Grendel Scan 1.0: Automatic Security Check for Web Applications
Grendel Scan version 1.0, a Web application testing tools, was introduced at the Defcon Security Conference in Las Vegas.
The Open Source tool was implemented in Java and is thus available for a variety of platforms. It uses Java components from the Apache project, Mozilla's Rhino Javascript engine, and the database from the free Nikto scanner.
Grendel Scan can run as a proxy between the browser and the website under investigation to allow the tester to view and manipulate the HTTP traffic. The application covers a wide selection of tests including cross-site scripting (XSS), cross-site request forgery (CSRF), SQL injection, and session management vulnerabilities.
A Powerpoint presentation by the developers provides a useful overview of Grendel Scan's features.
Grendel Scan's makers, David Byrne and Eric Duprey, point to the fact that their software automates tests for trivial vulnerabilities as one of the major benefits. This helps qualified security staff to save time more usefully spent performing more complex manual tests. According to the developers, the tool does not remove the need for individual security tests and code reviews, which are still necessary to guarantee the security of any Web application. For example, a tool like Grendel Scan is unable to detect vulnerabilities in the application's logic or design.
There is no need to resolve any dependencies, apart from Java 5, for the GPLv3 licensed tool. The project's download page offers the Grendel Scan 1.0 source code along with builds for Linux, Windows, and Mac OS X. On top of this, there is a Slax-based live CD with the scanner and a flawed Web application for demonstration purposes. The ISO image still uses Grendel Scan version 0.9, however.
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you've found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Zorin OS 17 Beta Available for Testing
The upcoming version of Zorin OS includes plenty of improvements to take your PC to a whole new level of user-friendliness.
-
Red Hat Migrates RHEL from Xorg to Wayland
If you've been wondering when Xorg will finally be a thing of the past, wonder no more, as Red Hat has made it clear.
-
PipeWire 1.0 Officially Released
PipeWire was created to take the place of the oft-troubled PulseAudio and has finally reached the 1.0 status as a major update with plenty of improvements and the usual bug fixes.
-
Rocky Linux 9.3 Available for Download
The latest version of the RHEL alternative is now available and brings back cloud and container images for ppc64le along with plenty of new features and fixes.
-
Ubuntu Budgie Shifts How to Tackle Wayland
Ubuntu Budgie has yet to make the switch to Wayland but with a change in approaches, they're finally on track to making it happen.
-
TUXEDO's New Ultraportable Linux Workstation Released
The TUXEDO Pulse 14 blends portability with power, thanks to the AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS CPU.
-
AlmaLinux Will No Longer Be "Just Another RHEL Clone"
With the release of AlmaLinux 9.3, the distribution will be built entirely from upstream sources.
-
elementary OS 8 Has a Big Surprise in Store
When elementary OS 8 finally arrives, it will not only be based on Ubuntu 24.04 but it will also default to Wayland for better performance and security.
-
OpenELA Releases Enterprise Linux Source Code
With Red Hat restricting the source for RHEL, it was only a matter of time before those who depended on that source struck out on their own.
-
StripedFly Malware Hiding in Plain Sight as a Cryptocurrency Miner
A rather deceptive piece of malware has infected 1 million Windows and Linux hosts since 2017.