OpenSSH alternatives
Looking for an alternative tool to replace OpenSSH? During the review of OpenSSH we looked at other open source tools. Based on their category, tags, and text, these are the ones that have the best match.
Alternatives (by score)
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
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
Fail2ban
Introduction
Fail2Ban is an intrusion prevention software framework that protects computer servers from brute-force attacksProject 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
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
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
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
known_hosts_bruteforcer
Introduction
This utility is useful when you obtained a known_hosts file, but can't decipher the hashed hostnames from it.
Project details
known_hosts_bruteforcer is written in Perl.
Strengths and weaknesses
- + The source code of this software is available
- - No updates for a while
Typical usage
- Digital forensics
- Penetration testing
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_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
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
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
Some relevant tool missing as an alternative to OpenSSH? Please contact us with your suggestion.