Nikto vs. WPScan
What's the Difference?
Nikto and WPScan are both popular open-source web vulnerability scanners used by security professionals to identify potential security issues in websites. Nikto is a comprehensive tool that scans for a wide range of vulnerabilities, including outdated software, server misconfigurations, and potentially dangerous files or scripts. On the other hand, WPScan is specifically designed to target WordPress websites, scanning for vulnerabilities specific to the popular content management system. While Nikto is more general in its approach, WPScan offers more targeted and in-depth scanning for WordPress sites. Both tools are valuable assets in a security professional's toolkit, offering different strengths and capabilities for identifying and addressing web vulnerabilities.
Comparison
| Attribute | Nikto | WPScan |
|---|---|---|
| Tool Type | Vulnerability Scanner | Vulnerability Scanner |
| Target | Web servers | WordPress websites |
| Open Source | Yes | Yes |
| Supported Platforms | Linux, Windows, macOS | Linux, Windows, macOS |
| Scan Types | Web server vulnerabilities, misconfigurations | WordPress vulnerabilities, misconfigurations |
Further Detail
Introduction
Nikto and WPScan are two popular tools used by security professionals to scan websites for vulnerabilities. While both tools serve a similar purpose, they have distinct features that set them apart. In this article, we will compare the attributes of Nikto and WPScan to help you determine which tool is best suited for your needs.
Scanning Capabilities
Nikto is an open-source web server scanner that performs comprehensive tests against web servers for multiple items, including over 6700 potentially dangerous files/programs, checks for outdated versions of over 1250 servers, and version-specific problems on over 270 servers. It also checks for server configuration items such as the presence of multiple index files, HTTP server options, and will attempt to identify installed web servers and software.
WPScan, on the other hand, is a black box WordPress vulnerability scanner that can be used to scan WordPress installations for security vulnerabilities. It checks for vulnerabilities in the WordPress core, plugins, and themes, as well as misconfigurations that could make a site vulnerable to attacks. WPScan also provides information on the version of WordPress being used, the plugins installed, and the themes being used.
User Interface
Nikto is a command-line tool, which means that it is run from the terminal and does not have a graphical user interface. This can make it less user-friendly for those who are not comfortable working with the command line. However, Nikto's command-line interface allows for greater flexibility and customization in scanning options.
WPScan, on the other hand, has both a command-line interface and a graphical user interface. The graphical user interface makes it easier for users to navigate the tool and view scan results in a more visually appealing format. This can be beneficial for users who prefer a more user-friendly interface.
Database of Vulnerabilities
Nikto relies on a database of known vulnerabilities to perform its scans. This database is regularly updated to include the latest vulnerabilities and security issues. Nikto users can update their databases to ensure that they are scanning for the most current vulnerabilities.
WPScan also relies on a database of known vulnerabilities specific to WordPress installations. This database is regularly updated to include the latest vulnerabilities in WordPress core, plugins, and themes. WPScan users can update their databases to ensure that they are scanning for the most current vulnerabilities specific to WordPress.
Customization Options
Nikto offers a wide range of customization options that allow users to tailor their scans to meet their specific needs. Users can specify which tests to run, set scan speed, enable or disable certain checks, and more. This level of customization can be beneficial for users who have specific requirements for their scans.
WPScan also offers customization options, allowing users to specify which tests to run, set scan speed, and enable or disable certain checks. Users can also specify the target URL, the number of threads to use, and other scan parameters. This level of customization can be beneficial for users who want to fine-tune their scans.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both Nikto and WPScan are powerful tools for scanning websites for vulnerabilities. Nikto is a comprehensive web server scanner that checks for a wide range of potential issues, while WPScan is a specialized tool for scanning WordPress installations. The choice between Nikto and WPScan will depend on the specific needs of the user, with Nikto being more suitable for general web server scanning and WPScan being more suitable for WordPress-specific scanning.
Comparisons may contain inaccurate information about people, places, or facts. Please report any issues.