Red Team Tools: 24 Must-Haves for Successful Penetration Testing

Red teams are vital in identifying vulnerabilities and strengthening an organization’s defenses in the high-stakes world of cybersecurity. But what differentiates a successful red team engagement from one that’s mediocre? The answer is in the tools of the trade.

Would you want to discover unnoticed weaknesses, take advantage of unknown vulnerabilities, and traverse complicated networks without being seen? This is not the stuff of science fiction — this is the reality of skilled red team professionals with the right tools. From network reconnaissance to post-exploitation, a well-deployed arsenal can make the difference between a compromise and a gold-plated defense.

With so many tools available at your fingertips, which ones are you using? Let’s show you 24 must-have red team tools that can elevate your pen test. Whether you’re an experienced veteran or a newcomer, knowing these basic toolsets will help you run better, faster, and more effective red team engagements. Explore this guide on red team tools to high-end cyber and see how it can change your penetration testing strategy.

Read Also: Red Team vs Blue Team

Understanding Red Team Tools

A. Definition and purpose

These red team tools are specialized hardware and software components that replicate real-world cyberattacks. Security professionals use these tools to identify vulnerabilities and test defenses as well as assess an organization’s security posture overall. Bound to black hats, red team tools have been primarily developed to mimic advanced threat actors to help organizations preemptively identify and resolve developmental cycles before hackers have the chance to exploit them.

B. Importance in penetration testing

Red team tools play a important role in penetration testing:

1. A more realistic model of advanced persistent threat (APT)
2. Finding the hidden vulnerabilities missed by automatic scans
3. Conducting tests of effectiveness of security controls and incident response procedures
4. Confirming the organization’s capability to identify and react to complex attacks
5. Assisting with making decisions on security investments based on actual attack scenarios

C. Key features to look for

Choosing the right red team tools, however, is not straightforward for any security professional, and to ease your decision, here are a few things you should remember:

1. Customizable: The tools must be adaptable to a large variety of attack scenarios and target environments.
2. Stealth capabilities: The realism of the simulations is dependent on the ability to evade detection by security systems.
3. Supported on multiple platforms: The tools should function across various operating systems and architectures.
4. Integration: The ability to integrate seamlessly with other security tools to improve overall effectiveness.
5. Reporting: Extensive reporting capabilities assist in documenting discoveries and offering actionable insights.

The core capabilities offered by red team tools allow skilled individuals to perform comprehensive penetration tests, thereby enhancing the overall security posture of an organization.

Network Scanning and Enumeration Tools

A. Nmap: The versatile port scanner

Nmap (Network Mapper) is the most widely used tool for network scanning and enumeration. This open-source utility contains a variety of features that make it a must-have for red team work:

1. Port scanning: detect open, closed, and filtered target system ports
2. OS fingerprinting: Identify the operating system of remote hosts
3. Service/version detection: Determine what services are running and of which version
4. Script engine: Automate different network tasks or vulnerability checks.

Nmap, or Network Mapper, is a widely used network scanning tool that allows network administrators and security professionals to discover hosts, services, operating systems, and even potential firewall rules on a network.

B. Wireshark: Packet analysis made easy

Wireshark is a powerful network protocol analyzer when you need very low-level information about the flow of messages over the network. Following are the key features of this tool.

1. Packet capture and analysis in real-time
2. An extensive list of up to hundreds of protocols
3. Highly advanced filtering options
4. Decrypting encrypted traffic (with the appropriate keys)

During penetration testing engagements, red team operators employ Wireshark to analyze network communications, detect security vulnerabilities, and acquire useful intelligence.

C. Netcat: The Swiss Army knife of networking

A networking utility known as ‘nc,’ netcat, serves some different purposes for the red team:

• Port scanning and banner grabbing
• Reverse Shells to Get Remote Access
• Transferring files from system to system
• Setting up simple client-server applications

The nature of Netcat’s simplicity and flexibility makes it an indispensable utility in the network exploration and exploitation of this task. Together, by mastering these three tools, red team operators can map, analyze, and interact with target networks, forming the basis for a successful penetration testing engagement.

Vulnerability Assessment Tools

Now that we’ve explored network scanning and enumeration tools, let’s delve into vulnerability assessment tools, which are crucial for identifying potential weaknesses in a target system.

A. Nessus: Comprehensive vulnerability scanning

Nessus is a comprehensive vulnerability scanning tool. It is a widely used, powerful vulnerability scanner that offers.

1. Large database of vulnerabilities
2. Customizable scan policies
3. Descriptive reporting features
4. Integration with other security tools

It is crucial for comprehensive red team assessments due to its extensive scan coverage.

B. OpenVAS: Open-source alternative

OpenVAS is a free, open-source vulnerability scanner. Following are the important features of OpenVAS.

1. Timely updates of the vulnerability database
2. Web-based interface for ease of management
3. The ability to configure scan settings
4. Integration with other open-source security tools

OpenVAS does not come with as many features as Nessus, but it is a low-cost option for smaller teams or organizations.

C. Metasploit: Exploit development framework

While the Metasploit framework is best known as an exploitation tool, it can also be a useful vulnerability assessment tool. Here are the most important features of metasploit framework.

1. Extensive exploit database
2. Ability to confirm vulnerabilities through safe exploitation
3. Custom module development for specific use cases
4. Integration with additional vulnerability scanners

Metasploit allows red teams to not only find vulnerabilities but also confirm how prone an asset is to an exploit.

These tools are the backbone between vulnerability assessment in red team operations, which provide immense identification and verification of security weak points. With this foundation, we can now explore the next critical phase: exploitation tools.

Exploitation Tools

A. Burp Suite: Web application security testing

Burp Suite is an essential tool for web application security testing. It provides a full-fledged solution with the necessary features used for the identification of vulnerabilities in web applications. Key functionalities of burp suite include:

1. Proxy: Intercept and modify HTTP/HTTPS traffic.
2. Scanner: Automates the discovery of multiple security vulnerabilities
3. Intruder: Conducts custom attacks to test application logic
4. Repeater: Modifies and reposts individual HTTP requests

Burp Suite simplifies the testing, even for the best of security professionals, and hence is a part of many red team stacks.

B. SQLmap: Automated SQL injection

SQLmap is a tool that automates the process of detecting and exploiting SQL injection vulnerabilities. This feature-rich tool is compatible with various database management systems such as MySQL, Oracle, and PostgreSQL. The key features of SQLmap includes the following:

1. Database fingerprinting
2. Data extraction from the database
3. Access the underlying file system
4. Run commands on the Operating System.

SQLmap is commonly used by red teams for automating the detection and exploitation of SQL injection vulnerabilities to extract sensitive information.

C. Social Engineering Toolkit (SET): Human-focused attacks

Inspired by the social side of security, generally known as the weakest link. SET includes various attack vectors that take advantage of human psychology:

1. Spear-phishing attacks
2. Website attack vectors
3. Infectious media generator
4. Mass mailer attacks

By using these tools, red teams can evaluate an organization’s vulnerability to social engineering tactics, showcasing opportunities for enhanced security awareness training and policies.

Password Cracking and Brute Force Tools

A. John the Ripper: Offline password cracker

A powerful offline password cracker in the red team arsenal is John the Ripper. This multi-functional software is great for:

1. Detecting weak passwords
2. Performing dictionary attacks
3. Executing brute-force attacks

Due to its versatility with many formats of password hashes, it is a must-have for penetration testers. John the Ripper’s versatility enables it to adjust to various situations, improving the overall efficacy of password auditing procedures.

B. Hydra: Online password attacks

Hydra is used for generic online password cracking against a variety of services and systems while they are running. Following are the key features of this tool:

1. Multiple protocols supported (HTTP, FTP, SSH, etc.)
2. Parallel testing capabilities
3. Customizable attack methods

This is very useful when we want to measure how strong or weak the authentication is either used or being used in a network. Thanks to its highly effective capabilities to carry out automated login attempts, Hydra is an indispensable element in any penetration testing toolkit. It’s efficiency in conducting automated login attempts makes it a crucial component of any comprehensive penetration testing toolkit.

C. Hashcat: GPU-accelerated password recovery

Hashcat has become more valuable than the sum of its parts, and it can take advantage of GPU acceleration to accelerate your password cracking efforts. Notable attributes include:

• Utmost multitask - 300+ hash types support
• Advanced Attack Modes (combinator, rule-based, etc.)
• Improving running with multiple GPUs

This tool allows you to validate password hashes with the use of graphics processing units (GPU) to crack them faster. The speed and versatility that this tool has make it a key resource for thorough evaluation of password security.

Having covered password cracking & brute force tools, we are ready to explore wireless network testing tools used in red team operations.

Wireless Network Testing Tools

A. Aircrack-ng: Wi-Fi security assessment

Aircrack-ng is arguably the cornerstone when it comes to wireless network testing, offering a comprehensive suite for assessing Wi-Fi security. This tool helps red teams to:

• Network intrusion detection and prevention
• Break WEP and WPA/WPA2-PSK keys
• Perform different kinds of wireless attacks

Its versatility is what makes it an essential tool for penetration testing which allows the testers to simulate real-word attack scenarios.

B. Kismet: Wireless network detector and sniffer

Kismet is a truly next-level wireless network reconnaissance suite. As a passive wireless network detector, it shines in:

• Identifying hidden networks
• Detecting unauthorized access points.
• Mapping topologies of wireless networks

Not transmitting any packets makes Kismet perfect for stealthy network discovery and essential for red teamers who need a small footprint.

C. WiFi Pineapple: Rogue access point creation

The WiFi Pineapple is a game changer in wireless attack platforms. This sophisticated device enables:

• Setting up convincing rogue access points
• Man-in-the-middle attacks
• Automated Client Profiling and Exploitation

Its ease of use and vast module ecosystem cover a wide variety of scenarios for testing an organization’s exposure to wireless-based social engineering attacks.

Red teamers have a powerful arsenal of wireless network testing tools at their disposal to comprehensively assess an organization’s wireless security posture. Using these tools, testers can scout for vulnerabilities, consider and test them, and provide details to aid in improving overall network security.

Post-Exploitation Tools

A. Mimikatz: Credential dumping and pass-the-hash

While there are several post-exploitation tools to choose from, Mimikatz reigns supreme in a red team ops toolbox. This multipurpose tool specializes in retrieving plaintext passwords, hashes, and Kerberos tickets from memory. It also performs pass-the-hash attacks, enabling testers to traverse laterally through a network without having the actual password. The key features of mimikatz’s include the following:

• Dumping credentials from the LSASS process
• Pass-the-hash and pass-the-ticket techniques
• Creating golden tickets for permanent domain Admin access
• Kerberos ticket manipulation

B. Empire: Post-exploitation framework

Empire is a full-featured framework for post-exploitation used by red teams to persist and extend access to the box. Built in PowerShell and Python, this modular tool is designed for building various reconnaissance, privilege escalation, and data exfiltration capabilities.

The Empire has strengths in its

• Encrypted channels of communication
• Large module library for all your post-exploitation needs
• Flexiblity in Payload Generation and Delivery.

C. Cobalt Strike: Advanced adversary simulation

Cobalt Strike is the ultimate advanced post-exploitation toolkit that emulates advanced threat actors. Such commercial-grade software helps red teams conduct comprehensive adversary simulations to assess an organization’s detection and response capabilities against real-life attack situations.

Key features of Cobalt Strike include

• Beacon payloads for cobalts command and control
• Shared server for collaborative work
• Customizing attack behavior with malleable C2 profiles
• Powerful reporting and visualization capabilities

For any red team, these post-exploitation tools are critical to provide as much coverage as possible across multiple systems after the initial compromise, allowing the peace of mind of knowing that all concerns have been covered.

Stealth and Evasion Tools

A. Veil Framework: Payload generation and obfuscation

A core element in a red team’s toolkit, the Veil Framework provides advanced support for payload generation and obfuscation. It is highly skilled in developing undetectable masses that evade popular antivirus solutions, which helps penetration testers remain low-key throughout the process.

Some of the key features of Veil Framework are:

• Support for multiple payload types
• Customizable obfuscation techniques
• Integration with other popular tools
• Regular updates to stay ahead of detection methods

B. ProxyChains: Traffic redirection

ProxyChains figures that it can help a red team minimize its attack footprint and cover its tracks by forwarding its network traffic through a chain of proxies. Such tools are especially valuable when it comes to breaching heavily monitored networks or gaining access to geo-blocked resources.

Advantages of using ProxyChains:

• Hides the actual source/destination of network traffic
• All types of proxies are supported (HTTP, SOCKS4, SOCKS5)
• Allows for proxy chaining for enhanced anonymity
• Supports alignment for most TCP applications

C. Tor Browser: Anonymous web browsing

Red teams who need web browsing with anonymity rely on an essential tool – the Tor Browser. It does this by routing internet traffic through a distributed network of relays, effectively hiding the user’s location and usage from network surveillance or traffic analysis.

For stealth operations, Tor Browser has a lot of advantages:

• Secure: encrypted connections for improved privacy
• Access to .onion sites on the dark web
• Security features whitelisted for browser fingerprinting
• It addresses new security vulnerabilities and threats.

By employing these tools for stealth and evasion, red teams can greatly improve their chances of remaining undetected during penetration tests. Next we will be looking into reporting and documentation tools, as they are very important when it comes to reporting the finding in a way that is easy for your clients to understand.

Read Also: The Dark Web Explained: What Every Internet User Should Know

Reporting and Documentation Tools

A. Dradis: Collaboration and reporting platform

Dradis acts as a cornerstone of red teams, a centralized tool to define cooperation and reporting. This open-source solution simplifies compiling findings, sharing information, and creating comprehensive reports. Key features include

1. Ability to collaborate in real-time
2. Customizable report templates
3. Integration with common vulnerability scanners
4. Secure storage and encryption of data

Dradis allows red teams to keep a structured workflow and up-to-date information about the engagement available to every team member.

B. MagicTree: Data management for penetration testers

MagicTree is useful for organizing and managing a ton of data generated during the penetration testing. This application is built with Java that includes the following features:

• Hierarchical data storage
• Simple XML-based project files for sharing easily
• Automated report generation
• Custom scripting capabilities

Red teams can use MagicTree to easily organize and analyze their ongoing discovery findings, ultimately trying to deliver more meaningful reports to customers.

C. KeepNote: Flexible note-taking application

As red team members are typically involved in writing observations for evidence capture, one of the main tools used is KeepNote. Its key advantages include

• Structured organization of notes
• Rich text formatting options
• File attachment support
• Cross-platform compatibility

This application helps testers to keep a record of what they do in detail.

Effective reporting and documentation are key to successfully communicating the findings of red team assessments to stakeholders. But these tools improve the efficiency of not only the reporting process but also the quality and professionalism of the end product itself.

Continuous Learning and Tool Updates

A. Staying informed about new vulnerabilities

As a red team professional, it is important to stay informed about new vulnerabilities in the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity. To stay ahead, practitioners must subscribe to security bulletins and advisories from top software vendors and security organizations and keep an eye on respected vulnerability databases like

• National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
• Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE)
• Exploit Database

B. Following security researchers and tool developers

For keeping alongside of the latest security-related developments and red team tools, requires the following:

• Reading and following cybersecurity industry blogs, social media platforms and podcasts
• Attending online webinars and industry conferences

C. Participating in CTF competitions and workshops

Capture The Flag (CTF) competitions and workshops provide great opportunities to:

• Developing practical skills in a safe setting
• Acquiring new methods and resources from colleagues
• Maintaining awareness of new attack methods

D. Contributing to open-source projects

Engagement with open-source pParticipating in open-source projects is advantageous for:

• Expanding knowledge of the features of the tool
• Working together with seasoned experts
• Increasing one’s reputation and skill set in the community

Red Teamers must understand that the world is constantly evolving; therefore, you must evolve with it by constantly updating your tools and keeping learning. Through participating in these activities, practitioners can make sure their toolkits are current and their skills are up to date. By being ahead of the threat landscape, red teams can anticipate and simulate the newest threats, ensuring that organizations receive the most accurate and helpful security assessments possible.

Security professionals use Red team tools as fundamental building blocks of penetration testing . These red team tools cover a range of techniques, including network scanning, vulnerability assessment, exploitation, and post-exploitation, enabling security professionals to emulate real-world attack scenarios and discover potential security weaknesses. The tools that we covered in this blog post are an extensive list of red team tools that can be used in a full red team engagement, from wireless network attacks to password cracking and stealth attacks.

Given the constantly changing nature of cybersecurity, red teamers must keep their tools and knowledge fresh. It is essential to keep track of the latest developments in the industry and the best practices of cybersecurity while utilizing such 24 tools. So, always be sure, even if you have all these red team tools, that you know how to apply them in the right place and at the right time; that is the key to penetration testing.

Frequently Asked Questions on Red Team Tools