OpenVAS Security Tool Cheatsheet

📱 Mobile Security Tips

Sarah Chen — iOS Security Specialist

What is OpenVAS?

OpenVAS (Open Vulnerability Assessment System) is a powerful open-source vulnerability scanner that helps in identifying security weaknesses in systems and applications. It is a key tool used by security analysts and penetration testers to perform extensive scans and audits on networked devices.

Installation

To install OpenVAS on a Linux-based system, use the following commands depending on your distribution:

# For Debian-based systems (Ubuntu, Kali, etc.)
sudo apt update && sudo apt install openvas

# For Red Hat-based systems (CentOS, Fedora, etc.)
sudo dnf install openvas

Basic Syntax

The general syntax for running OpenVAS is:

openvas -G [options]

Discovery

Scan a Single Host

Use OpenVAS for scanning a specific IP address or host for vulnerabilities:

omp -u admin -w admin -T 

Scan a Range of IPs

Scan a subnet for potential vulnerabilities:

omp -u admin -w admin -T 192.168.1.0/24

Scanning

Start Scan

Initiate a scan against a target:

omp -u admin -w admin -S 

View Scan Results

To view and analyze the results of a previous scan:

omp -u admin -w admin -G 

Exploitation

Selecting Templates

Use specific templates for detailed vulnerability assessments:

omp -u admin -w admin -T  -t 

Analysis

Generate Reports

Report generation is crucial for analysis:

omp -u admin -w admin -R 

Evasion

Using Proxy Settings

To evade detection during scans, utilize proxy settings:

omp -u admin -w admin --proxy http://proxy_ip:port

Reporting

Exporting Reports

Export scan results in various formats:

omp -u admin -w admin --export 

Quick Reference Table

Pro Tips

• Use OpenVAS CLI Tools: Familiarize yourself with CLI commands for automated workflows.
• Regular Updates: Keep OpenVAS updated for the latest vulnerability checks.
• Automate Tasks: Schedule regular scans to ensure continuous monitoring of your network.

Real-World Examples

In a typical scenario, a security analyst would:

1. Identify network assets using the `omp -T` command.
2. Conduct scans using predefined templates for known vulnerabilities.
3. Review comprehensive reports generated from the scan results to assist in remediation strategies.