habu
Habu is a Python-based hacking toolkit designed for security testing and network analysis. It bundles network reconnaissance, ARP manipulation, DNS discovery, certificate analysis, and various exploitation techniques into a command-line interface.
Key facts
Objective fields from the source. Values we can't verify are shown as “Unknown” rather than guessed.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Repository | fportantier/habu |
| Owner | fportantier |
| Primary language | Python |
| License | BSD-3-Clause — OSI-approved |
| Stars | 981 |
| Forks | 164 |
| Open issues | 2 |
| Latest release | 0.1.6 (2019-04-15) |
| Last updated | 2025-12-30 |
| Source | https://github.com/fportantier/habu |
What habu is
Built on Scapy and Python 3, Habu provides ~60 CLI commands for ARP poisoning/sniffing, DHCP attacks, TCP analysis, certificate cloning, subdomain enumeration via certificate transparency logs, and social engineering reconnaissance. Installation is via pip from GitHub; core dependencies include network packet libraries.
Get the habu source
Clone the repository and explore it locally.
git clone https://github.com/fportantier/habu.gitcd habu# follow the project's README for install & configurationNeed it deployed, integrated, or customized instead? DEV.co ships production installs.
Best use cases
Implementation considerations
- Requires elevated (root/admin) privileges for ARP poisoning, DHCP attacks, packet sniffing, and raw socket operations. Plan privilege escalation and isolation accordingly.
- No built-in logging, output redirection, or report generation; consider wrapping calls in custom scripts if you need audit trails or formatted client deliverables.
- Python 3 dependency; ensure target systems have Python 3 installed and pip access to GitHub (not always available in air-gapped or corporate-restricted networks).
- Many commands rely on external services (VirusTotal, Shodan, certificate transparency databases); requires API keys and stable internet connectivity.
- Limited error handling and validation in some commands; expect failures on malformed input or network timeouts. Test commands in safe lab environments first.
When to avoid it — and what to weigh
- Unauthorized or Production-Critical Networks — Tools like ARP poisoning, DHCP starvation, and SYN floods can disrupt network availability. Legal and ethical constraints require explicit authorization; use in unauthorized contexts exposes you and your organization to criminal liability.
- Dependency on Commercial Support or SLAs — This is a personal/research project with minimal formal support structure. Latest release is from April 2019, and while the repo shows recent commits (Dec 2025), there is no dedicated support model, issue SLA, or vendor backing.
- Requirement for Modern Offensive Security Frameworks — Metasploit, Cobalt Strike, or professional pentest platforms offer integrated workflows, evasion techniques, C2 capabilities, and post-exploitation modules that Habu does not provide. For complex engagements, Habu is a supplementary tool only.
- Windows-First Development Environments — While the README notes Windows compatibility, the toolkit is Linux-centric. Low-level packet manipulation, ARP operations, and network interface discovery may encounter driver/privilege issues on Windows without careful setup.
License & commercial use
BSD-3-Clause (New/Revised License) is a permissive OSI-approved license allowing commercial use, modification, and distribution with copyright and license attribution required in source and binary distributions.
BSD-3-Clause is permissive for commercial use (e.g., including Habu in a commercial pentest tool or SaaS platform) provided you retain the license notice and copyright attribution. However, you assume all liability for the toolkit's outputs and legality of use. Verify your end-user licensing and obtain proper authorization for any network testing activities. No warranty is provided by the original developer.
DEV.co evaluation signals
Editorial assessment — not user reviews. Directional, with an explicit confidence level.
| Signal | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Maintenance | Moderate |
| Documentation | Adequate |
| License clarity | Clear |
| Deployment complexity | Low |
| DEV.co fit | Possible |
| Assessment confidence | High |
Habu is a toolbox for network manipulation and reconnaissance; security posture depends entirely on operator intent and authorization. The toolkit itself does not sanitize output, validate targets, or enforce scope limits. Be aware that: (1) ARP/DHCP manipulation can be detected by network monitoring; (2) certificate cloning is social-engineering focused and marked as invalid; (3) raw packet crafting may trigger IDS/IPS signatures; (4) external API calls (VirusTotal, Shodan, DNS) leak reconnaissance patterns to third parties. No formal security audit or disclosure process is documented. Treat as a research/training tool requiring strict operational security.
Alternatives to consider
Metasploit Framework
Offers integrated ARP spoofing, packet manipulation, payload generation, post-exploitation, and reporting with commercial support via Rapid7. More mature ecosystem but heavier overhead.
Scapy (raw library)
Habu is built on Scapy; using Scapy directly gives you complete control and avoids toolkit assumptions. Requires custom Python scripting; lower barrier for small, focused tasks.
Nmap + Custom Scripts
Nmap handles port scanning and service detection at scale; combine with shell/Python wrappers for certificate enumeration, DNS queries, and OSINT. More modular, fewer dependencies.
Build on habu with DEV.co software developers
Contact our team to discuss custom security automation, authorized penetration testing, or training on offensive network tools. We ensure proper authorization, scope management, and secure operational practices.
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habu FAQ
Do I need administrator/root privileges to run Habu?
Is Habu actively maintained?
Can I use Habu in a commercial pentest service?
What external dependencies does Habu have?
Software development & web development with DEV.co
Adopting habu is usually one piece of a larger software development effort. As a software development agency, DEV.co provides software development services and web development expertise — pairing senior software developers and web developers with your team to design, build, and operate open-source security software in production.
Ready to integrate Habu into your security testing workflow?
Contact our team to discuss custom security automation, authorized penetration testing, or training on offensive network tools. We ensure proper authorization, scope management, and secure operational practices.