis → Vega.
2. If not installed, use the command line to install it.
3. Start a scan by clicking the + icon and entering the target URL.
4. Select modules to test (e.g., SQL Injection, XSS) and proceed with the scan.
5. Review findings categorized by severity to identify vulnerabilities and their remediation.

2. OWASP ZAP - Zed Attack Proxy

OWASP ZAP is a widely used tool for penetration testing. It is easy to use and helps discover vulnerabilities in web applications with features like spidering and automated scans.

How to Use OWASP ZAP:

1. Open ZAP from Applications → 03-Web Application Analysis → owaspzap.
2. Accept the terms and configure your scanning preferences.
3. Enter the target URL and click Attack.
4. View crawled sites and vulnerabilities in the Alerts section.
5. Use the spidering feature to review all links scanned.

3. SQLMap - Database Vulnerability Testing

SQLMap is a powerful tool that automates the detection and exploitation of SQL Injection vulnerabilities.

Steps to Use SQLMap:

1. Launch SQLMap from Applications → 04-Database Assessment → sqlmap.
2. Use the command sqlmap -u <target URL> to initiate testing.
3. Review the results to identify vulnerable parameters.

4. WPScan - WordPress Security Scanner

WPScan is a vulnerability scanner specifically designed for WordPress websites. It identifies issues like outdated plugins, themes, and misconfigurations.

Steps to Use WPScan:

1. Open WPScan from Applications → 03-Web Application Analysis → wpscan.
2. Run the command wpscan -u <target URL>.
3. Update the scanner if prompted and view findings in the results.

5. SSL Scanning with TLSSLed

TLSSLed is a shell script that evaluates SSL/TLS security by analyzing protocols, ciphers, and certificate validity.

How to Use TLSSLed:

1. Run the command tlssled <URL> <port> in the terminal.
2. Review the findings to ensure secure configurations and valid certificates.

6. W3AF - Web Application Attack and Audit Framework

W3AF is a comprehensive tool for detecting and exploiting web application vulnerabilities. It features a GUI and is extendable via Python plugins.

Steps to Use W3AF:

1. Launch W3AF from Applications → 03-Web Application Analysis → w3af.
2. Enter the target URL and select a scanning profile.
3. Start the scan and review results categorized by severity.

By using these tools effectively, penetration testers can identify and address vulnerabilities, thereby enhancing the overall security of web applications.