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The Cybersecurity Project Handbook: 32 Hands-On Projects for Offensive, Defensive & Emerging Domains

Project Chapter 3

Chapter 3 — VulnXplorer

Based on: SIH1684 — Agentless Vulnerability Scanner (NTRO)
Skills required: Network pentesting, Nmap scripting, Burp Suite, OWASP ZAP, Kali Linux, Python

Project Description

VulnXplorer is a next-generation agentless penetration testing toolkit designed to perform comprehensive vulnerability assessments without requiring agents on target machines. It integrates network discovery, service fingerprinting, web application scanning, and CVE identification into a unified framework. The toolkit supports plugin-based extensibility for custom scans and is designed to generate detailed risk-prioritized reports with actionable remediation guidance.

Tech Stack & Tools

  • Python (core engine, plugins)
  • Nmap with NSE scripting (network scanning and fingerprinting)
  • Burp Suite/ZAP (web application security testing)
  • OpenVAS (vulnerability scanning)
  • Elasticsearch/SQLite (reporting backend)
  • Flask/FastAPI (API and web frontend)
  • Kali Linux environment (development and testing)

Week-wise Roadmap (8 Weeks)

Week 1 — Target Discovery & Network Scanning

  • Setup Kali Linux dev environment with required tools.
  • Implement network discovery module using Nmap scanning techniques.
  • Develop Nmap NSE-based scripts for service and banner grabbing.
  • Deliverable: Initial asset discovery tool with host/service details.

Week 2 — Service Fingerprinting & CVE Mapping

  • Enhance service identification using banner analysis and protocol heuristics.
  • Build CVE mapping database linking identified services to known vulnerabilities (CPE/CVE data from NVD).
  • Deliverable: CVE lookup module connected to fingerprint results.

Week 3 — Web Application Scanning Integration

  • Integrate Burp Suite or OWASP ZAP APIs for automated web application scanning.
  • Develop crawler and spider modules for traversing target web applications.
  • Deliverable: Automated web application discovery and vulnerability reports.

Week 4 — Plugin Architecture & Custom Checks

  • Design and implement a plugin system for custom vulnerability checks.
  • Create userscriptable plugin examples for common exploits (SQLi, XSS).
  • Deliverable: Plugin manager and sample exploit detection plugins.

Week 5 — Risk Scoring & Report Generation

  • Develop risk scoring algorithm combining network and web scan results.
  • Implement report generator for exportable detailed PDF and JSON formats.
  • Deliverable: Risk-prioritized comprehensive vulnerability reports.

Week 6 — Web API & Dashboard

  • Build RESTful API exposing scan functions and results.
  • Develop React dashboard for managing scans, viewing live progress, and analyzing reports.
  • Deliverable: Functional dashboard with scan job controls and result views.

Week 7 — Scheduling & Automation

  • Implement scheduled and on-demand scan management.
  • Add notification and alert features via email/slack integrations.
  • Deliverable: Automated scan scheduler with alerting support.

Week 8 — Final Testing & Documentation

  • Run test scans against known vulnerable machines and applications.
  • Document installation, configuration, plugin creation, and user guides.
  • Deliverable: Final tested codebase, comprehensive user and developer documentation.

Testing and Deliverables

  • Set up test lab with vulnerable hosts (e.g., Metasploitable, OWASP Juice Shop).
  • Validate detection accuracy and false positive/negative rates.
  • Provide final deliverables: source code repository, demo VM snapshots, example reports, user manual, and a recorded demo walkthrough.