Nettacker
OWASP Nettacker is an open-source Python framework for automated penetration testing and vulnerability scanning. It performs reconnaissance, port scanning, service detection, and credential testing across networks, with CLI, REST API, and web UI interfaces.
Key facts
Objective fields from the source. Values we can't verify are shown as “Unknown” rather than guessed.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Repository | OWASP/Nettacker |
| Owner | OWASP |
| Primary language | Python |
| License | Apache-2.0 — OSI-approved |
| Stars | 5.3k |
| Forks | 1.1k |
| Open issues | 237 |
| Latest release | 0.4.0 (2024-09-27) |
| Last updated | 2026-07-03 |
| Source | https://github.com/OWASP/Nettacker |
What Nettacker is
Modular Python-based penetration testing framework with multithreaded scanning across HTTP/HTTPS, FTP, SSH, SMB, SMTP, ICMP, and TELNET. Supports CIDR/IP range/domain targets, exports JSON/CSV/HTML/text reports, maintains SQLite scan history for drift detection, and offers evasion techniques (proxy, delays, user-agent randomization).
Get the Nettacker source
Clone the repository and explore it locally.
git clone https://github.com/OWASP/Nettacker.gitcd Nettacker# follow the project's README for install & configurationNeed it deployed, integrated, or customized instead? DEV.co ships production installs.
Best use cases
Implementation considerations
- Verify targets and obtain explicit written authorization before running scans; tool is designed for legitimate penetration testing and can generate significant network traffic.
- Configure threading, delays, and evasion options to avoid IDS detection and reduce load on target infrastructure.
- Install dependencies (Python 3, required libraries) or use Docker image for consistent, isolated deployment.
- Plan database strategy: default SQLite suitable for single-user/small team; scaling to multi-user environments may require custom database setup.
- Validate wordlists and module settings before large-scale scans; some modules (e.g., credential brute-force) can be resource-intensive and time-consuming.
When to avoid it — and what to weigh
- Require Commercial Support & SLAs — This is a community-driven OWASP project. Unknown commercial support availability; no SLA guarantees. Review support model before production deployment.
- Need Managed Cloud Service — Nettacker is self-hosted (Docker, CLI, local web UI). If you need a fully managed SaaS scanning solution, consider commercial alternatives.
- Require Advanced Exploitation Capabilities — Nettacker focuses on reconnaissance and vulnerability detection. It does not appear to include active exploitation or payload delivery modules.
- Operating in Highly Restricted Networks — Multithreaded, aggressive scanning may trigger IDS/WAF alerts even with evasion options. Requires careful tuning and authorization before use in sensitive environments.
License & commercial use
Apache License 2.0 (Apache-2.0). Permissive OSI-approved license permitting commercial and proprietary use with attribution and liability disclaimer.
Apache 2.0 permits commercial use. However, this is a community-maintained OWASP project with no official commercial backing. Verify support arrangements and indemnification terms before relying on it in production or customer-facing security operations.
DEV.co evaluation signals
Editorial assessment — not user reviews. Directional, with an explicit confidence level.
| Signal | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Maintenance | Active |
| Documentation | Adequate |
| License clarity | Clear |
| Deployment complexity | Low |
| DEV.co fit | Good |
| Assessment confidence | High |
Nettacker is a security testing tool; using it on unauthorized targets is illegal. It generates active network traffic and may trigger security alerting. Users must operate ethically and within legal bounds. Tool includes evasion techniques (proxy, delays, user-agent rotation) to reduce detection, but does not guarantee stealth. Scan scope and intensity configuration critical to avoid unintended impact. No independent security audit data provided.
Alternatives to consider
Metasploit Framework
Mature, commercial-backed (Rapid7) penetration testing platform with exploitation, post-exploitation, and extensive module library. Offers more advanced attack capabilities but higher complexity and licensing costs.
Nmap + Custom Scripts
Lightweight, de facto standard for network reconnaissance. Requires custom integration for higher-level workflows but offers fine-grained control and minimal overhead.
Burp Suite (Community/Pro)
Web application-focused scanner with strong reporting and automated vulnerability detection. Better for HTTP/HTTPS-centric assessments; not ideal for broad network reconnaissance or non-web protocols.
Build on Nettacker with DEV.co software developers
Read the full documentation, review licensing terms, and test in a safe lab environment before deployment. Contact OWASP or your security team to discuss integration, support, and compliance requirements.
Talk to DEV.coRelated open-source tools
Surfaced by semantic similarity across the DEV.co open-source index.
Related on DEV.co
Explore the category and the services that help you build with it.
Nettacker FAQ
Can I use Nettacker on networks I don't own without permission?
Does Nettacker require internet connectivity?
Can I integrate Nettacker into my CI/CD pipeline?
What is the learning curve for beginners?
Custom software development services
Adopting Nettacker 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.
Evaluate Nettacker for Your Security Operations
Read the full documentation, review licensing terms, and test in a safe lab environment before deployment. Contact OWASP or your security team to discuss integration, support, and compliance requirements.