# Section 1: Introduction to skipfish$ – Installation, Configuration, and Usage
## Overview of skipfish$
Skipfish$ is an advanced web application security scanner developed to identify various vulnerabilities within web applications. It leverages a sophisticated crawling engine to map the structure of web applications and then performs security checks against known vulnerabilities. This tool is particularly useful for web application penetration testers and ethical hackers aiming to fortify application security.
### Key Features of skipfish$
– **Interactive Scanning**: Presents a comprehensive report with a visual representation of found vulnerabilities.
– **Fast Crawling Engine**: Utilizes a non-intrusive and efficient way to discover web application URLs and resources.
– **Customizable**: Users can tailor the scanning parameters to suit specific needs.
– **Detailed Reporting**: Generates detailed reports that include vulnerability descriptions, potential impacts, and remediation strategies.
## Installation and Configuration on Kali Linux
### Prerequisites
Before you begin the installation of skipfish$, ensure that you have the following:
– A Kali Linux installation (latest version recommended).
– Basic command line knowledge.
– Sufficient permissions to install software and run network scans.
### Step 1: Update Your System
First, update your package repository to ensure you have the latest packages:
"`bash
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
"`
### Step 2: Install skipfish$
Skipfish$ can be installed directly from Kali’s repositories. Use the following command:
"`bash
sudo apt install skipfish
"`
### Step 3: Verify Installation
Once installation is complete, verify that skipfish$ is correctly installed:
"`bash
skipfish -h
"`
You should see the help message displaying the usage of the tool, confirming that it’s ready for use.
## Configuration
Skipfish$ has a configuration file located in `/etc/skipfish/skipfish.conf`. While the default configuration can work well, customizing it may yield better results depending on the target application.
### Example Configuration Changes
Open the configuration file with your preferred text editor:
"`bash
sudo nano /etc/skipfish/skipfish.conf
"`
Here, you can modify options like `user-agent`, `timeout`, and `max-dirs` to tailor the scanner to your needs:
"`plaintext
# Example configurations
user-agent: MyCustomUserAgent/1.0
timeout: 10
max-dirs: 500
"`
Save the changes and exit the editor.
## Step-by-Step Usage Guide
### Step 1: Basic Scanning
To start a scan, you need to provide the URL of the target web application. Use the following command to initiate a basic scan:
"`bash
skipfish -o /path/to/output/directory/ http://target-website.com
"`
### Step 2: Understanding Output Directory
The `-o` flag specifies the output directory where the results will be stored. You can access various files including:
– `index.html`: Main report of the scan.
– `results.json`: Detailed results in JSON format for further analysis.
– `log.txt`: Log of the scanning process.
### Step 3: Detailed Scanning with Options
For a more refined scan, consider using additional flags. Here are some commonly used options:
– **-W**: Specifies a wordlist for brute-forcing.
– **-S**: Enables SSL scanning.
– **-c**: Defines the maximum number of concurrent requests.
An example command with options might look like:
"`bash
skipfish -o /path/to/output/directory/ -W /path/to/wordlist.txt -S http://target-website.com
"`
### Step 4: Analyzing the Results
After the scan completes, navigate to the output directory and open `index.html` in your web browser. The report will display a detailed summary of vulnerabilities found, organized by severity.
### Step 5: Real-World Use Cases
#### Use Case 1: Testing a WordPress Site
As a penetration tester, you’ve been tasked with testing the security of a WordPress site. You can use skipfish$ to identify common vulnerabilities like SQL injection, XSS, and plugin vulnerabilities.
1. Launch your skipfish$ scan targeting the WordPress site:
skipfish -o /path/to/output/directory/ -W /usr/share/skipfish/wordlists/wordpress.txt http://target-wordpress-site.com
2. Review the generated report for vulnerabilities, focusing on areas typical for WordPress, such as themes and plugins.
#### Use Case 2: E-commerce Application Security Assessment
When testing an e-commerce site, you’ll want to ensure that payment gateways and user authentication mechanisms are secure.
1. Invoke skipfish$ against the e-commerce site:
skipfish -o /path/to/output/directory/ -c 50 http://target-ecommerce-site.com
2. Post-scan, assess the output for any issues related to payment processes or sensitive data exposure.
## Advanced Features and Techniques
### Customizing Skipfish$ for Specific Applications
Skipfish$ allows the customization of scanning processes to cater to particular web applications. You can adjust parameters in the configuration file or utilize command-line flags to refine your scans.
#### Example: Adjusting Timeout and Delay
To avoid overwhelming a target application, you can set the scan timeout and delay between requests:
"`bash
skipfish -o /path/to/output/directory/ -T 30 -d 0.5 http://target-website.com
"`
Where `-T` sets the timeout and `-d` introduces a delay in seconds between requests.
### Utilizing Wordlists for Enhanced Scanning
Using specific wordlists can significantly enhance the effectiveness of your scans, especially for applications with predictable URLs. Skipfish$ comes with several built-in wordlists that can be effectively utilized.
To use a custom wordlist, specify it with the `-W` option:
"`bash
skipfish -o /path/to/output/directory/ -W /path/to/custom_wordlist.txt http://target-website.com
"`
### Handling Authentication Mechanisms
In cases where your target web application requires authentication, skipfish$ can be configured to handle this through session cookies or by simulating authentication.
The most common approach is to manually pass the session cookie:
"`bash
skipfish -o /path/to/output/directory/ -C "session_id=your_session_id_value" http://target-website.com
"`
### External Reference Links
For further learning and in-depth technical details, refer to the following resources:
– [Skipfish GitHub Repository](https://github.com/spinkham/skipfish)
– [OWASP Skipfish Documentation](https://owasp.org/www-project-skipfish/)
– [Kali Linux Documentation](https://www.kali.org/docs/)
– [Web Application Security Testing Cheat Sheet](https://cheatsheetseries.owasp.org/cheatsheets/Web_Application_Security_Testing_Cheat_Sheet.html)
## Conclusion
Skipfish$ is a powerful and versatile tool for web application security testing. By following the steps outlined in this section, you can effectively install, configure, and utilize skipfish$ for comprehensive vulnerability assessments. Whether targeting small websites or large applications, skipfish$ provides the necessary tools to identify and rectify security weaknesses.
—
Made by pablo rotem / פבלו רותם