Red Teaming Toolkit Guide for Modern Security Tools

When it comes to real-world offensive security, having the right Red Teaming Toolkit can make all the difference. Whether you're performing adversary simulation, penetration testing, OSINT, or post-exploitation, this guide brings together the most powerful open-source security tools (OST) that professionals rely on every day. These tools help security teams simulate realistic threats, strengthen defense capabilities, and uncover vulnerabilities before attackers do.

Below, you’ll find an organized list of the best tools used across all Red Team stages - from reconnaissance, initial access, payload development, phishing, and command & control (C2) all the way to lateral movement and defense evasion.

Let’s dive deep into the modern toolkit every Red Teamer should know.

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Reconnaissance Tools (OSINT) ​

Recon is always the first step of any offensive engagement. These tools help you map attack surfaces, discover assets, scan ports, enumerate services, and gather intel from public sources.

Top Recon Tools You Must Know:​

• RustScan - Ultra-fast port scanner that integrates with Nmap.
• Amass - Known for powerful attack surface mapping and asset discovery.
• gitleaks - Detects hardcoded secrets, API keys, and passwords in Git repos.
• S3Scanner - Finds open AWS S3 buckets and dumps contents.
• cloud_enum - Enumerates public cloud resources across Azure, AWS, and GCP.
• Recon-ng - A modular OSINT framework similar to Metasploit but for recon.
• SpiderFoot - Automated OSINT analysis integrating dozens of data sources.
• dnscan - Subdomain scanner using Python and wordlists.
• BBOT - Recursive OSINT engine designed to be fast, powerful, and extensible.

Example: Simple Python Subdomain Scanner ​

import requests

domain = "example.com"
wordlist = ["www", "mail", "dev", "test"]

for sub in wordlist:
    url = f"http://{sub}.{domain}"
    try:
        r = requests.get(url, timeout=2)
        if r.status_code < 400:
            print(f"[+] Found: {url}")
    except:
        pass

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Initial Access Tools ​

Initial access often involves password spraying, credential testing, or exploiting exposed services.

Brute Force and Credential Tools:​

• SprayingToolkit - Automates password spraying on Office 365, OWA, Lync, and more.
• o365recon - Extracts detailed data from O365 accounts with valid creds.
• CredMaster - Generates IP-rotated password spraying using FireProx.

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Payload Development Tools ​

Payload creation is at the heart of Red Team operations. These tools help you build stealthy, memory-resident, AV-evasive, and EDR-bypassing payloads.

Most Popular Payload Dev Tools:​

• Ivy - Executes VBA macros directly in memory.
• PEzor - Pack and obfuscate PE files.
• ScareCrow - Designed for EDR bypass.
• Donut - Generates shellcode from .NET assemblies.
• InvisibilityCloak - Obfuscates C# post-exploitation tools.
• EvilClippy - Creates malicious Office documents with hidden macros.
• ThreatCheck - Identifies bytes detected by Microsoft Defender.
• CrossC2 - Cross-platform payload generator for CobaltStrike.
• Freeze - Uses suspended processes and syscalls for EDR evasion.

Sample C++ Shellcode Loader (Simplified)​

#include <windows.h>
#include <iostream>

int main() {
    unsigned char shellcode[] = { 0x90, 0x90, 0x90 }; // placeholder

    LPVOID mem = VirtualAlloc(NULL, sizeof(shellcode),
                              MEM_COMMIT | MEM_RESERVE,
                              PAGE_EXECUTE_READWRITE);

    memcpy(mem, shellcode, sizeof(shellcode));
    ((void(*)())mem)();
}

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Phishing Tools ​

Social engineering remains one of the most successful attack vectors. These tools make phishing campaigns realistic and controlled.

Top Phishing Frameworks:​

• Evilginx2 - Man-in-the-middle framework capturing credentials and session cookies.
• Gophish - Incredible open-source phishing platform for awareness training.
• Modlishka - Reverse proxy enabling advanced phishing operations.
• PwnAuth - OAuth-based abuse attack management.
• O365 Attack Toolkit - Phishing tools targeting Microsoft 365.

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Command & Control (C2) Frameworks ​

C2 infrastructure is the backbone of post-exploitation. These tools allow Red Teams to maintain access, execute commands, and manage implants.

Most Used C2 Tools Today:​

• Cobalt Strike - Industry-standard C2 for Red Teams.
• Brute Ratel - Modern, stealthy Red Team C2 alternative.
• Empire - PowerShell and Python-based post-exploitation.
• PoshC2 - Proxy-aware C2 designed for stealth.
• Sliver - Open-source cross-platform C2 with full implant support.
• Havoc - Modern, free C2 framework competing with paid tools.
• Mythic - Extremely flexible, multi-agent, open-source C2.
• SILENTTRINITY - Powered by Python and .NET DLR.

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Staging & Redirectors ​

Staging helps hide C2 traffic, rotate domains, and minimize detection from Blue Teams.

Popular Staging Tools:​

• pwndrop - Self-hosted payload hosting.
• C2concealer - Generates malleable C2 profiles.
• Domain Hunter - Finds expired, reputation-clean domains.
• RedWarden - Flexible redirector for Cobalt Strike.
• AzureC2Relay - Uses Azure Functions to proxy C2 traffic.
• SourcePoint - Advanced CobaltStrike C2 profile generator.
• RedGuard - Flow control system to hide C2 traffic.

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Log Aggregation & Operational Visibility ​

These tools help Red Teams analyze logs, track incidents, and visualize operations.

Best Tools for Red Team Observability:​

• RedELK - SIEM solution tailored for Red Teams.
• Elastic Red Teaming SIEM - Elastic-based log analysis repo.
• RedEye - Visual analysis tool for Red & Blue teams.

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Building Your Own Red Teaming Toolkit ​

If you want a clean, structured, automated Red Team toolkit, you can create something like:

Sample Folder Structure​

RedTeamToolkit/
│── Recon/
│── Initial_Access/
│── PayloadDev/
│── Phishing/
│── C2/
│── Evasion/
│── Staging/
│── Logs/

This helps you stay organized and ensures fast, efficient operations during engagements.

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Final Thoughts ​

The world of offensive security changes quickly, and staying updated with the latest tools is essential for Red Teamers, penetration testers, SOC analysts, and cybersecurity engineers.

Whether you're focusing on OSINT, payload creation, phishing, EDR bypass, or advanced C2 operations, this Red Teaming Toolkit gives you everything you need to perform realistic, high-level adversary simulations that prepare organizations for real-world attacks.

Use these tools responsibly, ethically, and only with legal authorization.