---
name: hexstrike-ai-pentest
description: MCP-based cybersecurity automation with 150+ tools and 12 AI agents. Use when running automated pentests, solving CTF challenges, conducting bug bounty reconnaissance, or orchestrating vulnerability scanning via MCP.
domain: cybersecurity
subdomain: penetration-testing
tags:
- pentest
- mcp
- automation
- bug-bounty
- ctf
- vulnerability-scanning
---

# HexStrike AI Pentest

## Overview

HexStrike AI is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) based cybersecurity automation platform that integrates 150+ security tools with 12 AI agents. It works with Claude Desktop, VS Code, and Cursor as an MCP server, enabling AI-driven security testing through natural language commands.

**Source:** https://github.com/0x4m4/hexstrike-ai
**Architecture:** MCP server with 150+ tool wrappers and 12 AI agent modules
**Integration:** Claude Desktop, VS Code (Continue), Cursor, any MCP-compatible client
**License:** Open source

## When to Use

- Automated penetration testing with AI-driven tool selection
- CTF challenges requiring multi-tool orchestration
- Bug bounty reconnaissance and vulnerability scanning
- Need to integrate security tools into an AI coding assistant
- Automated vulnerability correlation across multiple scanner outputs

## Tool Categories (150+ Tools)

| Tool | Purpose |
|------|---------|
| Burp Suite | Web application security testing proxy |
| Metasploit | Exploitation framework for penetration testing |
| Nmap | Network discovery and security auditing |
| Impacket | Python library for network protocol interaction |
### Network Reconnaissance (25+ tools)
Port scanning, service enumeration, DNS analysis, subdomain discovery, network mapping.
Tools include: nmap, masscan, amass, subfinder, dnsenum, fierce, netdiscover, hping3, unicornscan, zmap, and more.

### Web Application Security (40+ tools)
Web vulnerability scanning, fuzzing, crawling, proxying, authentication testing.
Tools include: burpsuite, sqlmap, nikto, dirb, gobuster, wfuzz, nuclei, httpx, katana, dalfox, xsser, commix, and more.

### Authentication and Password (12+ tools)
Password cracking, brute-forcing, hash analysis, credential testing.
Tools include: hydra, john, hashcat, medusa, ncrack, patator, crowbar, and more.

### Binary and Reverse Engineering (25+ tools)
Disassembly, debugging, binary analysis, unpacking, exploitation.
Tools include: ghidra, gdb, radare2, pwntools, checksec, ropper, one_gadget, strace, ltrace, and more.

### Cloud and Container (20+ tools)
Cloud enumeration, container scanning, Kubernetes assessment, infrastructure auditing.
Tools include: prowler, scoutSuite, pacu, cloudmapper, trivy, kube-hunter, kube-bench, checkov, and more.

### CTF and Forensics (20+ tools)
Steganography, forensics analysis, crypto challenges, encoding/decoding.
Tools include: steghide, binwalk, foremost, volatility, autopsy, zsteg, exiftool, cyberchef, and more.

### Bug Bounty and OSINT (20+ tools)
Target reconnaissance, subdomain enumeration, technology detection, email harvesting.
Tools include: theHarvester, shodan, censys, amass, recon-ng, maltego, spiderfoot, and more.

## AI Agents (12 Agents)

This section covers ai agents (12 agents) for hexstrike ai pentest.

- Ensure all prerequisites are met before proceeding
- Follow the documented workflow steps in sequence
- Record results and any anomalies encountered during this phase
### Core Intelligence Agents

| Agent | Purpose |
|-------|---------|
| `IntelligentDecisionEngine` | Analyzes target context and selects optimal tools and attack strategies |
| `BugBountyWorkflowManager` | End-to-end bug bounty workflow — recon, scanning, validation, reporting |
| `CTFWorkflowManager` | CTF challenge solver — identifies challenge type and chains appropriate tools |
| `CVEIntelligenceManager` | CVE lookup, exploit correlation, and vulnerability context enrichment |

### Exploitation and Analysis Agents

| Agent | Purpose |
|-------|---------|
| `AIExploitGenerator` | Generates custom exploit code based on discovered vulnerabilities |
| `VulnerabilityCorrelator` | Correlates findings across multiple tools to identify compound vulnerabilities |
| `TechnologyDetector` | Fingerprints technologies, versions, and known vulnerability mappings |

### Operational Agents

| Agent | Purpose |
|-------|---------|
| `RateLimitDetector` | Detects and adapts to rate limiting, WAF blocks, and defensive responses |
| `FailureRecoverySystem` | Handles tool failures with fallback strategies and alternative approaches |
| `PerformanceMonitor` | Tracks tool performance, execution times, and resource usage |
| `ParameterOptimizer` | Tunes scan parameters based on target characteristics and scan phase |
| `GracefulDegradation` | Ensures workflows continue even when individual tools fail or are unavailable |

## MCP Integration

This section covers mcp integration for hexstrike ai pentest.

- Ensure all prerequisites are met before proceeding
- Follow the documented workflow steps in sequence
- Record results and any anomalies encountered during this phase
### Claude Desktop Configuration
```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "hexstrike": {
      "command": "python",
      "args": ["path/to/hexstrike/mcp_server.py"],
      "env": {}
    }
  }
}
```

### VS Code (Continue) Configuration
```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "hexstrike": {
      "command": "python",
      "args": ["path/to/hexstrike/mcp_server.py"]
    }
  }
}
```

### Cursor Configuration
Add MCP server in Cursor settings pointing to the hexstrike MCP server entrypoint.

## Workflow Examples

1. **Scope and authorize** — confirm written authorization and define target boundaries
2. **Reconnaissance** — enumerate targets, services, and potential attack surfaces
3. **Exploitation** — attempt exploitation of identified vulnerabilities within scope
4. **Post-exploitation** — document access level, lateral movement, and data exposure
5. **Report and remediate** — compile findings with reproduction steps and fix recommendations
### Bug Bounty Reconnaissance
```
1. BugBountyWorkflowManager receives target domain
2. TechnologyDetector fingerprints the target
3. IntelligentDecisionEngine selects recon tools
4. Subdomain enumeration + port scanning + tech stack identification
5. VulnerabilityCorrelator maps findings to known CVEs
6. AIExploitGenerator creates PoC for confirmed vulnerabilities
```

### CTF Challenge
```
1. CTFWorkflowManager identifies challenge category (web/crypto/pwn/forensics)
2. IntelligentDecisionEngine selects appropriate tool chain
3. Tools execute in sequence with FailureRecoverySystem as safety net
4. ParameterOptimizer adjusts based on intermediate results
5. Solution generated and validated
```

## Installation

```bash
git clone https://github.com/0x4m4/hexstrike-ai.git
cd hexstrike-ai
pip install -r requirements.txt

# Configure MCP in your client (Claude Desktop, VS Code, or Cursor)
# See MCP Integration section above
```

## When NOT to Use

- Task is outside your authorization scope
- You need to implement controls (use implementing-* skills)
- Task is about analysis, not action (use analyzing-* skills)
- You don't have access to target systems
- Task requires compliance expertise (consult professionals)
- Task is about defense, not offense (use defensive skills)


## Red Flags

- Automated scanning against targets without authorization is illegal
- AI-generated exploits must only be used in authorized assessments
- Tool outputs may contain sensitive data — handle with care
- Rate limiting bypass should only be used within engagement scope
- Always validate tool availability before starting a workflow
## Verification

- All steps executed successfully against a test environment before production use
- Output documented with screenshots or logs demonstrating expected behavior
- All exploited vulnerabilities documented with reproduction steps
- Scope boundaries confirmed — only authorized targets were tested
- Remediation recommendations included for every finding