known_hosts_bruteforcer alternatives

Looking for an alternative tool to replace known_hosts_bruteforcer? During the review of known_hosts_bruteforcer 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. Crowbar (brute forcing tool)
  2. Cowrie (SSH/telnet honeypot)
  3. Dockpot (SSH honeypot based on Docker)

These tools are ranked as the best alternatives to known_hosts_bruteforcer.

Alternatives (by score)

60

Crowbar

Introduction

While most brute forcing tools take a similar approach, Crowbar can use different methods that are not always available in other utilities. For example, Crowbar can use SSH keys, instead of the typical username and password combination. This might be useful during penetration testing when these type of details are discovered.

Project details

Crowbar is written in Python.

Strengths and weaknesses

  • + The source code of this software is available

    Typical usage

    • Penetration testing

    Crowbar review

    70

    Cowrie

    Introduction

    Cowrie is a honeypot to emulate SSH and telnet services. It can be used to learn attack methods and as an additional layer for security monitoring.

    Project details

    Cowrie is written in Python.

    Strengths and weaknesses

    • + More than 50 contributors
    • + More than 1000 GitHub stars

      Typical usage

      • Information gathering
      • Learning
      • Security monitoring
      • Threat discovery

      Cowrie review

      56

      Dockpot

      Introduction

      Using an SSH honeypot is a good way to learn about common attacks on the SSH service. It can provide insights on the number of scans and probes on the network.

      Project details

      Dockpot is written in Python.

      Strengths and weaknesses

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

      Typical usage

      • Learning
      • Threat discovery

      Dockpot review

      96

      Fail2ban

      Introduction

      Fail2Ban is an intrusion prevention software framework that protects computer servers from brute-force attacks

      Project details

      Fail2ban is written in Python.

      Strengths and weaknesses

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

        Typical usage

        • Network traffic filtering
        • Security monitoring

        Fail2ban review

        64

        HonSSH

        Introduction

        HonSSH is a high-interaction SSH honeypot to collect information about attackers that target the SSH service.

        Project details

        HonSSH is written in Python.

        Strengths and weaknesses

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

        Typical usage

        • Learning
        • Threat discovery

        HonSSH review

        63

        Kojoney

        Introduction

        Kojoney is a mix of the Spanish word cojon (s/c/k/) and honey.

        Project details

        67

        OpenSSH

        Introduction

        OpenSSH is a much-used connectivity tool for remote administration of Linux systems. It uses the SSH protocol and encrypts all traffic to eliminate eavesdropping, connection hijacking, and other related attacks.

        Project details

        60

        SSH Honeypot

        Introduction

        SSH Honeypot is as the name implies a honeypot to emulate the SSH service. It can be used to learn about threats and commands used by attackers.

        Project details

        SSH Honeypot is written in C.

        Strengths and weaknesses

        • + The source code of this software is available

          Typical usage

          • Learning
          • Threat discovery

          SSH Honeypot review

          60

          SSHsec

          Introduction

          SSHsec scans a system running the SSH protocol and retrieves its configuration, host keys, and Diffie-Hellman groups.

          Project details

          SSHsec is written in Python.

          Strengths and weaknesses

          • + The source code of this software is available

            Typical usage

            • Information gathering
            • Penetration testing
            • Security assessment

            SSHsec review

            60

            ssh-audit

            Introduction

            The ssh-audit tool is of great help when scanning SSH servers to discover possible improvements. It is written in Python and with a simple 'git clone' it can already be started. You typically would use a tool like this to improve your own SSH configurations or as part of a security assignment.

            Project details

            ssh-audit is written in Python.

            Strengths and weaknesses

            • + The source code is easy to read and understand
            • + Tool is easy to use
            • + More than 2000 GitHub stars
            • + Very low number of dependencies
            • + The source code of this software is available

              Typical usage

              • Application security
              • Penetration testing
              • Security assessment

              ssh-audit review

              60

              ssh_scan

              Introduction

              This tool is light on its dependencies, as it only uses Ruby and BinData. The scanner is simple to use, as it is limited in the number of parameters and options. There is also the ability to show the results on the screen or export the data to a JSON file. The latter is great if you want to do further processing of the details, or simply store them for later comparison.

              Project details

              ssh_scan is written in Ruby.

              Strengths and weaknesses

              • + More than 10 contributors
              • + Many releases available
              • + The source code of this software is available
              • + Supported by a large company

                Typical usage

                • Penetration testing
                • Security assessment
                • System hardening
                • Vulnerability scanning

                ssh_scan review

                52

                sshttp

                Introduction

                This tool allows you to run a web server and SSH daemon on the same TCP port. It can be useful to bypass some firewall restrictions.

                Project details

                sshttp is written in C++.

                Strengths and weaknesses

                • + Project is mature (5+ years)
                • - Unknown project license

                Typical usage

                • Bypassing firewall rules
                • Protocol multiplexing

                sshttp review

                70

                sslh

                Introduction

                A typical use case for multiplexing is to allow serving several services on one port. Port 443 is commonly used, as that is typically opened on firewalls to allow HTTPS traffic. By multiplexing it, you can also use SSH or other services on the same port.

                Project details

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