Knock alternatives

Looking for an alternative tool to replace Knock? During the review of Knock 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. pyknock (port knocking tool)
  2. 0trace.py (reconnaissance and firewall bypass tool)
  3. 360-FAAR (firewall analysis tool)

These tools are ranked as the best alternatives to Knock.

Alternatives (by score)

60

pyknock

Introduction

Port knocking tools typically hide services from the outside world by requesting a 'secret'. This secret is like a special way of knocking on a door, to let others know you can be trusted. It does not replace a password or other method of authentication, yet adds another layer to it.

Project details

pyknock is written in Python.

Strengths and weaknesses

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

Typical usage

  • Network traffic filtering
  • System hardening

pyknock review

56

0trace.py

Introduction

This security tool enables the user to perform hop enumeration (similar to traceroute). Instead of sending actual packets, it uses an established TCP connection.

Project details

0trace.py is written in Python.

Strengths and weaknesses

  • + Project is mature (10+ years)
  • - Unknown project license

Typical usage

  • Bypassing firewall rules
  • Bypassing security measures
  • Reconnaissance

0trace.py review

63

360-FAAR

Introduction

360-FAAR is a tool written in Perl to parse policies and logs from firewalls. It can compare firewall policies and translate between a policy and log data. Supported firewalls include Checkpoint FW1, Cisco ASA, and Netscreen ScreenOS.

Project details

360-FAAR is written in Perl.

Strengths and weaknesses

  • + Project is mature (5+ years)
  • + The source code of this software is available

    Typical usage

    • Firewall auditing
    • Log analysis
    • Security assessment
    • Security reviews

    360-FAAR review

    60

    Assimilator

    Introduction

    A tool like Assimilator can be of great help to 'normalize' all firewall rules into one place. Especially when a company uses different firewalls, each with their own syntax and specifics. Assimilator will then simplify the way firewall rules are created and managed.

    Project details

    Assimilator is written in Python.

    Strengths and weaknesses

    • + The source code of this software is available

      Typical usage

      • Network traffic filtering

      Assimilator review

      60

      Chiron

      Introduction

      Chiron is a security assessment framework for IPv6. It provides several modules including an IPv6 scanner, IPv6 Local Link, IPv4-to-IPv6 proxy, IPv6 attack module, and IPv6 proxy. These modules help to perform an assessment, like a penetration test.

      The tool uses IPv6 extension headers to create a headers chain. This may allow evading security devices like IDS, IPS, and firewalls. Due to the flexibility of the framework, the tool can also be used to perform fuzzing of the IPv6 stack of a device.

      Project details

      Chiron is written in Python.

      Strengths and weaknesses

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

      Typical usage

      • Network analysis
      • Network scanning
      • Network security monitoring

      Chiron review

      64

      DFWFW (Docker Firewall Framework)

      Introduction

      DFWFW, short of Docker Firewall Framework, offers easy administration of the iptables rules of Docker containers. It updates using event streams.

      Project details

      DFWFW is written in Perl.

      Strengths and weaknesses

      • + The source code of this software is available
      • - Full name of author is unknown

      Typical usage

      • Firewall management

      DFWFW review

      81

      Douane

      Introduction

      Douane is an application firewall that blocks unknown or unwanted traffic. It provides a more fine-grained filtering as it looks at the combination of application and used network ports. This is useful when allowing common browse traffic on port 80 and 443. Instead of all applications being able to use this port, only the ones that are granted access will be able to do so. When a new connection is not trusted yet, Douane will ask to allow or deny the traffic stream.

      Project details

      Douane is written in C, C++, GTK+.

      Strengths and weaknesses

      • + The source code of this software is available

        Typical usage

        • Network traffic filtering

        Douane review

        56

        FireAway

        Introduction

        FireAway is a security tool to test the security of a firewall by trying to bypass its rules. It will use different methods to hide data or avoid detection by the firewall itself. This tool can be used for both defensive as offensive security.

        Project details

        FireAway is written in Python.

        Strengths and weaknesses

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

        Typical usage

        • Bypassing firewall rules
        • Firewall auditing
        • Network traffic filtering
        • Penetration testing

        FireAway review

        74

        FireHOL

        Introduction

        FireHOL is promoted as an iptables stateful packet filtering firewall for humans. It also comes with FireQOS, which a bandwidth shaper based on tc.

        Project details

        FireHOL is written in shell script.

        Strengths and weaknesses

        • + More than 500 GitHub stars
        • + The source code of this software is available

          Typical usage

          • Firewall management
          • Network traffic filtering

          FireHOL review

          56

          LPFW (LeoPard FloWer)

          Introduction

          LPFW is the abbreviation for LeoPard FloWer and is an application firewall for Linux.

          Project details

          LPFW is written in C++, Python.

          Strengths and weaknesses

          • + The source code of this software is available
          • - Unknown project license

          Typical usage

          • Network traffic filtering

          LPFW review

          96

          OpenSnitch

          Introduction

          OpenSnitch is a tool based on Little Snitch, a macOS application level firewall. All outgoing connections are monitored and the user is alerted when a new outgoing connection occurs. This allows the user to detect and block any unwanted connections.

          Project details

          OpenSnitch is written in Golang.

          Strengths and weaknesses

          • + More than 3000 GitHub stars
          • + The source code of this software is available
          • - No releases on GitHub available

          Typical usage

          • Network traffic filtering

          OpenSnitch review

          67

          iptables

          Introduction

          The iptables tool is the userspace command line program part of the netfilter project. Since Linux 2.4 it is the standard packet filtering engine. Among standard traffic filtering, it can be used for Network Address Translation (NAT).

          Project details

          iptables is written in C.

          Strengths and weaknesses

          • + The source code of this software is available
          • + Well-known tool

            Typical usage

            • Network traffic filtering

            iptables review

            67

            nftables

            Introduction

            nftables is supposed to replace netfilter as the primary interface of network filtering. It is available since Linux kernel 3.13. Both netfilter and nftables have been co-authored by Patrick McHardy.

            Project details

            nftables is written in C.

            Strengths and weaknesses

            • + The source code of this software is available

              Typical usage

              • Network traffic filtering

              nftables review

              60

              opensvp

              Introduction

              Tools like opensvp can be used to test the strength of a configuration from the outside. It makes it a good tool for penetration testing and security assessments. While people may feel safe to have a firewall in place, it might be unknowingly vulnerable to several attacks on protocol level. This tool helps with finding these weaknesses.

              Project details

              opensvp is written in Python.

              Strengths and weaknesses

              • + The source code of this software is available

                Typical usage

                • Application testing
                • Defense testing
                • Penetration testing
                • Security assessment

                opensvp review

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