beef

beef-xss [-c config] [-x interface] [-p port] [-v]

BeEF (Browser Exploitation Framework) is a penetration testing tool focused on exploiting vulnerabilities in web browsers. Unlike traditional network-based tools, BeEF targets the client-side attack surface by injecting JavaScript hooks into web pages.When a target browser loads a page containing the BeEF hook script, it establishes a persistent connection to the BeEF control panel. Security professionals can then execute various command modules against the hooked browser, testing for vulnerabilities like XSS, session hijacking, and social engineering attacks.The tool provides a web-based UI accessible at http://127.0.0.1:3000/ui/panel by default. The hook script is served at http://\<IP\>:3000/hook.js and must be embedded in target pages via a script tag.

-c _config_

Path to a custom YAML configuration file

Network interface to bind the server

Port number to listen on (default: 3000)

Enable verbose output

Display help and available options. On first run, BeEF prompts to set a password if default credentials are detected.

/etc/beef-xss/config.yaml

Main configuration file on Kali Linux installations. Controls network settings, credentials, and enabled extensions.

Alternative location for the main configuration file in package installations.

BeEF is intended exclusively for authorized penetration testing. Using it without explicit written permission from the target system owner is illegal and may result in severe legal consequences. Always ensure proper authorization before conducting any browser exploitation tests.

BeEF was originally created by Wade Alcorn in 2006 as a research project to demonstrate browser security weaknesses. It became an open-source project and gained popularity in the security community. The tool is now maintained by a community of contributors and is included in security-focused Linux distributions like Kali Linux.

bettercap(1), mitmproxy(1), nikto(1), burpsuite(1)