I've been using Nuclei for a bit now, and it's quickly become one of my go-to tools for vulnerability scanning. Here's some insight based on my experiences:
Common Use Cases: Nuclei shines in situations where you need quick scans across a wide range of endpoints. It's excellent for finding known vulnerabilities such as misconfigurations, exposed panels, and outdated services by utilizing its expansive template library effectively.
Managing Templates: With the vast number of templates available, managing them can be a bit overwhelming. I usually start with a core set of essential templates like those targeting CVEs or specific platforms I'm working with. Regularly updating these templates from the community repository helps, too, as it ensures I'm catching the latest vulnerabilities.
Customizing Templates: Customization is where Nuclei really stands out. You can create new templates using its YAML-based configuration. Start by modifying existing ones to suit your specific target environments or extract patterns unique to your applications. Eventually, you'll get a knack for crafting precise checks that reduce noise.
Comparison to Other Tools: In terms of speed and ease of use, Nuclei performs admirably, especially with its parallel execution capabilities. Accuracy can vary depending on the templates—some might yield false positives if not configured right. Compared to tools like Nessus or OpenVAS, Nuclei offers more flexibility in customizing scan logic, which I appreciate.
Best Practices: To minimize false positives, always review and understand the templates you're using. Pre-testing templates on controlled environments can help fine-tune them before broad application. Setting up a feedback loop where you actively review scan results and adjust configurations can significantly improve accuracy.
For anyone new to Nuclei, I'd recommend staying engaged with the community, as there's always something new being developed or shared. Additionally, the official GitHub repository is a treasure trove of resources for templates and documentation.
How have others here learned to manage template selection effectively? I'd love to hear more experiences or tips in that area.