RustScan
RustScan is a high-speed port scanner written in Rust that identifies open ports in seconds. It supports scripting in Python, Lua, and Shell, and can pipe results into Nmap or custom workflows.
Key facts
Objective fields from the source. Values we can't verify are shown as “Unknown” rather than guessed.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Repository | bee-san/RustScan |
| Owner | bee-san |
| Primary language | Rust |
| License | GPL-3.0 — OSI-approved |
| Stars | 20.1k |
| Forks | 1.3k |
| Open issues | 56 |
| Latest release | 2.4.1 (2025-02-23) |
| Last updated | 2026-07-02 |
| Source | https://github.com/bee-san/RustScan |
What RustScan is
Rust-based port scanner offering full 65k port scans in ~3 seconds with adaptive learning for environment optimization. Includes a scripting engine for result processing and extensibility via multiple runtime support.
Get the RustScan source
Clone the repository and explore it locally.
git clone https://github.com/bee-san/RustScan.gitcd RustScan# follow the project's README for install & configurationNeed it deployed, integrated, or customized instead? DEV.co ships production installs.
Best use cases
Implementation considerations
- GPL-3.0 license requires source code distribution if incorporated into proprietary products; consider licensing implications before integration.
- Rust compilation dependency for Cargo installations; pre-built binaries available but platform-specific testing recommended.
- Scripting engine requires Python/Lua/Shell runtime availability on deployment target; validate across your infrastructure.
- Performance claims (3-second full scan) are conditional on network conditions and target responsiveness; benchmark against your actual infrastructure.
- Adaptive learning features require repeated use to optimize; initial scans may not reflect peak performance claims.
When to avoid it — and what to weigh
- Require proprietary vendor support or SLA guarantees — RustScan is community-maintained open source. GPL-3.0 license does not include commercial support or liability provisions.
- Need stealth/evasion as primary requirement — Tool is optimized for speed. While slow scans are possible, specialized IDS-evasion tools exist; RustScan is not purpose-built for stealthy reconnaissance.
- Depend on closed-source security audits or certifications — No mention of third-party security audits, certifications, or formal threat model documentation in provided data.
- Require Windows as primary deployment platform — Installation docs emphasize Cargo, Homebrew, Arch Linux, and Docker. Windows support not explicitly detailed; may require WSL or alternative setups.
License & commercial use
RustScan is licensed under GPL-3.0 (GNU General Public License v3.0). This is a copyleft license requiring any modifications or derivative works to be distributed under the same license terms with source code provided.
GPL-3.0 permits commercial use of unmodified binaries. However, if you modify RustScan or embed it in proprietary code, you must distribute source code under GPL-3.0. Consult legal counsel before integrating into commercial products. No commercial support entity identified in provided data.
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 |
RustScan is a reconnaissance tool; no inherent 'security' claim is applicable. Consider: (1) Tool can be used for unauthorized scanning; ensure organizational authorization and legal compliance. (2) No security audit or CVE history provided in data. (3) Rust memory-safety properties reduce certain classes of exploits, but no formal threat model or independent review evident. (4) Credentials or sensitive config not mentioned; verify no credential leakage in scripts or logs. (5) Source code is public; malicious modification detection depends on build integrity.
Alternatives to consider
Nmap (C-based, de facto standard)
Mature, widely deployed, vendor-supported options available. Slower but with deeper OS fingerprinting and probe flexibility. RustScan often pipes to Nmap as a second stage.
Masscan (C-based, ultra-high-speed)
Purpose-built for extreme-scale, high-speed scanning. Minimal output detail; typically paired with follow-up tools. More specialized than RustScan.
ZMap / ZGrab (C-based, Internet-scale scanning)
Academic tools for large-scale, distributed scanning. Different architecture and use case (external reconnaissance) than RustScan (internal/targeted).
Build on RustScan with DEV.co software developers
Our security and DevOps experts can help design scanning workflows, validate licensing, and build custom automation scripts tailored to your infrastructure.
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RustScan FAQ
Can I use RustScan in a commercial product without releasing my source code?
What scripting languages are supported?
Does RustScan replace Nmap?
Is there an SLA or commercial support?
Software developers & web developers for hire
Need help beyond evaluating RustScan? DEV.co is a software development agency offering software development services and web development for teams of every size. Our software developers and web developers build custom software, web applications, APIs, and open-source security integrations — and maintain them long-term.
Need to integrate RustScan into your security pipeline?
Our security and DevOps experts can help design scanning workflows, validate licensing, and build custom automation scripts tailored to your infrastructure.