Nessus is a widely used vulnerability scanner that helps identify potential security issues in networks and systems. It provides detailed reports on vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and security risks, making it a valuable tool for penetration testers, security analysts, and system administrators.
Common Options
- –port: Specify the port for Nessus to listen on (e.g.,
--port 8834). - –plugin-list: Specify the plugins to use for the scan (e.g.,
--plugin-list "apache, ssl"). - –severity: Set the severity level for vulnerabilities to scan (e.g.,
--severity high). - –target: Define the target for the scan (e.g.,
--target 192.168.1.1). - –scan-type: Set the type of scan to run (e.g.,
--scan-type full). - –output: Save the scan results to a file (e.g.,
--output result.nessus). - –headless: Run Nessus in headless mode, without the graphical user interface.
- –verbose: Enable verbose logging to get detailed information about the scan process.
- –disable-prompt: Disable prompts during scanning, allowing for automated runs.
Examples of Nessus Commands
Here are some practical examples of how to use Nessus with these options:
- Start Nessus on port 8834:
> nessus --port 8834 - Scan for high severity vulnerabilities on a specific target:
> nessus --severity high --target 192.168.1.1 - Scan using a specific plugin list:
> nessus --plugin-list "apache, ssl" --target 192.168.1.1 - Run a full scan:
> nessus --scan-type full --target 192.168.1.1 - Save scan results to a file:
> nessus --output result.nessus --target 192.168.1.1 - Run Nessus in headless mode:
> nessus --headless --target 192.168.1.1 - Enable verbose logging for detailed scan results:
> nessus --verbose --target 192.168.1.1 - Run Nessus without prompts (automated run):
> nessus --disable-prompt --target 192.168.1.1
Summary
Nessus is an essential tool for vulnerability scanning and security assessments. By providing customizable scan options such as plugin selection, severity levels, and automated scanning, Nessus helps identify security weaknesses and manage risk effectively. Whether for network security assessments or compliance checks, Nessus is a versatile tool for cybersecurity professionals.