ssh-audit alternatives

Looking for an alternative tool to replace ssh-audit? During the review of ssh-audit 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. SSHsec (SSH configuration scanner)
  2. ssh_scan (SSH configuration and policy scanner)
  3. Lynis (security scanner and compliance auditing tool)

These tools are ranked as the best alternatives to ssh-audit.

Alternatives (by score)

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_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

      100

      Lynis

      Introduction

      Lynis is an open-source security auditing tool that is available since 2007 and created by Michael Boelen. Its primary goal is to evaluate the security defenses of systems running Linux or other flavors of Unix. It provides suggestions to install, configure, or correct any security measures.

      Project details

      Lynis is written in shell script.

      Strengths and weaknesses

      • + The source code is easy to read and understand
      • + More than 100 contributors
      • + More than 8000 GitHub stars
      • + Tool is easy to use
      • + Available as package (simplified installation)
      • + Commercial support available
      • + Used language is shell script
      • + Very low number of dependencies
      • + Project is mature (10+ years)
      • + The source code of this software is available

        Typical usage

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

        Lynis 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

          74

          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

              74

              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

              known_hosts_bruteforcer 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

              60

              SSH MITM

              Introduction

              This tool would most likely be used to intercept traffic during security assessments. Plaintext passwords and session data can be intercepted with it.

              Project details

              SSH MITM is written in Python.

              Strengths and weaknesses

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

                Typical usage

                • Password discovery
                • Security assessment
                • Session hijacking

                SSH MITM review

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