Is this legal? Do I need permission?

AttackVector performs passive security scanning only — we analyze publicly available information like HTTP headers, SSL certificates, and technology fingerprints. We do NOT perform active exploitation. However, you should only scan websites you own or have explicit authorization to test.

How does AttackVector compare to traditional pentesting?

Traditional penetration tests cost $5,000–$50,000+ and take weeks. AttackVector provides instant AI-powered scanning starting at $79/mo. While it doesn't replace a full manual pentest for compliance purposes, it catches 80% of common vulnerabilities at 1% of the cost.

What does the free tier include?

The free scan includes SSL/TLS certificate analysis, HTTP security headers audit, technology stack detection, your top 3 vulnerabilities, and an overall security grade (A-F). Upgrade to Pro to unlock all vulnerabilities, CVE matching, and AI remediation guides.

How do the AI agents work?

AttackVector uses a pipeline of specialized AI agents: Recon Agent discovers endpoints, Fingerprint Agent detects your tech stack, Scanner Agent checks for misconfigurations, CVE Matcher cross-references the NVD database, and Report Writer generates human-readable findings with fix instructions.

How often should I scan my site?

We recommend scanning after every deployment and at least weekly. Pro subscribers get continuous monitoring with weekly automatic re-scans. New CVEs are published daily, so regular scanning is essential.

Can AttackVector scan internal/private networks?

No. For security reasons, AttackVector only scans publicly accessible URLs. We block requests to private IP ranges (localhost, 10.x.x.x, 192.168.x.x, etc.).

What is automated penetration testing?

Automated penetration testing uses AI and software tools to simulate cyberattacks on your systems, identifying vulnerabilities without requiring a human security consultant. AttackVector automates recon, fingerprinting, vulnerability scanning, CVE matching, and report generation — delivering results in seconds instead of weeks.

How much does a penetration test cost?

Traditional manual penetration tests cost between $5,000 and $50,000+ per engagement. AttackVector provides AI-powered pentesting starting with a free tier, with Pro plans at $79/mo and Premium at $199/mo — making enterprise-grade security accessible to startups and small businesses.

What vulnerabilities does AttackVector detect?

AttackVector detects OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities including SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), CSRF, broken authentication, security misconfigurations, sensitive data exposure, and more. Pro and Premium plans add CVE matching against the National Vulnerability Database, DNS security auditing, API security testing, and frontend pentesting.

Is AI pentesting as good as manual penetration testing?

AI pentesting catches 80% of common vulnerabilities instantly and is ideal for continuous monitoring. Manual pentesting is still recommended for compliance audits (PCI DSS, SOC 2) and testing complex business logic. AttackVector is best used as a complement — providing continuous coverage between annual manual pentests.

What is a CVE and how does CVE scanning work?

CVE (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) is a standardized system for identifying known security vulnerabilities. AttackVector detects your technology stack (frameworks, libraries, servers) and cross-references them against the National Vulnerability Database (NVD) with 50,000+ CVE entries to find known exploits affecting your software versions.

How do I check if my website is secure?

Enter your website URL at attackvector.tech/scan to get a free instant security assessment. You'll receive a security grade (A-F), SSL/TLS analysis, HTTP security headers audit, technology detection, and your top vulnerabilities — all in seconds with no signup required.

What is OWASP Top 10 and why does it matter?

The OWASP Top 10 is the industry standard list of the most critical web application security risks, published by the Open Worldwide Application Security Project. It includes injection attacks, broken authentication, sensitive data exposure, XML external entities, broken access control, security misconfigurations, XSS, insecure deserialization, using components with known vulnerabilities, and insufficient logging. AttackVector scans for all 10 categories.

Does AttackVector test APIs for vulnerabilities?

Yes. Pro and Premium plans include API discovery and API security testing. AttackVector automatically discovers API endpoints, then tests for SQL injection, command injection, authentication bypass, IDOR, rate limiting issues, CORS misconfigurations, and mass assignment vulnerabilities in your APIs.

What is a DNS security audit?

A DNS security audit examines your domain's DNS configuration for security issues including missing SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records (email spoofing protection), DNSSEC validation, zone transfer vulnerabilities, dangling DNS records, and subdomain takeover risks. AttackVector includes comprehensive DNS auditing in Pro and Premium plans.

How does AI-powered vulnerability scanning work?

AttackVector deploys multiple specialized AI agents in parallel: a Recon Agent maps your attack surface, a Fingerprint Agent identifies your technology stack, a Scanner Agent tests for misconfigurations and vulnerabilities, a CVE Matcher finds known exploits in your software, and a Report Agent generates human-readable findings with step-by-step remediation guides.

What Is a CVE and Why Should Every Developer Care

Hook: The Price of Ignorance

Remember the Equifax breach in 2017? A single unpatched Apache Struts vulnerability—CVE-2017-5638—compromised 147 million records. This wasn't merely a technical oversight; it was a $700 million wake-up call about the importance of CVEs.

What Are CVEs?

Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) are unique identifiers for publicly known cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Each CVE entry contains a description, references, and sometimes exploit information. Standardized by MITRE, these identifiers ensure consistency across the industry.

How CVEs Are Assigned

CVE IDs are assigned by a CVE Numbering Authority (CNA), organizations authorized by MITRE to manage CVE assignments. When a new vulnerability is discovered, a CNA evaluates its scope and impact before assigning a CVE ID, ensuring that each vulnerability is consistently tracked and addressed.

The NVD Database

The National Vulnerability Database (NVD) is a comprehensive repository of CVE entries. Managed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the NVD enhances CVE data with severity scores, impact metrics, and other valuable information. Developers and security teams rely on the NVD to prioritize vulnerabilities based on risk.

Real-World Breach: Log4Shell

In December 2021, the Log4Shell vulnerability (CVE-2021-44228) made headlines. Affecting the popular Log4j logging library, this CVE allowed remote code execution—a nightmare for any developer. Within days, attackers were scanning the internet, exploiting weak spots in countless systems.

Testing for CVEs

To test for vulnerabilities like Log4Shell:

1Use nmap to scan your network for servers running Log4j.

nmap -p 80 --script http-vuln-cve2021-44228 <target>

1Deploy a tool like nuclei with custom templates to automate detection.
2Review logs for unusual activity, especially new outbound connections.

What Not to Do: Ignoring CVEs

Consider the MOVEit breach. In 2023, a critical vulnerability (CVE-2023-34362) was left unpatched, leading to unauthorized data access. Organizations that underestimated the severity found themselves in hot water.

Why Developers Must Care

1Security Debt: Accumulating unpatched vulnerabilities is like piling up credit card debt. Eventually, you pay the price.
2Reputation Risk: Breaches can tarnish a company's reputation, leading to lost trust and customers.
3Legal Implications: Many industries have regulatory requirements mandating prompt vulnerability management.

How AttackVector Helps

AttackVector automatically matches CVEs to detected technologies during scans, streamlining the process and helping you quickly identify and address vulnerabilities. Imagine a tool that highlights every weak link in your chain before it breaks—that's the power of CVE integration.

Conclusion

Ignoring CVEs is like covering your eyes during a storm; it doesn't stop the rain. Developers must actively track and address vulnerabilities to protect their code and their company. Run regular scans, patch diligently, and leverage tools like AttackVector to stay ahead of threats.