Nuclei: A Beginner’s Guide to Web Application Security

INTRODUCTION:

"Nuclei by Project Discovery is a cutting-edge automation tool that simplifies vulnerability scanning, reconnaissance, and penetration testing, offering a vast repository of templates contributed by over 100 esteemed security researchers and engineers."

"Nuclei is a powerful vulnerability scanner tool written in Golang. It uses nuclei templates to send requests to multiple targets, resulting in fast and accurate scanning without false positives. The device can be updated automatically with newer versions of templates for better performance. Nuclei can scan different protocols like DNS, HTTP, and TCP, making them versatile for various security checks.

Nuclei offers several key benefits in the field of cybersecurity:

1. Automated Vulnerability Scanning:

Nuclei automate the process of vulnerability scanning, saving time and effort for security teams. It can quickly scan for various protocols and perform security checks across multiple targets, identifying potential vulnerabilities.

2. Customizable Templates:

Nuclei provides a wide range of pre-built templates from security experts and allows users to create their templates.

3. Fast and Accurate Results:

Nuclei is designed for speed and accuracy, providing fast scanning with zero false positives. It eliminates irrelevant results, allowing security teams to prioritize and address critical vulnerabilities efficiently.

4. Integration and Extensibility:

Nuclei can be integrated into existing security workflows and toolchains, enhancing overall security operations.

Overall, Nuclei simplifies and streamlines vulnerability scanning, enabling organizations to proactively identify and mitigate potential security risks.

Note: “Just make sure you have Golang/Go installed on your system to use Nuclei.”

You can Refer to this link to install Go/Golang: -https://gist.github.com/subfuzion/383dbfed1ee02933d9d384e4fc6977f7

Or simply write: -

Let Go to install Nuclei…….

Installation of Nuclei

Step 1: If you have downloaded Go/Golang in your system, verify your Golang installation by running the Go version in the terminal using this command:

Step 2: To download Nuclei for your operating system, visit the official website of Project Discovery. There, you will find various installation methods available to choose from based on your system's requirements.

Site: https://github.com/projectdiscovery/nuclei/releases Site: https://github.com/projectdiscovery/nuclei

Step 3: To get Nuclei from GitHub, use this command:

Note: Nuclei requires go1.20 to install successfully. Run the following command to install the latest version.

Step 4: Get the Nuclei repository or clone the Nuclei tool from GitHub, use the following command.

Step 5: To make Nuclei easier to use without manually running it through Golang, you can copy the Nuclei tool to the bin directory using this command:

Step 6: Update the Nuclei Templates, Project discovery has a dedicated repository that houses various types of vulnerability templates contributed by over a hundred security researchers and engineers.

In order to get the latest templates, build by the community, you can simply supply this command, nuclei -update-templates using this command:

By executing this command, the Nuclei tool will be copied to the bin directory, allowing you to access it conveniently without specifying the Golang path every time.

Step 7: To access the help menu page and gain a better understanding of the Nuclei tool, use the following command:

Nuclei give you the ability to write your own custom templates in order to match your workflow. Here in this URL nuclei.projectdiscovery.io/templating-guide/ you will find all the information on how you can build one for yourself.

Site: https://github.com/projectdiscovery/nuclei-templates

Usages:

Example 1: Like you can make your own template, and run nuclei a single template and Nuclei provides the option to create your own templates, allowing you to define customized security checks. You can also run Nuclei on a single template by specifying the template file and the target you want to scan. This flexibility lets you focus on specific security tests and simplify the scanning process. Whether you use existing templates or create your own, Nuclei offers a user-friendly approach to vulnerability scanning and testing.

Example 2: You can Run Multiple templates with speed and Nuclei makes it incredibly easy to run multiple templates simultaneously, enabling fast and efficient vulnerability scanning. Instead of scanning one template at a time, Nuclei empowers you to launch multiple security checks all at once. This saves you time and ensures comprehensive coverage across your targets. By leveraging parallel execution, Nuclei optimizes the scanning process, allowing you to quickly identify and address potential security vulnerabilities. With Nuclei, you can effortlessly enhance your security testing and strengthen the protection of your systems.

Example 3: You can do mass scanning; Nuclei simplifies mass scanning by allowing you to scan multiple targets at once. With a single command, you can scan numerous hosts, domains, or IP addresses simultaneously. This feature saves time and effort, making it easier to assess the security of many targets efficiently. Whether you're conducting small or large-scale assessments, Nuclei streamlines the process of mass scanning and helps you identify vulnerabilities effectively.

Example 4: Excluding single template With Nuclei, you can exclude specific templates from the scanning process, customizing your vulnerability assessments. This allows you to focus on relevant checks and exclude unnecessary ones. By tailoring your scans, you optimize efficiency and obtain targeted results based on your specific needs.

CONCLUSION:

In conclusion, Nuclei by Project Discovery is a powerful web application security tool that automates vulnerability scanning, reconnaissance, and penetration testing. It offers a vast repository of customizable templates contributed by esteemed security researchers and engineers, allowing users to easily perform security checks across multiple targets.

WRITER: Rashideo Narendra Benvansh