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OpenVAS

The OpenVAS Masterclass: Professional Vulnerability Assessment & Remediation

OpenVAS (Open Vulnerability Assessment Scanner) is a powerful open-source vulnerability scanner used by penetration testers and security analysts for network, server, and web application assessment. It features deep authenticated/unauthenticated scans, custom policies, reporting, and integration with enterprise workflows.

I. Environment Setup: Dynamic Variables

Prepare repeatable, organized scanning sessions:

export TARGETS="targets.txt"               # List of hosts/IPs/networks
export SCAN_TASK="HTB Internal Audit"
export SCAN_CONFIG="Full and fast"         # Common configs: "Full and fast", "Full and very deep", "Web application scan", custom
export OUTPUT_DIR="openvas-results"
export REPORT_FILE="$OUTPUT_DIR/scan_report.html"
export CREDENTIALS_TYPE="SSH"
export CREDENTIALS_USER="vagrant"
export CREDENTIALS_PASS="vagrant"
export SCHEDULE="Weekly Audit"

II. Core Capabilities & Workflow

  • Comprehensive Vulnerability Coverage: Scans servers, endpoints, web apps, devices for tens of thousands of CVEs and misconfigurations using regularly updated Network Vulnerability Tests (NVTs)[1][2][3].

  • Authenticated & Unauthenticated Scans: Deep assessments of internal software, patch status, configuration, leveraging credentials for OS-level review. Unauthenticated for attacker’s view[1][3].

  • Custom & Compliance Policies: Configure scan policies/templates for targeted, full, web, compliance (PCI, ISO, CIS, HIPAA, custom)[1][3].

  • Extensible Plugin Architecture: Massive, open plugin library (NVTs), supported by daily community and commercial updates[3][2].

  • Reporting & Risk Prioritization: CVSS-based severity, exploitability, asset groups, actionable remediation advice, and trend analytics[3][2].

  • Automation: Recurring scan scheduling, API integrations, export/reporting for SOC, SIEM, or ticketing[3][1].

III. Professional Usage Workflow & Examples

1. Configure & Launch Scan

  • Use Greenbone Security Assistant (GSA) web UI or Greenbone Vulnerability Manager (GVMd) API.

  • Set scan config: e.g., “Full and fast”, “Web app scan”.

  • Import targets.txt for bulk scanning.

2. Credentialed (Authenticated) Scanning

  • Add credentials: SSH for Linux/Unix; SMB/RDP for Windows.

  • Scan config detects hidden vulns, weak permissions, default creds, patch gaps.

3. Performance/Tuning

  • Throttle scan speed for fragile devices, use asset filters, tune NVTs, plugins, limit network range.

  • Parallel/distributed scanning if available.

4. Recurring, Automated Assessments

  • Schedule daily/weekly scans (SCHEDULE) or event-driven.

  • Enable automatic NVT feed updates.

5. Review & Analyze Results

  • Critical/high vulns, grouped by CVSS, asset, exploitability.

  • Export in HTML, PDF, XML, CSV for reporting/remediation[1][3].

6. Remediation & Integration

  • Push findings/tickets directly to ITSM or SIEM.

  • Map remediation steps directly from OpenVAS report.

  • Trend reporting, asset tracking for compliance.

IV. Advanced Techniques & Scenarios

  • Targeted App/Host Scanning: Scan select services (SSH, SMB, web only); use custom asset groups.

  • Custom Policy/Plugin Management: Develop custom NVTs for specialized needs or non-standard protocols.

  • Compliance & Hardening Benchmarks: Upload or build audit files for internal/industry policies (PCI, CIS, ISO).

  • API Integration: Initiate, manage, and export scans from CI/CD, SOC, vulnerability management platforms via RESTful API[3].

  • Trend Analysis & Change Tracking: Compare scans over time, measure remediation and new risk exposure.

V. Real-World Workflow Example

  1. Prepare Targets and Credentials

    export TARGETS="hosts_internal.txt"
export CREDENTIALS_USER="admin"
export CREDENTIALS_PASS="strongpass"

  2. Create Scheduled Scan

    • “Full and fast” config for weekly audits.

  3. Run Credentialed Scan

    • Detect patch gaps, privilege issues, local flaws.

  4. Review & Export Findings

    • Export HTML/PDF report for IT, patch management.

  5. Remediation and Validation

    • Push tickets, document fixes, run repeat scan to verify.

VI. Pro Tips & Best Practices

  • Regularly update NVTs for the latest vulnerability coverage[2][3].

  • Always perform credentialed scans for deeper, actionable results (where possible)[2].

  • Tune scan configs for fragile or mission-critical assets.

  • Prioritize remediation based on CVSS severity and exploitability.

  • Integrate with SIEM, ticketing, and asset management for efficient tracking and compliance.

  • Automate scans for ongoing security posture and rapid response to emerging threats.

  • Document configurations, policies, and remediation steps for audit/compliance.

This professional OpenVAS guide empowers you to run deep, flexible vulnerability assessments, prioritize remediation, and integrate with enterprise workflows for robust security management.

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