Scan a Web Application Using Acunetix Scanner

This guide describes how to scan a web application using Acunetix Scanner.

Install Acunetix on Ubuntu Linux

If you need to learn how to install Acunetix trial edition on Ubuntu 18.04, check the link below;

How to Install Acunetix on Ubuntu 18.04

Scan a Web Application Using Acunetix WVS

In this guide, we are going to demonstrate how to scan a web application using Acunetix web vulnerability scanner. We will be using a Damn Vulnerable Web Application (DVWA) running on our local server for this exercise.

Want to learn how to install DVWA on Ubuntu 18.04? Follow the link below to check our article on the same.

How to Install and Configure DVWA Lab on Ubuntu 18.04 server

Login to Acunetix web User Interface

Well, assuming you are set and ready to go, login to Acunetix web User Interface and create a new Scan target.

scan a web application using Acunetix Scanner

Add a Scan Target to Acunetix WVS

To add a scan target, click Add Target or Create new target tab/link respectively. This will open a window where you can enter the target Address and the scan description.

scan address

Click Add Target and proceed to define other Target information.

scan info

Save the target information. Scroll through the Crawl, HTTP, Advanced tabs to configure more scan settings. Once you are contented with the scan settings, Click Scan button to proceed to define the scan options: Scan type, the type of report and the scan schedule.

scan a web application using Acunetix Scanner

Scan the Target on Acunetix WVS

Once you provide information about the target, click Create Scan button to launch the scanning.

Acunetix WVS Scan Results

Once the scan completes, you should be able to see the Acunetix scan results.

scan results

Scroll through the Vulnerabilities, Site Structure, Events to see more scan results details.

To generate the scan report, click on the Generate Report Tab and choose the report template and generate the report.

report template
reports

Acunetix WVS Reports

You can download the report in PDF or HTML formats. A sample Executive summary PDF report of out test scan is shown below;

report pg1
report pg2
report pg3

That is all about how to scan a web application using Acunetix Scanner. How about you get the licensed version and enjoy the magics of this awesome scanner. Enjoy threat hunting.

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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".

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