AutoPentestX is a powerful open-source automated penetration testing toolkit designed specifically for Linux systems. It enables security professionals, system administrators, and ethical hackers to perform comprehensive security assessments using a single command. Instead of juggling multiple tools manually, AutoPentestX brings everything together into one streamlined workflow.
Developed by Gowtham Darkseid and released in November 2025, the tool focuses on safe, non-destructive testing. This means users can analyze security weaknesses without risking damage to their systems. A key highlight is its ability to generate professional PDF security reports, making it useful for audits, compliance checks, and client presentations.
The toolkit is primarily built for Kali Linux, Ubuntu, and Debian-based distributions, making it accessible to most Linux security practitioners. It automates core security tasks such as operating system detection, port scanning, service enumeration, and vulnerability identification.
Integrated Tools and Core Capabilities
AutoPentestX does not reinvent the wheel; instead, it intelligently integrates industry-standard security tools into a single framework. Some of the major components include:
Nmap – Used for network scanning, open port detection, and OS fingerprinting through the python-nmap library.
Nikto – Performs web server vulnerability checks via subprocess execution.
SQLMap – Detects SQL injection flaws in web applications.
Metasploit – Generates RC scripts for controlled, manual exploit review without executing real attacks.
CVE CIRCL API – Fetches real-time vulnerability data and assigns risk scores based on CVSS metrics.
ReportLab – Creates structured, professional PDF reports in Python.
This modular design allows users to customize scans. For example, you can skip web testing or exploitation checks using command-line flags, which is helpful in sensitive environments.
Installation and Setup
Getting started with AutoPentestX is straightforward. The system requires:
Python 3.8 or higher
Root (sudo) access
Preinstalled tools like Nmap
Users simply clone the GitHub repository and run:
./install.sh
This automatically installs all required dependencies. Alternatively, advanced users can set up a virtual environment and install packages manually using:
pip install -r requirements.txt
How to Use AutoPentestX
Running a full security scan is extremely simple. The basic command is:
./autopentestx.sh <target_IP>
Once launched, the tool performs a complete assessment and stores results in three main directories:
reports/ – Contains generated PDF security reports
logs/ – Stores detailed execution logs
database/ – Keeps scan data inside an SQLite database
Users can customize behavior using flags such as:
--skip-web→ Skips web vulnerability tests--no-safe-mode→ Allows aggressive testing (not recommended)--tester "Your Name"→ Personalizes the report
A typical scan takes 5 to 30 minutes, depending on target size and complexity.
Reports, Risk Scoring, and Safety
AutoPentestX produces highly detailed PDF reports that include:
Executive summary
List of open ports
Detected vulnerabilities with CVE references
Risk classification (CRITICAL for CVSS 9.0+)
Step-by-step remediation recommendations
The tool also assigns weighted risk scores based on exploitability, making prioritization easier for security teams.
A major strength of AutoPentestX is its safe mode, which prevents any destructive actions. Every step is logged for auditing, ensuring transparency and compliance with security policies.
Legal and Ethical Use
AutoPentestX is strictly intended for authorized security testing only. The project includes clear disclaimers against illegal use. Users are responsible for ensuring they have proper permission before scanning any system.
Future Roadmap
The developer has outlined exciting plans, including:
Support for multi-target scanning
Machine learning-based vulnerability prediction
Smarter risk prioritization models