Penetration testing (Pentesting) is a critical process in cybersecurity, involving the use of specialized tools to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in systems and networks. Pentest tools are essential for conducting thorough security assessments, helping to safeguard against potential threats.
Using a programming language from your choice you will create a multi-functional tool for penetration testing, similar to popular security tools like `Nmap`, and `Dirsearch`. This project aims to give hands-on experience in understanding and developing security tools and building a practical toolkit for various Pentesting tasks.
Before asking for help, ask yourself if you have really thought about all the possibilities.
### Role play
To enhance the learning experience and assess your knowledge, a role play question session will be included as part of this project. This section will involve answering a series of questions in a simulated real-world scenario where you assume the role of a Cyber Security Expert explaining how to use pentesting tools to a team or stakeholder.
The goal of the role play question session is to:
- Assess your understanding of pentesting tools and techniques.
- Test your ability to communicate effectively and explain security measures related to this project.
- Challenge you to think critically about the importance of penetration testing and consider alternative approaches.
Prepare for a role play question session in the audit.
### Project Requirements
#### Tool Development:
You will develop the following tools:
1.**TinyScanner (Simple Port Scanner):**
- Create a tool that checks for open, closed, or filtered ports on a target host.
- The tool should support TCP scanning and the ability to scan a range of ports.
2.**DirFinder (Small Dirsearch):**
- Develop a tool to discover hidden directories and files on a web server by brute-forcing common paths using a wordlist.
3.**HostMapper:**
- Build a tool to perform a ping sweep to identify live hosts on a subnet.
4.**HeaderGrabber:**
- Implement a tool that retrieves and analyzes HTTP headers from a web server.
If you complete the mandatory part successfully, and you still have free time, you can implement anything that you feel deserves to be a bonus, for example:
- Adding a graphical user interface (GUI) for better user accessibility.
- Implementing advanced scanning techniques like SYN scans in TinyScanner.
Challenge yourself!
### Documentation
Create a `README.md` file that provides comprehensive documentation for your tools (prerequisites, setup, configuration, usage, ...). This file must be submitted as part of the solution for the project.
Include clear guidelines and warnings about the ethical and legal use of the tools in your documentation.
### Ethical and Legal Considerations
- Get Permission: Always obtain explicit permission before scanning or testing any network or system.
- Respect Privacy: Collect only necessary data and store it securely.
- Follow Laws: Adhere to relevant laws such as GDPR and CFAA.
- Report Responsibly: Notify affected parties privately if you identify vulnerabilities.
- Educational Use Only: Use these tools solely for learning and improving security.
> ⚠️ Disclaimer: This project is for educational purposes only. Ensure all activities comply with legal and ethical standards. The institution is not responsible for misuse of the techniques and tools demonstrated.
### Submission and Audit
Upon completing this project, you should submit the following: