Nmap Scripting Engine (NSE)
Category: Reconnaissance & OSINT
Language: C++ / Lua
Type: Port Scanner & Script Engine
📘 Definition & Purpose
The Nmap Scripting Engine (NSE) allows users to write scripts in Lua to automate network checks, vulnerability detection, and system profiling.
🧪 Core Mechanics
Nmap executes Lua scripts during the port scan phase, interacting directly with TCP/UDP sockets to verify vulnerabilities.
🚀 Usage & Cheat Sheet
# Check for common vulnerabilities using the 'vuln' script category
nmap --script vuln -p 80,443,8080 target.com
# Audit an SMB server for vulnerabilities (e.g. MS17-010 EternalBlue)
nmap --script smb-vuln-ms17-010 -p 445 10.10.10.40
# Run safe detection scripts and perform OS detection
nmap -sV -sC -O target.com -oN nmap_safe_scan.txt
🔗 Integration
This tool is utilized across the: