How to install and run Tsunami on Ubuntu?

Tsunami requires building from source using the provided documentation. Install Java and Maven, clone the repository, and follow the build instructions to compile and execute scans for network targets.

Tsunami vs OpenVAS: which is better for vulnerability scanning?

Tsunami focuses on high-confidence, high-severity detections with an extensible plugin system, while OpenVAS offers a broader range of vulnerability checks out-of-the-box. Tsunami is better for minimizing false positives, but OpenVAS may have more comprehensive coverage without customization.

Can Tsunami scan web applications for vulnerabilities like XSS?

Tsunami's detection depends on available plugins; while it can scan network services, specific web app vulnerabilities require corresponding plugins, which may be limited or need custom development based on the separate plugins repository.

Is Tsunami free to use for commercial purposes?

Yes, Tsunami is open-source under the Apache 2.0 license, allowing free use, modification, and distribution for commercial projects, though it comes with no official support or warranties.

How to write a custom plugin for Tsunami?

Custom plugins can be developed by extending Tsunami's plugin framework. Refer to the documentation for guidelines on implementing detection logic and integrating it into the scanner to add tailored vulnerability checks.

What operating systems does Tsunami support?

Tsunami is built with Java, making it cross-platform, but it primarily targets Linux environments for network scanning. Setup and execution may vary on Windows or macOS, and documentation focuses on Linux-based systems.

Open-Awesome

Tsunami Security Scanner

Apache-2.0Javav0.2.0

A general purpose network security scanner with an extensible plugin system for detecting high severity vulnerabilities.

GitHub

8.6k stars920 forks0 contributors

What is Tsunami Security Scanner?

Tsunami is a general purpose network security scanner developed by Google that detects high severity vulnerabilities in networked systems with high confidence. It uses an extensible plugin system to provide core scanning capabilities, allowing security teams to identify critical security risks across their infrastructure. The scanner is designed to minimize false positives by focusing on high-confidence detections for serious vulnerabilities.

Target Audience

Security engineers, penetration testers, and DevOps teams responsible for securing network infrastructure and performing vulnerability assessments. It is particularly suited for organizations needing a scalable, plugin-based scanner for internal security audits.

Value Proposition

Developers choose Tsunami for its extensible plugin architecture, which allows for custom detection modules and community-driven expansions. Its focus on high-confidence, high-severity vulnerability detection reduces noise and prioritizes critical risks, making it a reliable tool for enterprise security assessments.

Overview

Tsunami is a general purpose network security scanner with an extensible plugin system for detecting high severity vulnerabilities with high confidence.

Use Cases

Best For

Performing internal network vulnerability assessments
Detecting high-severity security flaws in networked services
Building custom security scanning plugins for specific environments
Conducting security audits with minimal false positives
Integrating vulnerability scanning into DevOps pipelines
Educational purposes for learning about network security scanning

Not Ideal For

Organizations seeking a fully managed, cloud-based vulnerability scanning service with minimal setup
Teams needing compliance reporting for specific regulations like PCI DSS without custom plugin development
Small-scale projects or individuals looking for a lightweight, GUI-based security tool with out-of-the-box scans

Pros & Cons

Pros

Extensible Plugin Architecture

Core scanning capabilities are modular and expandable via plugins hosted in a separate repository, enabling community-driven enhancements and customization for specific environments.

High-Confidence Vulnerability Detection

Focuses on identifying high-severity vulnerabilities to minimize false positives, prioritizing critical risks for reliable security assessments.

Scalable Foundation for Assessments

Designed as a general-purpose scanner that can be integrated into DevOps pipelines, allowing for scalable and automated security checks across networked systems.

Open Source Transparency

Built and maintained as an open-source project, it encourages community contributions and provides transparency in scanning logic, fostering trust and collaboration.

Cons

Fragmented Plugin Ecosystem

Plugins are maintained in a separate repository, which can lead to inconsistencies, require manual updates, and limit out-of-the-box detection coverage without custom development.

Complex Setup and Configuration

Requires building from source with dependencies like Java and Maven, and configuring plugins separately, making initial deployment non-trivial for teams without security expertise.

Limited Official Support

Disclaimer states it's not an official Google product, which may result in slower updates, less enterprise support, and reliance on community for troubleshooting.

Frequently Asked Questions

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