Top VAPT tools for security experts in 2024 

As a security expert, you know the importance of vulnerability assessment and penetration testing (VAPT). VAPT helps you identify and fix security vulnerabilities in your systems before they can be exploited by attackers. 

But with so many VAPT tools on the market, it can be difficult to know which ones are the best. That is why I have compiled this list of the top 14 VAPT tools for security experts in 2024. 

These tools are all designed to help you perform comprehensive and effective VAPT testing. They cover a wide range of vulnerabilities, including network vulnerabilities, application vulnerabilities, and infrastructure vulnerabilities. 

They also offer a variety of features to help you automate tasks, generate reports, and collaborate with other team members. 

Whether you are a seasoned VAPT expert or just starting out, this list has the tools you need to keep your systems secure. 

Here is a list of the top VAPT tools for security experts in 2024:

1. Metasploit

Metasploit is a penetration testing framework that can help you identify and exploit vulnerabilities in your systems and applications. It is a tool that can be used to improve your security posture and protect your organization from cyber threats. 

But Metasploit is more than just a tool.  

With Metasploit you can: 

• Become a white hat hacker. Use Metasploit to ethically hack your own systems and networks to identify and fix vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by attackers. 
• Be prepared for the worst. Use Metasploit to simulate attacks on your systems and networks so you can test your incident response plan and make sure you are ready to handle anything. 
• Impress your boss. Show your boss that you are a cybersecurity expert by using Metasploit to improve the security of your organization. 

So, what are you waiting for? Start your journey to becoming a cybersecurity expert today with Metasploit!

2. Nessus

You are a security expert, and you know that vulnerabilities are a constant threat to your organization. But with so many VAPT tools on the market, it can be hard to know which one is right for you. 

That is where Nessus comes in. 

Nessus is a VAPT tool that can help you identify and fix vulnerabilities in your systems and networks before they can be exploited by attackers. 

With Nessus, you can: 

• Identify and fix vulnerable systems and applications: Nessus can help you identify systems and applications that are vulnerable to known attacks. Once you know where the vulnerabilities are, you can patch them or implement other security measures to mitigate the risk. 
• Assess compliance with security standards: Nessus can help you assess your compliance with security standards, such as PCI DSS and HIPAA. This can help you identify any gaps in your security posture and take steps to fix them. 
• Conduct penetration tests: Nessus can help you conduct penetration tests to identify exploitable vulnerabilities in your systems and networks. This can help you identify and fix vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors. 

Nessus is the perfect VAPT tool for security experts of all skill levels. It is easy to use, yet powerful enough to identify even the most complex vulnerabilities.

3. Burp Suite

You know that vulnerabilities exist in your web applications, but you do not know where they are or how to fix them. 

Burp Suite is a VAPT tool that can help you find and fix vulnerabilities before they are exploited. It provides a variety of tools, including a web proxy, web application scanner, and fuzzer, to help you thoroughly test your web applications for vulnerabilities. Burp Suite is available in both free and commercial versions. 

Burp Suite is also highly customizable, allowing you to create your own plugins and scripts to extend the functionality of the tool. 

Here are some specific ways that you can use Burp Suite to improve the security of your web applications: 

• Identify and exploit vulnerabilities in web applications: Use the web proxy, web application scanner, and fuzzer tools to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in your web applications. This will help you to understand how attackers could exploit these vulnerabilities and take steps to mitigate the risk. 

• Test the security of web applications: Simulate attacks on your web applications using Burp Suite to identify any vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious actors. 
• Develop exploit proofs-of-concept: Use Burp Suite to develop exploit proofs-of-concept (PoCs) to demonstrate that a vulnerability can be exploited. This information can be used to develop patches and security measures to mitigate the risks associated with the vulnerability. 

By using Burp Suite, you can improve the security of your web applications and protect your organization from cyber threats.

4. Wireshark

With Wireshark, you can capture and analyze network traffic in real time. This allows you to see what is happening on your networks at any given moment and to identify malicious activity, troubleshoot network problems, and identify vulnerable network protocols and applications. 

Here are some specific examples of how you can use Wireshark to improve the security of your networks: 

• Identify vulnerable network protocols and applications: Use Wireshark to capture and inspect network traffic for known vulnerabilities. This information can then be used to patch the vulnerabilities or to implement other security measures. 
• Investigate malicious activity: Capture and analyze network traffic to identify the source of malicious activity and to develop mitigation strategies. 
• Troubleshoot network problems: Capture and analyze network traffic to identify the root cause of network problems and to develop solutions. 

Wireshark is a powerful tool that can help you to improve the security posture of your organization and protect it from cyber threats. If you are serious about network security, Wireshark is a must-have tool.

5. Aircrack-ng

With Aircrack-ng, you can crack WEP and WPA/WPA2 passwords on a variety of devices, including wireless routers, access points, and client devices. This allows you to identify vulnerable wireless networks and assess the security of your organization’s wireless networks. 

Aircrack-ng also supports the use of graphics processing units (GPUs) to accelerate the cracking process. This means that you can crack passwords much faster than you could using a CPU alone. 

Here are some specific examples of how you can use Aircrack-ng to improve the security of your organization’s wireless networks: 

• Identify vulnerable wireless networks: Use Aircrack-ng to scan for wireless networks that are using WEP or WPA/WPA2 encryption with weak passwords. Once you have identified these networks, you can take steps to mitigate the risk, such as changing the passwords or disabling the vulnerable encryption protocols. 
• Assess the security of wireless networks: Attempt to crack the passwords of your organization’s wireless networks using Aircrack-ng. If you can crack any of the passwords, this indicates that your wireless networks are vulnerable and need to be made more secure. 
• Develop exploit proofs-of-concept: Use Aircrack-ng to develop exploit proofs-of-concept (PoCs) to demonstrate that your organization’s wireless networks are vulnerable to password cracking attacks. This information can be used to develop patches and security measures to mitigate the risks associated with the vulnerabilities. 

 6. Nmap

Let us say you are launching a new web application. You want to make sure it is secure before you deploy it to production. You can use Nmap to scan the application for open ports and vulnerabilities. If you find any vulnerabilities, you can fix them before the application is launched. 

Nmap is a free and open-source network mapper and port scanner that you can use to discover hosts, services, and vulnerabilities on a network. It is a tool that can be used for a variety of VAPT testing tasks, including: 

• Network discovery: Nmap can help you find all the devices on your network, even if they are hidden behind firewalls or NAT devices. 
• Service enumeration: Nmap can identify the services that are running on each device on your network. This information can help you to identify unauthorized services or services that are outdated and vulnerable. 
• Port scanning: Nmap can scan ports for open ports and vulnerabilities. This information can be used to prioritize remediation efforts and improve the overall security of your network. 
• Vulnerability assessment: Nmap can identify known vulnerabilities on hosts and services. This information can be used to fix vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by attackers. 
• Penetration testing: Nmap can be used to simulate real-world attacks and identify security weaknesses in your network. This information can be used to improve the security posture of your network and make it more resilient to cyberattacks. 

7. Nikto

Nikto is one of the most popular VAPT tools for scanning web servers for security vulnerabilities such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and outdated software. 

To use Nikto, simply install it on your system and point it at the web server you want to scan. Nikto will then scan the server for vulnerabilities and generate a report that lists the vulnerabilities it found. 

You can use the Nikto report to prioritize remediation efforts and fix any vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by attackers. 

Here are some examples of how you can use Nikto for VAPT testing: 

• You can use Nikto to scan your organization’s web servers for vulnerabilities on a regular basis. This will help you to identify and fix vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by attackers. 
• Nikto can be used to scan the web servers of new vendors before you start working with them. This will help you to assess the security of their web servers and identify any potential risks. 
• You can use Nikto to scan the web servers of your competitors. This can help you to identify any security weaknesses that they may have that you can exploit. 

8. SQL Map

You know that SQL injection is one of the most common and dangerous web application vulnerabilities, and you need to make sure that your database is safe. 

One of the best ways to do this is to use VAPT tools such as SQL Map. SQL Map is a tool that can automate the process of detecting and exploiting SQL injection vulnerabilities. This means that you can use SQL Map to scan your web application for vulnerabilities, and then fix them before an attacker can exploit them. 

SQL Map is a great tool for VAPT testing because it is easy to use and very effective. It is also open source, so it is free to use. 

To use SQL Map, simply point it at the web application that you want to scan. SQL Map will then send a variety of SQL injection attacks against the web application and monitor the responses for signs of vulnerability. If a vulnerability is detected, SQL Map will attempt to exploit it to gain access to the database. 

SQL Map can also be used to extract data from databases. This can be useful for security professionals who are trying to understand the scope of a SQL injection attack. 

If you are a security professional who is serious about protecting your company’s database from SQL injection attacks, then you need to use VAPT tools such as SQL Map. SQL Map is a powerful and easy-to-use tool that can help you to detect and fix SQL injection vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by attackers. 

Interesting fact: 

SQL Map has been used to exploit SQL injection vulnerabilities in some of the world’s largest websites, including Google, Facebook, and Twitter. This shows just how powerful and dangerous SQL injection vulnerabilities can be. 

By using SQL Map, you can help to protect your company’s database from SQL injection attacks and keep your sensitive data safe. 

9. OpenVAS

You know that there are many different types of attacks that could potentially compromise your network, and you need to be prepared for all of them. 

One of the best ways to do this is to use VAPT tools such as OpenVAS. OpenVAS is a tool that can be used to scan your network for vulnerabilities. Once you know where the vulnerabilities are, you can fix them before an attacker can exploit them. 

OpenVAS is a great tool for VAPT testing because it is easy to use and highly effective. It is also open source, so it is free to use. 

To use OpenVAS, simply point it at the network that you want to scan. OpenVAS will then send a variety of attacks against the network and monitor the responses for signs of vulnerability. If a vulnerability is detected, OpenVAS will attempt to exploit it to gain access to the network. 

OpenVAS can also be used to extract data from networks. This can be useful for security professionals who are trying to understand the scope of a network attack. 

If you are a security professional who is serious about protecting your company’s network from attack, then you need to use VAPT tools such as OpenVAS.

OpenVAS has been used to discover vulnerabilities in some of the world’s largest networks, including the US Department of Defence and the UK National Health Service. This shows just how powerful and dangerous network vulnerabilities can be. 

10. App Scan

As a security professional, you know that web application security is essential for protecting your company’s data and assets. Web applications are a prime target for attackers, and a single vulnerability can be exploited to gain access to sensitive data, disrupt operations, or even steal money. 

That is why you use VAPT tools like App Scan to scan your web applications for vulnerabilities. App Scan is a powerful tool that can detect a wide range of vulnerabilities, including SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and broken authentication. 

Once App Scan has identified a vulnerability, you can use the detailed report it provides to quickly understand and fix the issue. This helps you to keep your web applications secure and prevent attacks. 

One example of how you have use App Scan to protect your company is as follows: 

You recently used App Scan to scan a new web application that your team was developing. App Scan identified a number of vulnerabilities, including a SQL injection vulnerability in the login form. 

You immediately fixed the vulnerability by adding input validation to the login form. This prevented attackers from entering malicious code into the form and exploiting the vulnerability. 

By using App Scan, you were able to identify and fix a critical security vulnerability in your web application before it could be exploited by an attacker. This helped to protect your company’s data and prevent a potentially serious security breach. 

11. Cobalt Strike

Cobalt Strike is a commercial VAPT tool that is used by experienced security professionals to conduct realistic penetration tests. It includes a variety of features that can be used to simulate a wide range of attacks, including phishing attacks, watering hole attacks, and zero-day attacks. 

Once Cobalt Strike has gained access to a network, it can be used to perform a variety of post-exploitation activities, such as lateral movement, data exfiltration, and command and control. This allows the security professional to fully understand the extent of the compromise and to identify any additional vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers. 

Here is an example of how you could use Cobalt Strike to perform a penetration test: 

1. You send a phishing email to a member of the target organization. The email contains a malicious link that, when clicked, infects the victim’s computer with Cobalt Strike. 
2. Once Cobalt Strike has infected the victim’s computer, you use it to move laterally through the target organization’s network and gain access to additional systems. 
3. You use Cobalt Strike to exfiltrate sensitive data from the compromised systems. 
4. You use Cobalt Strike to establish a command-and-control channel with the compromised systems, allowing you to remotely control them. 

 Here are some tips for using Cobalt Strike safely: 

• Only use Cobalt Strike in a controlled environment. 
• Use a dedicated network for Cobalt Strike testing. 
• Isolate the Cobalt Strike network from the production network. 
• Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication for all Cobalt Strike accounts. 
• Keep Cobalt Strike up to date with the latest security patches. 

Cobalt Strike is a valuable tool for security professionals, but it is important to use it safely and responsibly. 

12. Fiddler

As an individual who cares about web application security, you know that it is essential to protect your company’s data and assets. Web applications are a prime target for attackers, and a single vulnerability can be exploited to gain access to sensitive data, disrupt operations, or even steal money. 

That is why you use VAPT tools like Fiddler is a web debugging proxy that can be used to intercept and modify HTTP requests and responses. It is a popular choice for security professionals because it is easy to use and provides a variety of features, such as session replay, traffic logging, and performance analysis. Once Fiddler has identified a vulnerability, you can use the detailed report it provides to quickly understand and fix the issue. This helps you to keep your web applications secure and prevent attacks. 

Here is an example of how you could use Fiddler to identify a SQL injection vulnerability: 

1. You open Fiddler and start capturing HTTP traffic. 
2. You visit a web application that you are testing and log in. 
3. You inspect the HTTP requests and responses for SQL injection attacks. 
4. You notice that one of the requests contains a single quote (‘). 
5. You modify the request to contain a double quote (“) and send it to the web application. 
6. The web application returns an error message, indicating that a SQL injection attack has been detected. 

You have now identified a SQL injection vulnerability in the web application. You can now fix the vulnerability to prevent it from being exploited by attackers. 

13. Hping3

With Hping3 at your side, you can craft and send TCP, UDP, and ICMP packets with ease, identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities in networks and applications like a pro. 

VAPT tools like Hping3 are used to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in networks and applications. This helps organizations to understand their security posture and to fix vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by attackers. 

Once Hping3 has identified a vulnerability, you can use the detailed report it provides to quickly understand and fix the issue. This helps you to keep your networks and applications secure and prevent attacks. 

Here are some examples of how Hping3 can be used for VAPT testing: 

• Identifying open ports: Hping3 can be used to scan a network for open ports. This information can then be used to identify potential vulnerabilities in the network. For example, if Port 22 is open, it means that the network is using SSH. SSH is a secure protocol, but it can be vulnerable to attack if it is not configured correctly. 
• Exploiting buffer overflow vulnerabilities: Hping3 can be used to exploit buffer overflow vulnerabilities in network services. A buffer overflow vulnerability is a type of vulnerability that occurs when a program writes more data to a buffer than the buffer can hold. This can cause the program to crash or to execute arbitrary code. 
• Testing the resilience of networks and applications to DoS (Denial of service) attacks: Hping3 can be used to launch DoS attacks against networks and applications. This can be useful for stress testing networks and applications to see how they respond under load. For example, Hping3 can be used to send a large number of SYN packets to a web server to see if the server can handle the load. 

14. Hydra

As a security professional, you know that passwords are one of the weakest links in the security chain. A weak password can give attackers easy access to your networks and applications, even if they do not have any other vulnerabilities to exploit. 

That is why you use VAPT tools like Hydra to crack password hashes. Hydra is a tool that can crack a wide variety of password hashes, including MD5, SHA1, and LM hashes. 

Hydra can be used for a variety of purposes, including: 

• Testing the strength of your organization’s password policies: Hydra can be used to see how long it takes to crack a list of common passwords. This information can be used to improve your password policies and make it more difficult for attackers to crack your users’ passwords. 
• Identifying weak passwords on your network: Hydra can be used to attempt to log in to all the systems on your network with a list of common passwords. If Hydra can successfully log in to a system with a common password, then the user of that system is using a weak password. 
• Cracking password hashes that have been stolen from a data breach: If your organization has suffered a data breach and the password hashes of your users have been stolen, Hydra can be used to crack those password hashes. This information can be used to notify affected users and help them to reset their passwords. 

Hydra is a powerful tool that can help you to improve the security of your organization by identifying and exploiting weak passwords. It is an essential tool for any security professional who is serious about protecting their organization’s data and assets from attack. 

Here is a scenario of how you could use Hydra to protect your organization from a data breach: 

You have received a notification that your organization has suffered a data breach and the password hashes of your users have been stolen. You are concerned that attackers could use these password hashes to gain access to your organization’s networks and applications. 

You decide to use Hydra to crack the password hashes. You download Hydra and install it on a server. You then create a dictionary of common passwords and use Hydra to attempt to crack the password hashes. 

Hydra can crack a large number of the password hashes. You then compile a list of the users whose password hashes were cracked and send them an email notification. The email notification instructs the users to reset their passwords immediately. 

By using Hydra to crack the password hashes, you were able to identify and notify the affected users before attackers could use the password hashes to gain access to your organization’s networks and applications. This helped to prevent a potential security breach. 

Conclusion 

These tools can help you identify and fix vulnerabilities in your systems and networks and stay ahead of the latest cyber threats. 

However, having the right tools is not enough. You also need to know how to use them effectively. That is why it is important to keep your skills up-to-date and get certified in VAPT. There are many different certifications available, such as the Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) and the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH). 

Once you have the right tools and the necessary skills, you can start using VAPT to improve the security of your organization. Here are a few tips: 

Start with a clear plan. Before you start testing, it is important to have a clear plan in place. This includes identifying the assets you want to test, the scope of the testing, and the tools and techniques you will use. 

Be thorough. Do not just test the obvious vulnerabilities. Take the time to explore all aspects of your systems and networks. 

Be creative. Attackers are constantly developing new ways to exploit vulnerabilities. Be creative in your testing and try to think like an attacker. 

Remediate vulnerabilities promptly. Once you have identified a vulnerability, it is important to remediate it promptly. This will help to reduce the risk of exploitation. 

For more information, please visit Matrix3D or reach out to us at connect@matrix3d.com.