# OpenVAS

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OpenVAS stands for Open Vulnerability Assessment System and is a network security scanner with associated tools like a graphical user front-end. The core component is a server with a set of network vulnerability tests (NVTs) to detect security problems in remote systems and applications.

## Installation

Install the openvas package group from the official repositories. This group provides the openvas-cli command-line `omp` interface and greenbone-security-assistant web interface via the `gsad` daemon along with other OpenVAS dependencies.

## Initial setup

Create a certificate for the server, choosing the default values if desired:

    # openvas-mkcert

Create a client certificate:

    # openvas-mkcert-client -n -i

Update the plugins and vulnerability data:

    # openvas-nvt-sync
    # openvas-scapdata-sync
    # openvas-certdata-sync

Start the scanner service:

    # systemctl start openvas-scanner

Rebuild the database:

    # openvasmd --rebuild --progress

Add an administrator user account, be sure to copy the password:

    # openvasmd --create-user=admin --role=Admin

## Post-Install

Configure redis as prescribed by the OpenVAS redis configuration. In summary, amend the following to your /etc/redis.conf

    unixsocket /var/lib/redis/redis.sock
    port 0
    timeout 0

Create and add the following to /etc/openvas/openvassd.conf

    kb_location = /var/lib/redis/redis.sock

Finally restart `redis`

    # systemctl restart redis

## Getting Started

Start the `openvasmd` daemon

    # openvasmd -p 9390 -a 127.0.0.1

Start the Greenbone Security Assistant WebUI (optional)

    # gsad -f --listen=127.0.0.1 --mlisten=127.0.0.1 --mport=9390

Point your web browser to http://127.0.0.1 and login with your admin crendentials

Note: By default, `gsad` will bind to port 80. If you are already running a webserver, this will obviously cause problems. Pass the `--port` switch to `gsad` for an alternate port. Read the `gsad` man page for options like `--http-only`, `--no-redirect`, and more.

## Systemd

Redhat based systemd units are in an AUR package named openvas-systemdAUR. The contain a few tweaks such as better TLS settings.

## Migration to new major versions

The database needs to be migrated when moving to a new major version:

    # openvasmd --migrate --progress

## See Also

- OpenVAS Official OpenVAS website.

Categories:

- Networking
- Security

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