Vulnerability scanning tools (Nessus, OpenVAS) in Cybersecurity - Interactive Code Practice

Practice - 5 Tasks

1fill in blank

easy

Complete the sentence to identify a popular vulnerability scanning tool.

Cybersecurity

One widely used vulnerability scanner is called [1].

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

ANessus

BPhotoshop

CExcel

DWordPress

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Confusing Nessus with unrelated software like Photoshop or Excel.

Nessus is a popular tool used to scan systems for security weaknesses.

2fill in blank

medium

Complete the sentence to name an open-source vulnerability scanning tool.

Cybersecurity

An open-source alternative to Nessus is called [1].

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

AWireshark

BOpenVAS

CChrome

DSlack

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Choosing unrelated software like Wireshark or Chrome.

OpenVAS is an open-source vulnerability scanner used to find security issues.

3fill in blank

hard

Fix the error by selecting the correct term describing what vulnerability scanners do.

Cybersecurity

Vulnerability scanners [1] systems to find security weaknesses.

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

Apaint

Bignore

Cscan

Ddelete

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using unrelated verbs like paint or delete.

Vulnerability scanners scan systems to detect security issues.

4fill in blank

hard

Fill both blanks to complete the sentence about the output of vulnerability scanners.

Cybersecurity

The scanner generates a [1] report that lists [2] found on the system.

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

Adetailed

Bmusic

Cvulnerabilities

Dpictures

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Choosing unrelated words like music or pictures.

Vulnerability scanners produce a detailed report listing vulnerabilities found.

5fill in blank

hard

Fill all three blanks to describe how vulnerability scanners help improve security.

Cybersecurity

By [1] vulnerabilities, organizations can [2] their systems and [3] risks.

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

Aidentifying

Bstrengthen

Creduce

Dignoring

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Selecting 'ignoring' which is the opposite of what scanners help with.

By identifying vulnerabilities, organizations can strengthen their systems and reduce risks.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of vulnerability scanning tools like Nessus and OpenVAS?

easy

A. To create new software applications

B. To automatically find security weaknesses in systems

C. To manage user accounts and passwords

D. To encrypt data for secure communication

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the role of vulnerability scanning tools

   These tools scan computer systems to find security weaknesses automatically.

2. Step 2: Compare options with the tool's purpose

   Only To automatically find security weaknesses in systems describes finding security weaknesses, which matches the tool's main function.

3. Final Answer:

   To automatically find security weaknesses in systems -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Vulnerability scanning = find security weaknesses [OK]

Hint: Remember: scanning tools find weaknesses automatically [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing scanning tools with software development tools
• Thinking they manage user accounts
• Assuming they encrypt data

2. Which of the following commands correctly starts a scan using Nessus from the command line?

easy

A. nessuscli scan start

B. openvas --launch

C. scan nessus begin

D. nessus --start-scan

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify correct command syntax for Nessus CLI

   Nessus uses the command line tool nessuscli with subcommands like scan start to begin scans.

2. Step 2: Check each option

   nessuscli scan start matches the correct syntax. Options A, B, and C are incorrect commands. openvas --launch is for OpenVAS, not Nessus.

3. Final Answer:

   nessuscli scan start -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Nessus CLI uses 'nessuscli scan start' [OK]

Hint: Nessus CLI commands start with 'nessuscli' [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Mixing OpenVAS commands with Nessus
• Using incorrect command order
• Assuming simple flags like '--start-scan' work

3. Consider this simplified output snippet from an OpenVAS scan report:

Host: 192.168.1.10
Vulnerabilities found: 3
 - CVE-2021-1234: High
 - CVE-2020-5678: Medium
 - CVE-2019-0001: Low

What does this output tell you?

medium

A. The scan failed to complete on the host

B. The scan found no vulnerabilities on the host

C. The host is fully secure with no risks

D. The host has three security issues with different severity levels

Solution

1. Step 1: Read the scan report details

   The report lists three vulnerabilities found on the host with severity levels High, Medium, and Low.

2. Step 2: Interpret the meaning of vulnerabilities found

   Since vulnerabilities are listed, the host has security issues. It is not fully secure or failed scan.

3. Final Answer:

   The host has three security issues with different severity levels -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Vulnerabilities listed = security issues found [OK]

Hint: Vulnerabilities listed means issues found [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Ignoring the vulnerability count
• Assuming no vulnerabilities means secure
• Confusing scan failure with vulnerabilities

4. You run an OpenVAS scan but get no results even though you know vulnerabilities exist. Which of these is the most likely cause?

medium

A. The target system is offline

B. OpenVAS does not detect vulnerabilities

C. The scan was run without proper credentials or permissions

D. The scan tool is outdated but still shows results

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze why no results appear despite known vulnerabilities

   Without proper credentials or permissions, OpenVAS cannot access detailed info to find vulnerabilities.

2. Step 2: Evaluate other options

   OpenVAS does not detect vulnerabilities is false; OpenVAS detects vulnerabilities. The target system is offline would cause scan failure, not empty results. The scan tool is outdated but still shows results contradicts showing results.

3. Final Answer:

   The scan was run without proper credentials or permissions -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Missing credentials = no vulnerability data [OK]

Hint: No results often mean missing permissions [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming OpenVAS never detects vulnerabilities
• Confusing offline system with empty results
• Ignoring credential requirements

5. You want to schedule regular vulnerability scans on your network using Nessus. Which approach best ensures continuous security monitoring?

hard

A. Set up automated scheduled scans with email alerts for new vulnerabilities

B. Run manual scans only when a security breach is suspected

C. Disable scans to avoid network slowdowns

D. Scan only once a year during audits

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand best practices for vulnerability scanning

   Regular automated scans with alerts help detect new issues early and maintain security.

2. Step 2: Compare options for continuous monitoring

   Set up automated scheduled scans with email alerts for new vulnerabilities supports continuous monitoring. Options B, C, and D delay detection or reduce security.

3. Final Answer:

   Set up automated scheduled scans with email alerts for new vulnerabilities -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Automated scheduled scans = continuous security [OK]

Hint: Automate scans with alerts for best security [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Waiting for breaches before scanning
• Disabling scans to save resources
• Scanning only during audits