Scan tuning can be used to decrease the number of tests performed against a target. By specifying the type of test to include or exclude, faster, focused testing can be completed. This is useful in situations where the presence of certain file types are undesired -- such as XSS or simply "interesting" files.

Test types can be controlled at an individual level by specifying their identifier to the -T (-Tuning) option. In the default mode, if -T is invoked only the test type(s) specified will be executed. For example, only the tests for "Remote file retrieval" and "Command execution" can performed against the target:

perl nikto.pl -h 192.168.0.1 -T 58

If an "x" is passed to -T then this will negate all tests of types following the x. This is useful where a test may check several different types of exploit. For example:

perl nikto.pl -h 192.168.0.1 -T 58xb

The valid tuning options are:

• 0 - File Upload. Exploits which allow a file to be uploaded to the target server.

• 1 - Interesting File / Seen in logs. An unknown but suspicious file or attack that has been seen in web server logs (note: if you have information regarding any of these attacks, please contact CIRT, Inc.).

• 2 - Misconfiguration / Default File. Default files or files which have been misconfigured in some manner. This could be documentation, or a resource which should be password protected.

• 3 - Information Disclosure. A resource which reveals information about the target. This could be a file system path or account name.

• 4 - Injection (XSS/Script/HTML). Any manner of injection, including cross site scripting (XSS) or content (HTML). This does not include command injection.

• 5 - Remote File Retrieval - Inside Web Root. Resource allows remote users to retrieve unauthorized files from within the web server's root directory.

• 6 - Denial of Service. Resource allows a denial of service against the target application, web server or host (note: no intentional DoS attacks are attempted).

• 7 - Remote File Retrieval - Server Wide. Resource allows remote users to retrieve unauthorized files from anywhere on the target.

• 8 - Command Execution / Remote Shell. Resource allows the user to execute a system command or spawn a remote shell.

• 9 - SQL Injection. Any type of attack which allows SQL to be executed against a database.

• a - Authentication Bypass. Allows client to access a resource it should not be allowed to access.

• b - Software Identification. Installed software or program could be positively identified.

• c - Remote source inclusion. Software allows remote inclusion of source code.

• x - Reverse Tuning Options. Perform exclusion of the specified tuning type instead of inclusion of the specified tuning type.