For a payload generator for red teamers, the first results are veil-framework/veil, thewover/donut and rapid7/metasploit-framework (Metasploit Framework includes msfvenom for generating and encoding shellcode and payloads in multiple formats, with extensive evasion and encoder modules, making it the definitive tool matching this search). screetsec/thefatrat and gallopsled/pwntools round out the shortlist. Compare the match explanations and check the project documentation against your requirements.
These open-source utilities create and modify malicious payloads to evaluate the effectiveness of endpoint security defenses.
Veil is a payload generation framework and a suite of tools designed to automate the creation of obfuscated binaries and encoded shellcode. It functions as an anti-virus evasion tool that transforms binary code to bypass security scanners and endpoint detection software. The framework utilizes multi-language payload generation, employing various programming language compilers to create executables that evade signature-based detection. It includes an evasive shellcode encoder to remove forbidden characters and apply obfuscation techniques to hide payload logic. The project covers the generati
Veil is a dedicated payload generation framework that automates the creation of obfuscated binaries and encoded shellcode for AV/EDR evasion, directly matching the need for a penetration testing payload obfuscation tool with shellcode encoding, custom evasion, and a command-line interface.
Donut is a toolset for loading and executing payloads in memory, featuring a position-independent shellcode generator, an in-memory payload injector, and a .NET assembly loader. It is designed to convert executable files and scripts into shellcode that can be executed within the memory space of a remote process without writing files to disk. The project specializes in security evasion through memory-based patching and payload obfuscation using symmetric block ciphers and compression. It includes a remote payload stager to retrieve encrypted modules from HTTP or DNS servers during runtime, red
Donut is a purpose-built toolset that converts executables and scripts into encrypted, position-independent shellcode for in-memory execution, providing AV/EDR evasion through compression and symmetric encryption with a standalone CLI — exactly what you need for generating and obfuscating penetration testing payloads.
The framework is a comprehensive penetration testing platform designed for the development, testing, and execution of security exploits. It serves as a research toolkit and automated assessment environment, enabling security professionals to identify and validate vulnerabilities within networked systems and infrastructure through repeatable, standardized procedures. The platform distinguishes itself through a modular architecture that supports reflective payload injection, allowing for the execution of code directly in memory without writing to disk. It utilizes an asynchronous event loop to
Metasploit Framework includes msfvenom for generating and encoding shellcode and payloads in multiple formats, with extensive evasion and encoder modules, making it the definitive tool matching this search.
TheFatRat is a security exploitation framework designed to automate the creation, obfuscation, and deployment of payloads for penetration testing. It functions as a comprehensive toolkit that streamlines the exploitation lifecycle, enabling users to generate malicious executables, manage network listeners, and execute post-exploitation tasks through a unified command-line interface. The framework distinguishes itself by integrating various third-party exploitation utilities into a single, orchestrated workflow. It provides specialized capabilities for embedding code into legitimate binaries a
TheFatRat is a comprehensive exploitation framework that automatically generates and obfuscates payloads for penetration testing, with built-in Metasploit integration, AV/EDR bypass techniques, and a command-line interface, directly matching your need for a payload generator and obfuscation tool.
Pwntools is a Python-based framework designed for rapid prototyping and automation in binary exploitation, reverse engineering, and security research. It serves as a comprehensive toolkit for interacting with local and remote processes, providing the primitives necessary to manage complex exploit workflows and streamline security analysis tasks. The framework distinguishes itself through its specialized capabilities for binary manipulation and automated exploit construction. It includes dedicated utilities for parsing executable file formats, assembling and disassembling machine code, and gen
Pwntools is a Python exploitation framework that generates shellcode (including reverse and bind shells) and provides encoding/obfuscation to evade filters, with command-line utilities and integration into exploit workflows, fitting well as a payload generation and obfuscation tool for endpoint security testing.
This project is a suite of tools for generating encoded shell commands and network listener configurations used in offensive security operations. It provides a collection of command generators for various shells and listeners to establish remote access during security penetration tests. The tool features a reverse shell payload generator that creates encoded command strings and a network listener command generator that produces the server-side syntax needed to accept incoming network connections. It includes a Base64 command encoder to transform shell commands into encoded strings to bypass s
This tool generates encoded reverse shell commands and listener syntax, fitting the payload generator category, but it primarily covers reverse shells with basic Base64 encoding rather than the multiple formats or advanced evasion techniques you need.
Hoaxshell is a command and control system for Windows remote command execution. It provides a framework for generating and managing reverse shell payloads that utilize an HTTP beaconing protocol, where victim clients periodically poll a handler to receive and execute instructions. The project distinguishes itself through its ability to bypass PowerShell Constrained Language Mode using specialized payload generation. It supports encrypted command and control via TLS certificate injection and provides mechanisms for remote session recovery, allowing a handler to reestablish control over active
Hoaxshell is a Windows-focused C2 framework that generates and manages encrypted reverse shell payloads with built-in PowerShell Constrained Language Mode bypass, making it a targeted tool in this category, but it does not offer multiple payload formats or shellcode generation.
HackTools is a browser extension pentesting toolkit designed for offensive security professionals. It serves as a centralized collection of tools for generating payloads, managing penetration testing workflows, and accessing security reference materials within a web-based interface. The project provides specialized utilities for generating attack strings for XSS, SQL injection, and reverse shells to identify and exploit web vulnerabilities. It includes a data encoding and hashing utility to convert information between various formats for the purpose of bypassing security filters or verifying
HackTools is a browser-extension pentesting toolkit that does generate and obfuscate payloads (reverse shells, XSS, SQLi) and includes encoding utilities, making it a valid payload generator/obfuscation tool, though it delivers these as a web-based extension rather than a standalone CLI.
K8tools is a multi-stage attack framework that combines memory-only payload execution, credential testing, port forwarding, privilege escalation, and physical USB-based keystroke injection for comprehensive system compromise. At its core, the Ladon PowerShell module loads a multi-function scanner directly into memory, enabling command execution without writing files to disk, while supporting memory-only payload delivery that downloads and runs obfuscated shellcode or PowerShell commands to evade antivirus detection. The framework distinguishes itself through its breadth of integrated capabili
K8tools is a multi-stage attack framework that generates and delivers obfuscated shellcode and PowerShell payloads with memory-only execution for AV/EDR evasion, which fits the payload generation and obfuscation need, though it lacks dedicated Metasploit integration and is broader than a focused payload generator.
Pupy is a command and control framework and post-exploitation suite used for remote administration and system management. It functions as a cross-platform tool for deploying payloads and controlling multiple remote agents through encrypted communication channels. The framework features a multi-platform payload generator that creates custom executable files using configurable network launchers. It employs a network traffic obfuscator that stacks encryption and obfuscation protocols to hide communication from observation. The system provides capabilities for in-memory code execution, remote pr
Pupy is a full command-and-control framework that includes a multi-platform payload generator with obfuscation and encryption, making it a capable but broader tool than a standalone payload generator—still squarely within penetration testing payload generation and evasion.
Nishang is a PowerShell-based offensive security framework designed for red teaming and penetration testing on Windows targets. It functions as a post-exploitation toolkit and payload generator to automate attacks and manage remote targets. The project provides specialized capabilities for bypassing security controls, such as disabling the Antimalware Scan Interface and employing in-memory execution to avoid disk-based detection. It includes a variety of stealthy command and control mechanisms, utilizing non-standard channels like DNS TXT records, ICMP traffic, and webmail for communication a
Nishang is a PowerShell-based offensive security framework that includes payload generation and in-memory execution for evading defenses, making it a good fit for generating and obfuscating payloads on Windows targets, though it is limited to PowerShell payloads and may not cover shellcode generation or direct Metasploit integration.
Unicorn is a collection of utilities for generating malicious HTA files, VBA macros, encoded PowerShell commands, and memory-resident shellcode injection frameworks. It provides tools to create payloads designed to achieve remote code execution by bypassing security controls. The project focuses on weaponizing office documents through VBA macros and formulas, generating HTA attack vectors, and creating encoded PowerShell payloads. It includes a shellcode injection framework to wrap external shellcode for direct execution in system memory. The toolkit covers binary-to-base64 conversion for ce
Unicorn generates PowerShell-based shellcode injection payloads using a downgrade attack for evasion, which aligns with the need for a penetration testing payload generator and obfuscation tool, though it focuses on a single technique rather than offering multiple payload formats or broad Metasploit integration.
To view the latest version of ScareCrow or to submit an issue, reference https://github.com/Tylous/ScareCrow.
ScareCrow is a payload-generation tool focused on creating AV/EDR-evading DLLs and shellcode for Windows, which fits the category of a penetration testing payload generator but is narrower in scope than one offering multiple payload formats like reverse or bind shells.
| Repository | Stars | Language | License | Last push |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| veil-framework/veil | 4.2K | Python | gpl-3.0 | |
| thewover/donut | 4.5K | C | bsd-3-clause | |
| rapid7/metasploit-framework |
| 38.4K |
| Ruby |
| NOASSERTION |
| screetsec/thefatrat | 11K | C | gpl-3.0 |
| gallopsled/pwntools | 13.3K | Python | other |
| 0dayctf/reverse-shell-generator | 4K | HTML | mit |
| t3l3machus/hoaxshell | 3.4K | Python | bsd-2-clause |
| lascc/hacktools | 6.7K | TypeScript | — |
| k8gege/k8tools | 6.2K | PowerShell | MIT |
| n1nj4sec/pupy | 8.9K | Python | other |