PTF alternatives
Looking for an alternative tool to replace PTF? During the review of PTF 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
- fsociety (penetration testing framework)
- Exploit Pack (penetration testing framework)
- Social-Engineer Toolkit (social engineering toolkit)
These tools are ranked as the best alternatives to PTF.
Alternatives (by score)
fsociety
Introduction
The fsociety toolkit is a penetration framework containing other security tools. The project states that is includes all the tools that are used in the Mr. Robot tv series.Project details
fsociety is written in Python.
Strengths and weaknesses
- + More than 10 contributors
- + More than 2000 GitHub stars
- + The source code of this software is available
- - Full name of author is unknown
Typical usage
- Penetration testing
- Security assessment
Exploit Pack
Introduction
Penetration testing has a lot of repeating tasks, especially when doing similar assignments for clients. For this reason, tools like Exploit Pack help with automating repeating activities. This framework contains over 38.000 exploits, probably much more than one might ever need.
Project details
Exploit Pack is written in Java, Python.
Strengths and weaknesses
- + Project is mature (10+ years)
- + The source code of this software is available
- - No releases on GitHub available
Typical usage
- Penetration testing
CMSeeK
Introduction
CMSeeK is a security scanner for content management systems (CMS). It can perform a wide range of functions starting from the detection of the CMS, up to vulnerability scanning. The tool claims to support over 100 different CMS tools, with extensive support for the commonly used ones like Drupal, Joomla, and WordPress.
The scans performed by CMSeeK include version detection. It can also do enumeration of users, plugins, and themes. This might be useful to see what users or components are available. The tool includes admin page discovery, file discovery, and directory listing. Anything that might be useful to a penetration test or security assessment, might be displayed.
Project details
CMSeeK is written in Python.
Strengths and weaknesses
- + The source code of this software is available
- - Full name of author is unknown
Typical usage
- Penetration testing
- Software exploitation
- Software identification
- Vulnerability scanning
Pacman
Introduction
Pacman is the default package manager for Arch Linux. The main differences with other package managers include the focus on a binary package format and the underlying build system for software. Its goal is to keep the system up-to-date, especially as Arch Linux is considered to be a 'rolling release'. By using a server/client model it synchronizes package lists and allows the user to install the latest available packages.
Project details
Pacman is written in C.
Strengths and weaknesses
- + Project is mature (10+ years)
- + The source code of this software is available
arch-audit
Introduction
Arch-audit is a small utility that scans the system for known vulnerabilities on Arch Linux. It can be used by users of the Linux distribution to know when to update and what packages have weaknesses. With Arch Linux being a rolling distribution, this may improve the interval or timing of software patching.
Project details
arch-audit is written in Rust.
Strengths and weaknesses
- + The source code of this software is available
Typical usage
- Software management
- Vulnerability scanning
Gitrob
Introduction
Especially open source developers may share their code in a public repository like GitHub. This is a great way to collaborate between the developer(s) and the community. The risk of sharing code is that sensitive data is part of the repository and uploaded by accident. GitRob helps to detect this kind of accidental leaks.
Project details
Gitrob is written in Ruby.
Strengths and weaknesses
- + More than 1000 GitHub stars
- + The source code of this software is available
Typical usage
- Data leak prevention
- Information gathering
- Penetration testing
- Security assessment
ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy)
Introduction
ZAP is an intercepting proxy of web traffic. You will need to configure your browser to connect to the web application you wish to test through ZAP.
Note: Zed Attack Proxy, or ZAP, is also known as zaproxy.
Project details
ZAP is written in Java.
Strengths and weaknesses
- + More than 50 contributors
- + More than 8000 GitHub stars
- + Many maintainers
- + The source code of this software is available
- - Many reported issues are still open
Typical usage
- Penetration testing
- Security assessment
- Software testing
- Web application analysis
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
BeEF
Introduction
BeEF is used by penetration testers to assess the security of a system by leveraging the web browser. This makes the tool different to many other tools, as it ignores the security on network or system level. It uses command modules from within the web browser to perform requested attacks against the system.
Project details
Faraday
Introduction
Faraday helps teams to collaborate when working on penetration tests or vulnerability management. It stores related security information in one place, which can be easily tracked and tested by other colleagues.
Project details
Faraday is written in Python.
Strengths and weaknesses
- + Commercial support available
- + More than 1000 GitHub stars
- + The source code of this software is available
Typical usage
- Collaboration
- Penetration testing
- Security assessment
- Vulnerability scanning
InstaRecon
Introduction
InstaRecon is a security tool that can help with the reconnaissance phase of a penetration test. It can collect a number of data points with limited input.Project details
InstaRecon is written in Python.
Strengths and weaknesses
- + The source code of this software is available
Typical usage
- Penetration testing
- Reconnaissance
Metasploit Framework
Introduction
Metasploit is a framework that consists of tools to perform security assignments. It focuses on the offensive side of security and leverages exploit modules.Project details
Metasploit Framework is written in Ruby.
Strengths and weaknesses
- + More than 400 contributors
- + More than 9000 stars
- + Many maintainers
- + The source code of this software is available
- + Supported by a large company
- + Well-known tool
Typical usage
- Penetration testing
- Security assessment
- Vulnerability scanning
OWTF (Offensive Web Testing Framework)
Introduction
OWTF is short for Offensive Web Testing Framework and it is one of the many OWASP projects to improve security.
Project details
OWTF is written in Python.
Strengths and weaknesses
- + More than 25 contributors
- + More than 500 GitHub stars
- + The source code of this software is available
Typical usage
- Penetration testing
- Security assessment
SearchSploit
Introduction
SearchSploit is a small by OffensiveSecurity to search for exploits and related data in the exploit database (Exploit-DB). This may help penetration testers in their security assignments.
Project details
SearchSploit is written in shell script.
Strengths and weaknesses
- + The source code is easy to read and understand
- + Tool is easy to use
- + Used language is shell script
- - Full name of author is unknown
Typical usage
- Information gathering
- Penetration testing
- Service exploitation
- System exploitation
- Vulnerability testing
Sn1per
Introduction
Sn1per is security scanner that can be used during a penetration test to enumerate and scan for vulnerabilities.Project details
Sn1per is written in Python, shell script.
Strengths and weaknesses
- + More than 10 contributors
- + More than 1000 GitHub stars
- + The source code of this software is available
- - Unknown project license
Typical usage
- Penetration testing
- Reconnaissance
TheDoc
Introduction
TheDoc is a tool written in shell-script to automate the usage of sqlmap. It comes with a built-in admin finder and hash cracker, using the Hashcat tool.Project details
TheDoc is written in shell script.
Strengths and weaknesses
- + Used language is shell script
- + Very low number of dependencies
- + The source code of this software is available
- - Full name of author is unknown
- - Unknown project license
Typical usage
- Penetration testing
WarBerryPi
Introduction
WarBerryPi is a toolkit to provide a hardware implant during Physical penetration testing or red teaming. The primary goal of the tool is to obtain as much information as possible, in a short period of time. The secondary goal is to be stealthy to avoid detection. As the name implies, the tool can be used on a small device like a RaspberryPi.
Another use-case of WarBerryPi is to be an entry point to the network. In that case, a 3G connection is suggested, to avoid the outgoing network filtering (egress rules).
Project details
WarBerryPi is written in Python.
Strengths and weaknesses
- + More than 2000 GitHub stars
- + The source code of this software is available
- - Minimal or no documentation available
- - No releases on GitHub available
Typical usage
- Information gathering
- Information snooping
- Penetration testing
- Red teaming
domain
Introduction
Domain is a Python script written by Jason Haddix to combine the tools Recon-ng and altdns. It allows to use the two tool one multiple domains within the same session.
Project details
domain is written in Python.
Strengths and weaknesses
- + More than 500 GitHub stars
- + The source code of this software is available
- - Unknown project license
Typical usage
- Subdomain enumeration
p0f
Introduction
This tool is a great addition to nmap, especially if that reveals not reliable data or none at all. Due to the passive way of working, it won't be detected nor influences any connection.
- Version 3 of p0f is a full rewrite
- The idea for p0f dates back to June 10, 2000
- Tool can run in foreground or as a daemon process
Common uses for p0f include reconnaissance during penetration tests; routine network monitoring; detection of unauthorized network interconnects in corporate environments; providing signals for abuse-prevention tools; and miscellaneous forensics.
Project details
Strengths and weaknesses
- + Project is mature (10+ years)
- + The source code of this software is available
- + Well-known tool
Some relevant tool missing as an alternative to PTF? Please contact us with your suggestion.
Social-Engineer Toolkit (SET)
Introduction
The Social-Engineer Toolkit (SET) is an open source penetration testing framework. SET is written in Python and helps with assignments that require social engineering. The toolkit has been presented at large-scale conferences like Black Hat and DEF CON and covered in several books. This publicity definitely helped to make it more familiar in the information security community.
Project details
Social-Engineer Toolkit is written in Python.
Strengths and weaknesses
Typical usage
Social-Engineer Toolkit review