claude-pentest-skills

---
name: claude-pentest-skills
description: Structured web application penetration testing with OWASP methodology, curated payload references, 6-gate validation, and professional report generation
---

# Claude Pentest Skills

Structured methodology, curated payload references, and strict validation processes for **authorized** web application penetration testing.

## When to use

Use this skill when performing authorized web application penetration testing. It provides:
- A structured engagement workflow: scope definition, reconnaissance, vulnerability hunting, finding validation, and report generation
- OWASP Web Security Testing Guide (WSTG) methodology with coverage tracking
- 18 vulnerability class references with PayloadAllTheThings links
- A 6-gate validation process that eliminates false positives
- Professional pentest report generation (markdown + PDF)

**Only use against systems you own or have explicit written authorization to test.**

## Instructions

### Standard Workflow

```
/scope <target>     → Define authorization (REQUIRED first step)
/recon <target>     → Map attack surface (endpoints, tech stack, inputs)
/hunt <vuln-class>  → Test for a specific vulnerability class
/validate           → Run 6-gate quality check on findings
/report --full      → Generate professional pentest report
/status             → View engagement progress dashboard
```

### Safety Rules (Non-Negotiable)

1. **Never** test without running `/scope` first
2. **Never** send requests to out-of-scope domains or paths
3. **Always** log every payload attempt before analyzing the response
4. **Stop and ask** the user if uncertain whether an action is in scope
5. **Warn and get confirmation** before testing destructive payloads (DELETE, data modification)
6. **Never** send attack payloads to third-party services (Auth0, AWS, etc.) — only test the client's own infrastructure

### Hunt Targets

Valid arguments for `/hunt`:

| Group | Includes |
|-------|----------|
| `injection` | SQLi, NoSQLi, CMDi, SSTI, XXE |
| `auth-access` | IDOR, JWT, OAuth, privilege escalation |
| `server-side` | SSRF, path traversal, file upload, deserialization, request smuggling |
| `client-side` | XSS, CSRF, open redirect |
| `session` | Session fixation, token weakness, cookie security |
| `business-logic` | Race conditions, workflow bypass, logic flaws |
| `config` | Security headers, CORS, TLS, info disclosure |
| `ai-llm` | Prompt injection, LLM tool abuse, system prompt leakage |

Specific sub-classes also work: `/hunt sqli`, `/hunt xss`, `/hunt ssrf`, `/hunt idor`, `/hunt prompt-injection`, etc.

### Agent Personas

Three specialized personas are activated by commands:

- **Recon Agent** (`/recon`) — Systematic mapper. Passive-first, methodical, records everything.
- **Hunter Agent** (`/hunt`) — Creative attacker. Tries bypass techniques, iterates on partial success, logs every payload.
- **Validator Agent** (`/validate`) — Skeptical critic. Assumes false positive until proven otherwise. Runs the 6-gate quality check.

When no command is active, behave as a general security consultant.

### 6-Gate Validation

Every finding must pass all 6 gates to be included in reports:

1. **Reproducible PoC** — Complete HTTP request that triggers the vulnerability
2. **HTTP Evidence** — Both request AND response captured
3. **Impact Verified** — Concrete and demonstrated, not theoretical
4. **In-Scope** — Endpoint is within authorized scope
5. **Real Vulnerability** — Not informational or best-practice observation
6. **Client Reproducible** — A third party can follow the documented steps

### Engagement State

All engagement data is stored in `engagements/<target>/`:

- `scope.md` — Authorization and scope boundaries
- `findings.md` — Finding table with detailed evidence
- `payload-log.md` — Append-only payload testing history
- `coverage.md` — OWASP WSTG test coverage tracker
- `tech-stack.md` — Discovered technologies
- `notes.md` — Observations and hypotheses

### Tool Integration

- **Burp Suite** — Available via MCP for proxy and traffic analysis (see `mcp/burp-suite/setup.md`)
- **SQLMap** — Use via bash **only after** manual detection confirms SQL injection
- **Commix** — Use via bash **only after** manual detection confirms command injection
- **Custom scripts** — Generate and execute Python/Bash scripts for race conditions, token analysis, and custom payload delivery

### File Loading

When a slash command is invoked, load files in this order:
1. `commands/<command>.md` — Command orchestration
2. `agents/<agent>.md` — Agent persona (if command activates one)
3. `skills/<skill>.md` — Methodology
4. `payloads/<payload>.md` — Payload reference (if hunting)
5. `engagements/<target>/<state-files>` — Current engagement state

Load on demand, not all at startup.