Practical Vulnerability Scanning Made Easy with ChatGPT

This article is an excerpt from the book, ChatGPT for Cybersecurity Cookbook, by Clint Bodungen. This book will help you master ChatGPT and the OpenAI API, and harness the power of cutting-edge generative AI and large language models to revolutionize the way you perform penetration testing, threat detection, and risk assessment.

Vulnerability scanning is crucial for identifying weaknesses before exploitation. Navigating tools like NMAP, OpenVAS, or Nessus can be complex, especially for newcomers. Our article uses ChatGPT to generate command strings based on user input, simplifying the process. By following this recipe, you can generate precise command strings for NMAP, OpenVAS, or Nessus, confidently navigating their functionalities. Whether you're a cybersecurity beginner or an expert, this recipe is a valuable tool for vulnerability assessments.

Getting ready 

Before we begin this recipe, it's essential to ensure that you have properly set up your OpenAI account and obtained your API key. Additionally, you will require the following: 

• Vulnerability Scanning Tools: It's crucial to have NMAP, OpenVAS, or Nessus installed on your system as the recipe generates command strings for these specific tools. Please refer to their official documentation for installation and setup guidelines.
   
•  Basic Understanding of the Tools: The more familiar you are with NMAP, OpenVAS, or Nessus, the better you will be able to utilize this recipe. If you're new to these tools, consider spending some time understanding their basic functionalities and command-line options. 
• Command Line Environment: As the recipe generates command strings intended for command line interfaces, you should have access to a suitable command line environment where you can run these commands.
•  Sample Network Configuration Data: Prepare some sample network data that the vulnerability scanning tools can use. This could include IP addresses, hostnames, or other relevant information about the systems you'd like to scan. 

How to do it… 

In this recipe, we'll show you how to use ChatGPT to create command strings for vulnerability scanning tools like NMAP, OpenVAS, and Nessus. We'll be providing ChatGPT with the necessary details and using a specific system role and prompt. This will allow you to generate the simplest form of the command necessary to complete your request. 

1. Start by logging in to your OpenAI account and go to the ChatGPT web UI. 
2. Begin a new conversation with ChatGPT by clicking on the "New Chat" button. 
3. Next, establish the system's role by entering the following: 
   
   You are a professional cybersecurity red team specialist and an expert in penetration testing as well as vulnerability scanning tools such as NMap, OpenVAS, Nessus, Burpsuite, Metasploit, and more. 
    
4. Now, prepare your request. This is the information that will replace the {user_input} in the next step. It should be a natural language request such as: 
   
   Use the command line version of OpenVAS to scan my 192.168.20.0 class C network starting by identifying hosts that are up, then look for running web servers, and then perform a vulnerability scan of those web servers. 
    
5. Once your request is ready, enter the following message text, replacing the {user_input} placeholder with your specific request from the previous step: 
   
   Provide me with the Linux command necessary to complete the following request: 
 
{user_input} 
 
Assume I have all necessary apps, tools, and commands necessary to complete the request. Provide me with the command only and do not generate anything further. Do not provide any explanation. Provide the simplest form of the command possible unless I ask for special options, considerations, output, etc. If the request does require a compound command provide all necessary operators, pipes, etc. as a single one-line command. Do not provide me more than one variation or more than one line.
    
6. ChatGPT will then generate the command string based on your request. Review the output. If it meets your requirements, you can proceed to copy the command and use it as needed. If it doesn't, you may need to refine your request and try again. 
    
7. Once you've obtained a satisfactory command, you can copy it and paste it directly into your command line to perform the vulnerability scan as described in your request. 

Note 

Remember, it's important to review and understand any command before running it in your environment. While ChatGPT aims to provide accurate commands, you are ultimately responsible for ensuring the command's safety and appropriateness for your specific context. 

Figure 1 shows an example ChatGPT command generated from the prompt used in this recipe. 

Figure 1 – Example ChatGPT Command Generation 

How it works… 

The GPT-assisted vulnerability scanning recipe taps into the power of natural language processing (NLP) and the vast knowledge of machine learning algorithms to generate accurate and appropriate command strings for vulnerability scanning tools like NMAP, OpenVAS, and Nessus. When you provide a specific system role and a prompt that represents a user request, ChatGPT uses these inputs to understand the context and generate a response that aligns with the given role. 

1. System Role Definition: By defining ChatGPT's role as a professional cybersecurity red team specialist and an expert in penetration testing and vulnerability scanning tools, you're instructing the model to answer from a perspective of deep technical understanding and expertise in this field. This context helps in generating accurate and relevant command strings. 
2. Natural Language Prompt: The natural language prompt that simulates a user request allows ChatGPT to understand the task at hand in a human-like manner. Instead of needing structured data or specific keywords, ChatGPT can interpret the request as a human would and provide a suitable response. 
3. Command Generation: With the role and the prompt, ChatGPT generates the Linux command necessary to complete the request. The command is based on the specific details of the user input and the expertise of the assigned role. This is where the AI leverages its knowledge of cybersecurity and language understanding to construct the necessary command string. 
4. One-Line Command: The specification of providing a one-line command, including all necessary operators and pipes, compels ChatGPT to generate a command that's ready to be pasted into a command line for immediate execution. This removes the need for the user to manually combine or modify the command, saving time and potential errors. 
5. Simplicity and Clarity: By asking for the simplest form of the command and without any further explanation, the output is kept clear and concise, which is particularly helpful for those learning or in need of a quick reference. 

In summary, the GPT-assisted vulnerability scanning recipe harnesses the power of NLP and machine learning algorithms to generate precise, ready-to-run commands for vulnerability scanning. By using the defined system role and prompt, users can streamline the process of crafting commands for vulnerability assessments, save time, and improve accuracy. 

There’s more… 

The flexibility and capabilities of this GPT-assisted process extend beyond the example given. First is the versatility of the prompt. It's actually designed to accommodate virtually any request for any Linux command across any domain or task. This is a significant advantage as it enables you to leverage ChatGPT's capabilities across a wide range of scenarios. By assigning the role appropriately, such as "You are a Linux system administrator", and substituting your specific request in place of {user_input}, you can guide the AI to generate accurate and context-specific command strings for a plethora of Linux operations. 

Beyond simply generating command strings, the potential of this recipe is amplified when combined with the OpenAI API and Python. With the proper setup, you can not only generate the necessary Linux commands but also automate the execution of these commands. Essentially, this could turn ChatGPT into an active participant in your command-line operations, potentially saving you significant time and effort. This level of automation represents a substantial step forward in interacting with AI models, turning them into active assistants rather than passive information generators. 

In upcoming recipes in this book, we'll delve deeper into command automation. This is just the beginning of the possibilities opened up by the integration of AI with your operating system tasks.  

Summary:

This article highlights vulnerability assessment and the role of ChatGPT in simplifying the process. ChatGPT offers the ability to simulate attack scenarios, identify weaknesses, and generate reports. However, it is crucial to remember that vulnerability assessment requires human expertise and judgment. ChatGPT should be used as a supplementary tool alongside human analysis to enhance cybersecurity measures and mitigate emerging threats

Author Bio

Clint Bodungen is a cybersecurity professional with 25+ years of experience and the author of Hacking Exposed: Industrial Control Systems. He began his career in the United States Air Force and has since many of the world's largest energy companies and organizations, working for notable cybersecurity companies such as Symantec, Kaspersky Lab, and Booz Allen Hamilton. He has published multiple articles, technical papers, and training courses on cybersecurity and aims to revolutionize cybersecurity education using computer gaming (“gamification”) and AI technology. His flagship product, ThreatGEN® Red vs. Blue, is the world’s first online multiplayer cybersecurity simulation game, designed to teach real-world cybersecurity.    

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Clint has some exciting courses around ChatGPT for Cybersecurity