OpenVAS in Kali Linux: The Ultimate Guide to Powerful Vulnerability Scanning and Network Security

OpenVAS in Kali Linux: The Ultimate Guide to Powerful Vulnerability Scanning and Network Security

In the field of cybersecurity, vulnerability assessment is one of the most crucial steps toward building a secure network. A single unpatched system can become the entry point for attackers, leading to massive data breaches. This is where OpenVAS in Kali Linux becomes a game-changer.

OpenVAS (Open Vulnerability Assessment System) is an advanced, open-source vulnerability scanner used by professionals worldwide. When combined with the power of Kali Linux, it transforms into one of the most reliable platforms for network scanning, system auditing, and penetration testing.

In this detailed article, we’ll explore what OpenVAS is, how it works in Kali Linux, how to install and configure it, its advantages, real-world applications, and best practices to make the most out of it.

What Is OpenVAS?

OpenVAS (Open Vulnerability Assessment System) is a comprehensive framework designed to detect security vulnerabilities in systems and networks. It’s developed and maintained by Greenbone Networks and is part of the Greenbone Vulnerability Management (GVM) platform.

OpenVAS provides:

• Regularly updated vulnerability tests (NVTs)
• Detailed security reports
• Remote and local scans
• Configuration management for enterprise-grade analysis

When you use OpenVAS in Kali Linux, you get a built-in, stable environment that integrates seamlessly with penetration testing workflows.

Why Use OpenVAS in Kali Linux?

There are many reasons why ethical hackers, network administrators, and IT professionals prefer OpenVAS in Kali Linux:

1. Open Source and Free

OpenVAS is completely open-source. You get enterprise-level features without expensive licenses — perfect for both beginners and professionals.

2. Comprehensive Vulnerability Detection

It scans for tens of thousands of known vulnerabilities across multiple operating systems, applications, and services.

3. Regularly Updated Feed

OpenVAS automatically updates its Network Vulnerability Tests (NVTs) from Greenbone’s public feed, ensuring the latest threat coverage.

4. Integration with Kali Linux Tools

Because Kali Linux is built for ethical hacking, OpenVAS easily integrates with tools like Nmap, Nikto, and Metasploit, allowing multi-layered assessments.

5. Enterprise-Grade Security Reports

It provides detailed vulnerability reports, risk ratings, and remediation recommendations — essential for audits and compliance.

Installing OpenVAS in Kali Linux

Setting up OpenVAS in Kali Linux is straightforward. Let’s go step-by-step.

Step 1: Update Kali Linux

Before installation, make sure your system is fully updated:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 2: Install OpenVAS

Run the following command to install OpenVAS (now called GVM):

sudo apt install openvas -y

Step 3: Setup OpenVAS

Once installed, initialize the setup with:

sudo gvm-setup

This process downloads the latest vulnerability feeds and configures all services. It may take several minutes depending on your network speed.

Step 4: Start the Service

After setup completes:

sudo gvm-start

You’ll see a message showing a web interface URL, usually:

https://127.0.0.1:9392

Open that URL in your browser to access the OpenVAS Web Interface (Greenbone Security Assistant).

Step 5: Login

Use the default credentials displayed during setup:

• Username: admin
• Password: (generated during setup)

Once logged in, you’re ready to perform scans.

Understanding OpenVAS Components

OpenVAS in Kali Linux includes several key components that work together for complete vulnerability assessment:

Component	Description
Scanner	The core engine that performs vulnerability checks.
Manager	Controls scan tasks and stores scan results.
Greenbone Security Assistant (GSA)	Web interface for managing scans and reports.
Feed	Contains NVTs, CVEs, and SCAP data for up-to-date scans.

How to Run a Basic Scan in OpenVAS

1. Login to GSA (Web Interface).
   Navigate to https://127.0.0.1:9392 and log in.
2. Create a Target.
   Go to Configuration → Targets and enter the IP or hostname you want to scan.
3. Create a Task.
   Under Scans → Tasks, create a new task and assign the target.
4. Start Scan.
   Click on “Start” to begin scanning. OpenVAS will analyze the target and display real-time progress.
5. View Report.
   Once completed, go to Reports to review detected vulnerabilities, risk scores, and remediation advice.

Types of Scans Available in OpenVAS

• Full and Fast Scan: Quick assessment with minimal impact.
• Full and Deep Scan: Thorough examination of all ports and services.
• Web Application Scan: Detects web-based vulnerabilities.
• System Discovery Scan: Identifies live hosts on a network.
• Custom Scan: Lets users define specific ports, credentials, or scan parameters.

Benefits of Using OpenVAS in Kali Linux

1. Free and constantly updated vulnerability database.
2. Accurate detection of security flaws and misconfigurations.
3. Customizable scanning policies for advanced users.
4. Detailed risk reports with CVSS (Common Vulnerability Scoring System) ratings.
5. Integration with Metasploit for post-scan exploitation.
6. Automation support for scheduled scans and continuous monitoring.

OpenVAS vs Nessus vs Nexpose

Feature	OpenVAS	Nessus	Nexpose
License	Free (Open Source)	Commercial	Commercial
Feed Updates	Daily	Regular	Regular
OS Support	Linux only	Multi-Platform	Multi-Platform
Integration	Excellent with Kali	Moderate	Moderate
Custom Scans	Yes	Yes	Yes
Ideal for	Ethical Hackers, Students	Enterprises	Corporations

For most ethical hackers and learners, OpenVAS in Kali Linux is the perfect free alternative to Nessus.

Common Issues and Fixes

1. Feed Update Fails

Run:

sudo greenbone-feed-sync --type GVMD_DATA

2. Service Not Starting

Try restarting services:

sudo gvm-stop
sudo gvm-start

3. Web Interface Not Loading

Check the status:

sudo netstat -tulnp | grep 9392

If it’s not running, reinitialize GSA.

Securing Your OpenVAS Installation

While OpenVAS in Kali Linux is secure by default, you can enhance its safety with these measures:

• Change default admin password after installation.
• Use HTTPS with a valid SSL certificate.
• Limit web access using firewall rules.
• Schedule automatic feed updates.
• Regularly back up scan results and configurations.

Real-World Uses of OpenVAS

1. Enterprise Security Auditing
   Companies use OpenVAS to detect outdated software and weak configurations.
2. Network Monitoring
   IT teams perform scheduled scans to ensure systems remain secure.
3. Penetration Testing
   Ethical hackers integrate OpenVAS with Metasploit to test exploitability.
4. Compliance Reporting
   Helps organizations meet security standards like ISO 27001, PCI-DSS, and GDPR.
5. Education and Training
   Students learn vulnerability assessment and mitigation in cybersecurity labs.

Advantages of OpenVAS in Kali Linux

• Automated vulnerability scanning with in-depth analysis.
• Free and open-source alternative to commercial scanners.
• Easy to install on Kali Linux.
• Large global community for support and knowledge sharing.
• Integration with other pentesting tools for complete security assessment.

Conclusion

OpenVAS in Kali Linux is one of the most powerful and reliable vulnerability scanning systems available today. It allows ethical hackers, security researchers, and IT professionals to detect, analyze, and fix vulnerabilities before attackers exploit them.

Whether you’re managing enterprise networks or running your own lab, OpenVAS in Kali Linux provides professional-grade scanning and reporting without any cost. It’s open-source, constantly updated, and designed for real-world cybersecurity challenges.

In short, mastering OpenVAS in Kali is a must for anyone serious about cybersecurity and ethical hacking. Check out OpenVas website for more information.

FAQs About OpenVAS in Kali Linux