Nikto: Your Web Server Vulnerability Scanner

Welcome to the world of ethical hacking and penetration testing! In this module, we'll dive into Nikto, a powerful open-source web server scanner that plays a crucial role in identifying security vulnerabilities. Understanding how to use Nikto effectively is a key skill for any aspiring cybersecurity professional.

What is Nikto?

Nikto is a command-line web server scanner that performs comprehensive tests against web servers for multiple items, including over 6700 potentially dangerous files/CGIs, checks for outdated server versions, and version-specific problems on over 1250 servers. It also identifies server configuration issues and provides detailed reports.

Nikto automates the discovery of common web server weaknesses.

Nikto works by sending various HTTP requests to a target web server and analyzing the responses. It looks for known vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and outdated software versions.

Nikto's scanning process involves sending a wide array of HTTP requests to the target web server. These requests are designed to probe for specific vulnerabilities, such as default credentials, insecure file permissions, known software flaws (e.g., Apache Struts, Heartbleed), and common web application vulnerabilities like SQL injection or cross-site scripting (XSS) if configured to do so. It maintains a database of known vulnerabilities and checks against this database. The output can be customized to provide detailed reports in various formats.

Key Features and Capabilities

Feature	Description
Vulnerability Database	Checks for over 6700 dangerous files/CGIs and known vulnerabilities.
Server Version Detection	Identifies outdated server software and associated risks.
Configuration Auditing	Detects common server misconfigurations (e.g., directory listings, insecure headers).
Plugin Support	Extensible with plugins for custom checks and advanced scanning.
Reporting	Generates reports in various formats (e.g., text, XML, HTML).

How Nikto Works (Conceptual Flow)

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Using Nikto in Practice

When performing a penetration test, Nikto is typically used in the reconnaissance phase to quickly identify potential weaknesses in the target's web infrastructure. It's important to note that Nikto can be noisy and may trigger Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS). Therefore, its usage should be carefully considered and authorized.

Always ensure you have explicit permission before scanning any system with Nikto or any other penetration testing tool.

Common Nikto Commands and Options

Here are some fundamental commands to get you started:

Basic Scan:
code
```
nikto -h 
```
Scan with Port:
code
```
nikto -h  -p 
```
Save Output to File:
code
```
nikto -h  -o 
```
Verbose Output:
code
```
nikto -h  -v
```
Scan for specific vulnerabilities (e.g., CGI):
code
```
nikto -h  -C 2
```
Update Vulnerability Database:
code
```
nikto -update
```

Interpreting Nikto Results

Nikto's output typically lists the target URL, the vulnerability found, and often a reference to more information (like CVE IDs). For example, a finding might indicate an outdated version of Apache with a specific CVE number, suggesting a known exploit exists. Understanding these references is key to prioritizing remediation efforts. The tool categorizes findings by severity, helping you focus on the most critical issues first.

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Text-based content

Library pages focus on text content

What is the primary purpose of Nikto in penetration testing?

To scan web servers for vulnerabilities and misconfigurations.

What is a critical ethical consideration when using Nikto?

Always obtain explicit permission before scanning any system.

Learning Resources

Nikto Web Server Scanner - Official GitHub Repository(documentation)

The official source for Nikto's code, documentation, and community discussions. Essential for understanding its features and development.

Nikto - OWASP(documentation)

An overview of Nikto from the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), highlighting its role in web application security testing.

Learn Nikto: A Complete Guide for Penetration Testers(blog)

A comprehensive blog post detailing Nikto's usage, commands, and practical application in penetration testing scenarios.

How to Use Nikto for Web Server Vulnerability Scanning(tutorial)

A step-by-step tutorial explaining how to install and use Nikto to identify common web server vulnerabilities.

Nikto Vulnerability Scanner Tutorial(blog)

Another practical guide that covers Nikto's installation, basic usage, and interpretation of scan results.

Ethical Hacking: Web Server Scanning with Nikto(video)

A video demonstration showcasing how to use Nikto in an ethical hacking context, with practical examples.

Nikto - Kali Linux Documentation(documentation)

Information on Nikto as it's integrated into Kali Linux, a popular distribution for penetration testing.

Understanding Web Server Vulnerabilities(documentation)

The OWASP Web Security Testing Guide provides context for the types of vulnerabilities Nikto helps uncover.

Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE)(wikipedia)

A dictionary of publicly known information security vulnerabilities, crucial for understanding Nikto's findings.

Penetration Testing Execution Standard (PTES)(documentation)

Provides a framework and guidelines for conducting penetration tests, contextualizing the use of tools like Nikto.