How to Add and Scan a Target for Vulnerabilities on OpenVAS Scanner

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In this tutorial, we are going to learn how to add and scan a target host for any vulnerability using OpenVAS Scanner.

Want to use PostgreSQL database with OpenVAS 9 instead of the default SQLite? See the link below on how to configure OpenVAS 9 to use PostgreSQL.

Install OpenVAS 9 with PostgreSQL in Ubuntu 18.04

Add and Scan a Target Host for Vulnerabilities

To add a new target host, login to OpenVAS web dashboard and navigate to Configuration > Targets. On the page that opens, click a star like icon,newtargeton the left side of the page to add a new target.
When you click on the New Target icon, the screen like as shown below opens up.

How to Add and Scan a Target  for Vulnerabilities on OpenVAS Scanner

Fill up the necessary details and click Create button to add the target.

Once we have added, we should be able to see our targets as shown below.

How to Add and Scan a Target  for Vulnerabilities on OpenVAS Scanner

Now that the target is added, we need to create a scan task. Navigate to Scans > Tasks and click the star like icon on the left side of page then New Task. This opens up a new page where you can fill the specifics of the scan. You can leave most of the settings as default.

How to Add and Scan a Target  for Vulnerabilities on OpenVAS Scanner

To run the scans against a target, click the play button  under the actions field.

How to Add and Scan a Target  for Vulnerabilities on OpenVAS Scanner

Once the Scan starts, sit back and wait for the results. This may take a while depending on the type of Scan you chose. Below are the example results of our test target.

How to Add and Scan a Target  for Vulnerabilities on OpenVAS Scanner

Result can also be downloaded in HTML/CSV/PDF formats.

That is all about adding and scanning a target for vulnerabilities using OpenVAS Scanner. Feel free to exploit the full potential of OpenVAS Scanner.

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koromicha
I am the Co-founder of Kifarunix.com, Linux and the whole FOSS enthusiast, Linux System Admin and a Blue Teamer who loves to share technological tips and hacks with others as a way of sharing knowledge as: "In vain have you acquired knowledge if you have not imparted it to others".

6 thoughts on “How to Add and Scan a Target for Vulnerabilities on OpenVAS Scanner”

    • Yes, as long as there is network connection between the network on which you scanner is located and the other computer network, then it is as simple as creating the scan and running it

      Reply
      • Hi Koromicha, what if there is no connection between the two networks?
        Do we need to set up anything on GreenBone for them to be able to communicate?

        Reply
      • What if the two networks do not communicate? I mean there is no connection between them, is there anything we can do to have a communication between them?
        Like is there something we need to configure in GreenBone?
        or
        or we need to configure/establish S2S VPN between two Firewalls?

        Thank you

        Reply
        • If there is no connection to that specific network from the network where GVM is seated, then there is no way you can scan the end points in that network.
          You can either have GVM installed on each network side or use VPN to interconnect the networks.

          Reply

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