PentestAgent: Revolutionizing Penetration Testing with AI-Driven Playbooks and HexStrike Integration
In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, the demand for advanced tools that can keep pace with sophisticated threats is paramount. Enter PentestAgent, an open-source AI agent framework developed by the researcher known as Masic (GH05TCREW). This innovative tool has recently been enhanced with prebuilt attack playbooks and seamless integration with HexStrike, marking a significant leap forward in automated penetration testing capabilities.
Introduction to PentestAgent
PentestAgent is designed to streamline the penetration testing process by leveraging large language models (LLMs) such as Claude Sonnet or GPT-5 through LiteLLM. This integration enables the tool to perform comprehensive black-box security assessments with a level of sophistication previously unattainable in automated tools. The framework operates via a terminal user interface (TUI), offering various modes to cater to different user needs, including assisted chats, autonomous agents, and multi-agent crews. This flexibility ensures that penetration testers can utilize AI augmentation without relinquishing control over the testing process.
Key Features and Functionalities
One of the standout features of PentestAgent is its structured attack playbooks. These prebuilt workflows are tailored for web application testing, adhering to methodologies like the THP3-style assessments. Users can initiate these playbooks through the command line interface with commands such as:
“`
pentestagent run -t example.com –playbook thp3_web
“`
These playbooks guide the AI through critical phases of penetration testing, including reconnaissance, vulnerability scanning, and exploitation. By incorporating domain-specific knowledge from a Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) system, PentestAgent ensures that the assessments are both thorough and contextually relevant.
During testing sessions, the tool captures notes categorized into credentials, vulnerabilities, findings, or artifacts. These notes are stored in `loot/notes.json` and contribute to a shadow graph in Crew mode. In this mode, an orchestrator deploys specialized workers to provide strategic insights, enhancing the depth and breadth of the security assessment.
Operational Modes
PentestAgent offers three primary operational modes to accommodate various testing scenarios:
1. Assist Mode (Default): This interactive chat mode allows users to direct the flow of the testing process, providing guidance and input as needed.
2. Agent Mode: In this autonomous mode, the tool executes a single task independently, streamlining specific aspects of the penetration test.
3. Crew Mode: This mode orchestrates multiple agents to work collaboratively on complex tasks, offering a comprehensive and coordinated approach to penetration testing.
The tool is equipped with built-in utilities, including a terminal for executing commands like `nmap` and `sqlmap`, a browser facilitated by Playwright, and functionalities for note-taking and web searches (requiring the Tavily API). The TUI commands, such as `/target
Setup and Installation
Setting up PentestAgent is straightforward for environments running Python 3.10 or later. The installation process involves cloning the repository and running the appropriate setup scripts for the operating system:
“`
git clone https://github.com/GH05TCREW/pentestagent.git
“`
For Windows:
“`
.\scripts\setup.ps1
“`
For Linux/macOS:
“`
./scripts/setup.sh
“`
Users must configure the `.env` file with an API key, for example:
“`
ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-…
PENTESTAGENT_MODEL=claude-sonnet-4-20250514
“`
Additionally, installing Chromium via Playwright is necessary:
“`
playwright install chromium
“`
For those preferring containerized environments, PentestAgent offers Docker support. Users can pull pre-built images, such as:
“`
ghcr.io/gh05tcrew/pentestagent:kali
“`
This image comes packed with tools like Metasploit and Hydra. To run the container:
“`
docker run -it –rm -e ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=your-key ghcr.io/gh05tcrew/pentestagent:kali
“`
Local builds can be managed using Docker Compose, providing flexibility and isolation for testing environments.
HexStrike Integration
A notable enhancement in the latest update is the integration with HexStrike, a Model Context Protocol (MCP) framework. This integration exposes advanced penetration testing tools, including scoring mechanisms and workflows, through the `mcp_servers.json` configuration. To install HexStrike dependencies manually:
“`
scripts/install_hexstrike_deps.sh
“`
Users can add configurations like:
“`
pentestagent mcp add nmap npx -y gc-nmap-mcp
“`
Command-line interface management commands such as `pentestagent tools list` and `mcp test` ensure extensibility and ease of use. Recent updates to the TUI have also improved stability for long-running tasks, enhancing the overall user experience.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
It’s imperative to emphasize that PentestAgent is intended for legal and ethical use only. Users must ensure they have explicit authorization before testing any systems. Unauthorized access to computer systems is illegal and can result in severe legal consequences. PentestAgent is a powerful tool designed to assist security professionals in identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities within authorized environments.
Conclusion
PentestAgent represents a significant advancement in the field of automated penetration testing. By combining AI-driven methodologies with structured playbooks and integrating with frameworks like HexStrike, it offers security professionals a robust and flexible tool for conducting comprehensive security assessments. As cyber threats continue to evolve, tools like PentestAgent will be instrumental in helping organizations stay ahead of potential vulnerabilities and secure their digital assets effectively.
