Search Exploits

A systematic approach to finding exploits and vulnerabilities for services, software, and technologies.

Quick Start

When investigating a target, follow this workflow:

1. Identify the target - Get service name and version
2. Search online databases - Use multiple sources
3. Search local databases - Use Searchsploit if available
4. Cross-reference findings - Verify across multiple sources
5. Document results - Track what you found

Step 1: Identify Your Target

Before searching, gather:

• Service/application name
• Version number (critical!)
• Operating system
• Any additional context (ports, protocols, etc.)

Example: Apache 2.4.49 on Linux, or Windows XP with SMB on port 135

Step 2: Online Search Resources

Google Search

The simplest and often most effective method:

<service_name> [version] exploit

Examples:

• apache 2.4.49 exploit

• windows xp smb exploit

• tomcat 9.0.50 vulnerability

Pro tip: Add

site:github.com

to find PoC code:

apache 2.4.49 exploit site:github.com

Shodan Exploit Search

https://exploits.shodan.io/

Shodan indexes exploits from multiple sources. Search by:

• Service name
• CVE number
• Software version

Vulners

https://vulners.com/

Comprehensive vulnerability database with:

• CVE details
• Exploit availability
• Proof-of-concept code
• References to other databases

PacketStorm Security

https://packetstormsecurity.com/

Good for:

• Recent exploits
• Zero-day disclosures
• Exploit collections

Sploitus

https://sploitus.com/

Searches multiple exploit databases simultaneously.

Sploitify

https://sploitify.haxx.it

Curated exploit list with filters for:

• Vulnerability type: Local Privilege Escalation, Remote Code Execution, etc.
• Service type: Web, SMB, SSH, RDP, etc.
• Operating System: Windows, Linux, macOS, etc.
• Practice labs: Links to machines for testing

search_vulns

https://search-vulns.com/

Aggregates data from:

• NVD (National Vulnerability Database)
• Exploit-DB
• PoC-in-GitHub
• GitHub Security Advisory database
• endoflife.date

Step 3: Local Search Tools

Searchsploit (Exploit-DB)

If you have

searchsploit

installed (part of Exploit-DB), use these commands:

# Basic search by service
searchsploit "linux Kernel"
searchsploit apache mod_ssl

# Get exploit by ID
searchsploit -m 7618              # Download to current directory
searchsploit -p 7618[.c]          # Show complete path
searchsploit -x 7618[.c]          # Open in editor to inspect

# Search from nmap results
searchsploit --nmap file.xml      # Find vulns in nmap XML output

Workflow:

1. Run

   searchsploit <service> <version>

   to find matches
2. Note the exploit ID numbers
3. Use

   -x

   to inspect promising exploits
4. Use

   -m

   to download for analysis

MSF-Search (Metasploit)

If Metasploit is available:

msfconsole
msf> search platform:windows port:135 target:XP type:exploit
msf> search apache mod_ssl
msf> search cve:2021-44228

Search parameters:

• platform:

  - Operating system

• port:

  - Service port

• target:

  - Specific target

• type:

  - exploit, auxiliary, post, etc.

• cve:

  - CVE number

Pompem

https://github.com/rfunix/Pompem

Alternative tool for searching exploits.

Step 4: Search Strategy

When to use each resource

Resource	Best For
Google	Quick initial search, finding PoC code
Shodan	Exploit availability, real-world instances
Vulners	Comprehensive CVE details
PacketStorm	Recent exploits, zero-days
Searchsploit	Local, offline searching
Metasploit	When you have MSF installed
Sploitify	Curated, filtered lists

Search order recommendation

1. Start with Google - Fast, broad coverage
2. Check Vulners - Get CVE details and references
3. Use Searchsploit - If available, for local search
4. Cross-reference - Verify findings across 2+ sources
5. Download and analyze - Review exploit code before use

Step 5: Analyzing Results

When you find an exploit:

1. Check the date - Is it recent? Does it match your target version?
2. Verify the version - Ensure it matches your target exactly
3. Read the description - Understand what it does and requirements
4. Check references - Look for additional context
5. Review the code - Understand what it does before running

Common Search Patterns

By Service

<service> <version> exploit
<service> <version> vulnerability
<service> <version> CVE

By CVE

CVE-YYYY-NNNN exploit
CVE-YYYY-NNNN poc

By Technology

<technology> remote code execution
<technology> privilege escalation
<technology> buffer overflow

Safety Notes

• Always verify exploit compatibility with your target
• Test in isolated environments before production use
• Document your findings for reporting
• Follow legal guidelines - only test systems you own or have permission to test
• Understand the exploit before running it

Example Workflow

Scenario: You found Apache 2.4.49 on a target

1. Google search:

   apache 2.4.49 exploit

2. Check Vulners: Search for CVEs affecting 2.4.49
3. Searchsploit:

   searchsploit apache 2.4.49

4. Review results: Look for matching exploits
5. Download:

   searchsploit -m <exploit_id>

6. Analyze: Read the exploit code and requirements
7. Test: In isolated environment first

Tips for Better Results

• Be specific - Include exact version numbers
• Try variations - Different search terms may yield different results
• Check multiple sources - One database may miss what another has
• Look for PoC code - GitHub often has working examples
• Follow references - Exploits often link to related vulnerabilities
• Stay updated - New exploits are published regularly

When Nothing is Found

If searches return no results:

1. Try broader searches - Remove version number
2. Check for related services - Similar software may have shared vulnerabilities
3. Look for configuration issues - Not all vulnerabilities require exploits
4. Consider manual testing - Some vulnerabilities aren't documented
5. Wait and check back - New exploits may be published later