Top 10 Penetration Testing Tools in 2022

Penetration tools help pentesters and ethical hackers test the resilience of computing infrastructure by simulating a real-world attack, without any of the associated risks. They are especially effective in defending an organization against unknown or “zero-day” threats. This article discusses the top 10 penetration testing tools to use in 2022. It also explains the key features, pricing, and USP.

Key Must-Have Features for Penetration Testing Software

Penetration testing, commonly known as pen test or ethical hacking is an authorized, imitative cyberattack targeted at a computer network to evaluate any weakness in the network’s security. 

The internet has become a fundamental part of the global economy. All organizations use computer technology for day-to-day activities, from multi-billion-dollar corporations to small private firms. This puts many people at risk of malware, cybercriminals, and hackers if the proper measures are not taken. However, even the most preemptive measures have vulnerabilities and loopholes – which is where penetration testing comes in.

A penetration test is a security exercise performed by the organization, where an expert tries to find, invade and exploit weaknesses in the organization’s computer system or networks. The primary goal is to find any potential weakness. It also helps organizations maintain and comply with a set standard for protecting their clients’ privacy. 

It is used in budget allocation to provide quantitative and qualitative information about the state of the system’s security. Penetration tests can be automated or carried out manually by ethical hackers. On the other hand, automated penetration testing is done using special software. 

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1. Detailed and comprehensive reports

A good penetration testing software must be able to give detailed and comprehensive reports. Penetration testing does not just end at finding vulnerabilities in a network. The operator or administrator must be able to understand the problems in the network. Without this knowledge, it would be challenging to plan the following action. A testing report should describe, give evidence for and assess the risk, and recommend the solution to any vulnerability found. 

2. Built-in vulnerability scanner

A vulnerability scanner comes hand in with most commercial penetration testing tools. The purpose of vulnerability scanning is to find any hardware or software lapse that may prove a route of attack on the system later. Vulnerability scanners carry out their scanning based on a published database of Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE), making regular updates very important. Scanning also includes automated scans that one can set to run across specific applications.

3. Multi-system operability

An indispensable feature of good penetration testing software is its ability to be used on different devices. Most penetration software is Linux operating systems compatible, with some already pre-installed on the OS. However, other devices running on Windows operating systems, macOS, and Android mobile phones also need penetration testing tools to check for vulnerabilities. This has made testing software that is compatible with several devices to be in high demand. 

4. Password cracking capabilities

Passwords form one of the weakest links in any organization or computer network. Individuals often use the most basic combination of characters to safeguard access to vital information. This is why penetration tests often include an assessment of password strength. As such, penetration testing software must be able to crack passwords. They use a combination of features such as brute force attacks, cryptanalysis attacks, and dictionary attacks to assess password strength.

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Top 10 Penetration Testing Tools in 2022 

1. Aircrack-ng

Overview: Aircrack-ng is a standard, well-known tool used to assess, dissect and crack wireless networks. It was created in 2010 and used to test wireless networks on the 801.11 standards. 

Key features: The key features of Aircrack-ng include: 

• Password cracking: Aircrack-ng is a wireless network testing tool that can decrypt WEP and WPA PSK passwords, indicating a vital area of weakness. 
• Packet sniffing: Aircrack-ng can monitor a given WiFi network. It captures data packets and then exports them to text files to further network analysis. 
• Attacking: like every pen test tool, Aircrack-ng can carry out replay attacks, set up fake access points, and also introduce packets to the network. 
• Operating system compatibility: When it was first released, Aircrack-ng was designed to function on Linux OS. This has been expanded to include Windows OS, among others. 

USP: Aircrack-ng is one of the older penetration testing software options. It is well known with a widely available source code made.

Pricing: Aircrack-ng is a free tool available for download. 

Editorial comments: Aircrack-ng is a set of tools that focuses on various aspects of WiFi and can be used to monitor WiFi security. However, you cannot use it on non-wireless networks. 

2. Burp Suite

Overview: Burp Suite is a Java-based penetration testing tool developed by PortSwigger web security. It is a combined testing and vulnerability scanning tool designed for web applications. 

Key features: The key features of Burp Suite include: 

• Vulnerability scanning: Burp Suite has a scanner with broad coverage, structured to test modern web applications with different APIs and compare with documented vulnerabilities.
• Decoder: Burp Suite can determine and decode the encryption used in transferring data packets across a network. Beyond that, it can encode similar data in a network. 
• Detailed comprehensive reports: The importance of security testing is to understand possible weaknesses. Burp Suite generates detailed reports that one can easily understand. 
• Operating system compatibility: Burp Suite comes in three versions and all versions run on Linux, macOS, and Windows OS computers with the correct specifications. 

USP: In addition to the penetration testing and vulnerability scans, Burp Suite allows you to scan passively as you browse.

Pricing: Burp Suite professional edition for a single user costs $399 annually. 

Editorial comments: Burp Suite is among the leading cyber security tools in the market. However, the prices of the professional and enterprise versions of the tool are pretty high. 

3. Cain and Abel

Overview:  Cain and Abel is a penetration testing tool created in 2014. It is a tool that uses various methods for password recovery and packet analysis on Microsoft Windows 

Key features: The key features of Cain and Abel include:

• VoIP recording: Although not its primary function, you can use Cain and Abel to record VoIP, which is also part of network testing.
• Password cracking: Cain and Abel is primarily a password cracking tool and can recover different types of passwords using brute force, dictionary attacks, and cryptanalysis attacks. 
• Packet sniffing: Cain and Abel can monitor or sniff network data packets. These packets are then captured and analyzed to get important information about the network. 
• Operating system compatibility: Cain and Abel is a tool that was created to run on Microsoft Windows operating systems from vista to the latest Windows OS.

USP: Cain and Abel is a high-speed password recovery tool that uncovers the most difficult passwords. 

Pricing: The Cain and Abel penetration testing tool is free. 

Editorial comments: This is a good tool if you are wondering whether hackers can easily decode your passwords. However, a source of concern is the unavailability of the source code.

4. CANVAS by Immunity

Overview: Canvas is one of the leading security assessment tools available for commercial use. Developed by immunity, it is an Indian company used for penetration testing and exploit research.

Key features: The key features of Canvas include: 

• Canvas early update: This is a crucial Canvas feature that ensures the viability of time-sensitive projects by accessing newly released vulnerabilities by the minute. 
• Exploit documentation: The immunity feature carefully chooses the vulnerabilities included as part of Canvas Exploits. The most important ones have new and high-value vulnerabilities. 
• Canvas Strategic: Canvas Strategic allows a team working on Canvas from different computer units to share, monitor, and coordinate progress and achievements. 
• Operating system compatibility: Canvas can fully operate on systems with Windows or Linux operating systems. It can also run on Android mobile phones to a limited extent. 

USP: One unique aspect of Canvas is its adaptable, open design that allows users to customize the software accordingly. 

Pricing: Immunity Canvas costs $32,480 for a year license.

Editorial comments: Canvas helps penetration testers to design and use third-party security products like DSquare, D2 exploitation pack, etc. However, its design can be a bit confusing to new users.

5. John the Ripper

Overview: John the Ripper, published in 2013 is among the most commonly used password cracking tools. It gathers many techniques to break or recover passwords in one package. 

Key features: The key features of John the Ripper include: 

• Brute force attacks: When using brute force to crack passwords, the tool goes through every possible password combination within a given set of parameters.
• Dictionary attacks: John the Ripper can also use dictionary attacks to uncover a password. It uses random words from the dictionary and tries them against the system.
• Break password encryption: The tool can access passwords that have been encrypted. 
• Operating system compatibility: John the Ripper can be used on multiple operating systems. Generally, it runs on Unix-based OS as well as macOS, Windows OS, and Kerberos OS.

USP: Out of the several penetration testing tools, John the Ripper is a specialized password cracking software that you can access for free. 

Pricing: John the Ripper pro version costs $39.95 without email support.

Editorial comments: With John the Ripper, users or organizations can test the strength of their current passwords. However, you cannot use this tool to test for network vulnerabilities apart from passwords. 

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6. Kali Linux

Overview: Kali Linux is a penetration testing tool developed by Offensive Security and is part of the overall Linux operating system package. 

Key features: The key features of Kali Linux include: 

• Detailed comprehensive reports: Kali Linux offers well-documented information for newbies and experts in the field, including tips and pointers. 
• Kali NetHunter: Kali NetHunter is a feature allowing Android phones to have a penetration testing app. It comprises an App, App Store, and Kali Container.
• Hardware component: Kali Linux does not have to be stored solely on the computer system. One can also use it directly from a USB storage device.
• Customization: Kali Linux allows users to create an optimized and personalized program version specific to their needs. This is important for security professionals.

USP: Kali Linux is not just a free penetration testing tool for experts. It is also accessible to visually impaired individuals with the new features.

Pricing: Kali Linux is a free resource automatically available on all Linux systems. 

Editorial comments: Kali Linux helps penetration testers to be equipped for offensive and defensive purposes. However, it is not an app designed for novices or everyday use. 

7. Metasploit

Overview: Metasploit is a penetration testing program created to find, exploit, and explore details about possible system vulnerabilities. It includes both the Metasploit pro and the Metasploit framework. 

Key features: The key features of Metasploit include: 

• Ease of use: Metasploit protects companies and small businesses from cyberattacks. With a simplified interface, both experts and novices can access the tool. 
• Vulnerability scanning: Metasploit allows the user to scan for weaknesses and vulnerabilities in the computer network through discovery scans. Users can also scan imported data.
• Customizable Metasploit architecture: Users can leverage the Metasploit framework to customize and develop security tools or write new exploit codes to fish out undetected vulnerabilities. 
• Operating system compatibility: Metasploit is compatible with Linux, macOS, and Windows computers with a minimum of 4GB RAM and 1GB storage.

USP: Metasploit comes pre-installed into the Kali Linux system and includes anti-forensic tools. 

Pricing: The Metasploit framework is free, while Metasploit Pro costs $15,000 annually.

Editorial comments: Metasploit helps penetration testers evaluate networks against new and existing weaknesses. However, it can be challenging to learn about its usage and may cause data loss if misused. 

8. SQLmap

Overview: SQLmap, founded by Daniele Bellucci in 2006, is an open-source penetration testing software used to find and exploit SQL injection flaws – i.e., when user input can alter the execution of the SQL query.

Key features: The key features of SQLmap include: 

• Password cracking: SQLmap can be used as a password cracking tool. It automatically recognizes password hash formats and uses a dictionary-based attack technique. 
• Database search: SQLmap can allow the user to search for specific information on a database system. Search can be for a database or particular columns across multiple databases.
• Command execution: SQLmap helps you remotely execute arbitrary instructions and gain access to the output if the database system is MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, etc.
• Database support: SQLmap can be entirely operated across numerous database platforms such as MySQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Access, SQLite, Firebird, etc.

USP: SQLmap is a unique penetration testing tool for database management systems (DBMS) that comes pre-installed on the Kali Linux

Pricing: SQLmap is a free, open-source product. 

Editorial comments: SQLmap helps penetration testers assess a database’s strength. However, it has a slightly high degree of false positives, which requires additional manual testing of reported vulnerabilities. 

9. W3af

Overview: W3af stands for Web Application Attack and Audit Framework. It is a web application security scanner that gives information about weaknesses in a web application and was developed in 2007. 

Key features: The key features of W3af include: 

• Vulnerability scanning: W3af scanner can search a web application for vulnerabilities. It also has two interfaces, the graphical user interface and the command line interface. 
• Detailed comprehensive reports: the output manager has several methods for writing output. The results can be sent by email or written to CSV, HTML, etc.
• Plugins: W3af comes with multiple plugins that carry out their functions and can communicate with each other. Examples include the audit, exploit, and discovery plugin. 
• Manual request generation: Manual request generation is a feature that acts like a man-in-the-middle proxy to facilitate manual web app testing. 

USP: W3af has a vast number of functionalities, and this is because it allows developers to extend it using several plugins. 

Pricing: W3af is a free, open-source tool available to the general public. 

Editorial comments: With W3af, users can find over 200 vulnerabilities in web applications. However, it has the disadvantage of generating false negative results occasionally, which can lead to overlooking weaknesses. 

10. Wireshark

Overview: Wireshark is one of the most popularly used network protocol analyzers. It is a cross-platform, open-source tool that allows users to microscopically view and troubleshoot their network.

Key features: The key features of Wireshark include: 

• Packet sniffing: Wireshark uses a packet sniffing and capture API to capture data packets. On UNIX/Linux, it is called libpcap, which stands for Promiscuous Library Capture.
• Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP): Wireshark can also capture voice over internet protocol data packets or calls made across the network, allowing the user access to the data. 
• Detailed comprehensive reports: Wireshark provides the result of tests carried out on a network in a format that any operator can easily understand. 
• Operating system compatibility: Wireshark can be used on operating systems such as Linux OS, macOS, Solaris, Windows OS, and other operating systems similar to UNIX. 

USP: This tool allows in-depth network traffic analysis and can read and write many different capture file formats.

Pricing: Wireshark is an open-source program that can be downloaded for free.

Editorial comments: Wireshark can help users to troubleshoot a network and test run the software by analyzing the contents of packets on the network. However, it does not exploit the vulnerabilities found.

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Takeaway 

Penetration testing is now essential to a typical enterprise’s cybersecurity posture. According to the 2021 Pen Testing Report by Core Security, 85% of companies pen-test at least once a year, and 99% feel that pen-testing tools are essential to their compliance initiatives. By investing in the right tools and software, enterprises can equip cybersecurity professionals with the latest innovations that are at pace with cutting-edge cyber attacks – so you can stay a step ahead of hackers and cybercriminals. 

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