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Nikto is an open-source web vulnerability scanner that performs comprehensive security assessments against web servers to identify vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and potential security risks.
About
Nikto stands as one of the most widely recognized open-source web vulnerability scanners in the cybersecurity community. This command-line tool performs comprehensive security assessments against web servers, testing for over 6,700 potentially dangerous files, programs, and server misconfigurations.
The scanner examines web servers for a broad range of security issues including outdated server software, insecure files and programs, and server configuration problems. Nikto checks for dangerous CGI programs, identifies version-specific vulnerabilities, and scans for common security headers and SSL/TLS configurations. The tool maintains an extensive database of known vulnerabilities and attack signatures that receives regular updates.
What distinguishes Nikto from other web scanners is its focus on thoroughness and its ability to perform stealthy scans. The tool supports various evasion techniques to bypass intrusion detection systems and includes options for timing attacks to avoid overwhelming target servers. Nikto also provides detailed reporting capabilities and can output results in multiple formats including HTML, XML, and CSV.
Security professionals, penetration testers, and system administrators rely on Nikto for routine security assessments and compliance auditing. The tool proves particularly valuable for identifying low-hanging fruit vulnerabilities that attackers commonly exploit. Many organizations integrate Nikto into their automated security testing pipelines and use it as part of broader vulnerability management programs.
Within the open-source security ecosystem, Nikto complements other scanning tools by focusing specifically on web server vulnerabilities. The tool integrates well with frameworks like Metasploit and can be combined with other reconnaissance tools for comprehensive security assessments. Its lightweight nature and minimal resource requirements make it suitable for both quick spot checks and extensive enterprise-wide scanning operations.
Regular development updates ensure Nikto remains effective against emerging web vulnerabilities and attack vectors. The active community contributes plugins and signature updates, maintaining the tool's relevance in an evolving threat landscape.