Halcyon IDE alternatives

Looking for an alternative tool to replace Halcyon IDE? During the review of Halcyon IDE we looked at other open source tools. Based on their category, tags, and text, these are the ones that have the best match.

Top 3

  1. Bowcaster (exploit development framework)
  2. PEDA (Python Exploit Development Assistance for GDB)
  3. ShellPop (toolkit for popping shells)

These tools are ranked as the best alternatives to Halcyon IDE.

Alternatives (by score)

60

Bowcaster

Introduction

Bowcaster is a framework to create exploits. It is written in Python and comes with a set of tool and modules to help exploit development.

Project details

Bowcaster is written in Python.

Strengths and weaknesses

  • + The source code of this software is available
  • - No updates for a while

Typical usage

  • Exploit development
  • Penetration testing

Bowcaster review

64

PEDA

Introduction

PEDA is an extension for GDB (GNU DeBugger) to help with the development of exploit code. It can be used by reverse engineers and pentesters.

Project details

PEDA is written in Python.

Strengths and weaknesses

  • + More than 2000 GitHub stars
  • + The source code of this software is available

    Typical usage

    • Debugging
    • Exploit development
    • Reverse engineering

    PEDA review

    60

    ShellPop

    Introduction

    During a penetration test, you might have an opportunity to gain shell access to a system. This tool helps with crafting the required type of reverse or bind shell for the task. PopShell also helps with encoding, staging, or switching between different protocols.

    Project details

    ShellPop is written in Python.

    Strengths and weaknesses

    • + The source code of this software is available

      Typical usage

      • Penetration testing

      ShellPop review

      78

      radare2

      Introduction

      Radare2 is a popular framework to perform reverse engineering on many different file types. It can be used to analyze malware, firmware, or any other type of binary files. Besides reverse engineering, it can be used for forensics on filesystems and do data carving. Tasks can be scripted and support languages like JavaScript, Go, and Python. Even software exploitation is one of the functions it can be used in.

      Project details

      radare2 is written in C.

      Strengths and weaknesses

      • + More than 500 contributors
      • + More than 8000 GitHub stars
      • + Many releases available
      • + The source code of this software is available

        Typical usage

        • Digital forensics
        • Reverse engineering
        • Software exploitation
        • Troubleshooting

        radare2 review

        78

        Pocsuite

        Introduction

        Pocsuite is a remote vulnerability testing and development framework. It can be used by penetration testers and vulnerability researchers.

        Project details

        Pocsuite is written in Python.

        Strengths and weaknesses

        • + More than 10 contributors
        • + More than 1000 GitHub stars
        • + The source code of this software is available

          Typical usage

          • Vulnerability development
          • Vulnerability testing

          Pocsuite review

          64

          VScan

          Introduction

          Vscan is a security tool to perform vulnerability scanning with Nmap. It leverages NSE scripts to provide some flexibility in terms of vulnerability detection and exploitation.

          Project details

          VScan is written in shell script.

          Strengths and weaknesses

          • + The source code of this software is available

            Typical usage

            • Backdoor detection
            • Vulnerability scanning

            VScan review

            78

            vulscan

            Introduction

            Vulscan is a vulnerability scanner which uses the well-known Nmap tool. By enhancing it with offline data from VulDB, it allows for detecting vulnerabilities. The database itself based on information from multiple sources.

            Project details

            vulscan is written in Lua.

            Strengths and weaknesses

            • + The source code of this software is available
            • - No releases on GitHub available

            Typical usage

            • Penetration testing
            • Security assessment
            • Vulnerability scanning
            • Vulnerability testing

            vulscan review

            60

            APT2 (apt2)

            Introduction

            APT2 stands for Automated Penetration Testing Toolkit.

            APT2 performs a scan with Nmap or can import the results of a scan from Nexpose or Nessus. The processed results will be used in the second phase. This phase launches exploit and enumeration modules. It helps pentesters to automate assessments and tasks.

            Suggested components to have installed: convert, dirb, hydra, java, john, ldapsearch, msfconsole, nmap, nmblookup, phantomjs, responder, rpcclient, secretsdump.py, smbclient, snmpwalk, sslscan, xwd

            Project details

            APT2 is written in Python.

            Strengths and weaknesses

            • + The source code of this software is available

              Typical usage

              • Penetration testing
              • Security assessment

              APT2 review

              78

              Nmap

              Introduction

              Nmap is short for "Network Mapper". It is a free and open source utility for network discovery and security auditing. It was release in September of 1997 by Gordon Lyon, commonly known under his pseudonym "Fyodor".

              Project details

              Nmap is written in C, C++, Lua, Python.

              Strengths and weaknesses

              • + Project is mature (10+ years)
              • + The source code of this software is available
              • + Well-known author
              • + Well-known tool
              • - Software usage is restricted (e.g. commercially)

              Typical usage

              • Network scanning
              • Vulnerability scanning

              Nmap review

              74

              Seccubus

              Introduction

              Supported engines and tools:

              • Nessus
              • OpenVAS
              • Nmap
              • Nikto
              • Medusa
              • Qualys SSL labs
              • SkipFish
              • SSLyze
              • testssl.sh
              • ZAP

              Project details

              Some relevant tool missing as an alternative to Halcyon IDE? Please contact us with your suggestion.