What is this?
Pwntools is a CTF framework and exploit development library written in Python, built for rapid prototyping with the goal of making exploit writing as simple as possible.
Pwntools is a CTF framework and exploit development library written in Python, built for rapid prototyping with the goal of making exploit writing as simple as possible.Is it a Python library I import into my own scripts, or a standalone tool?It is a Python library you import into your exploit scripts — most of its functionality is self-contained and pure Python.
It is a Python library you import into your exploit scripts — most of its functionality is self-contained and pure Python.Which Python version do I need?Current 5.x releases need Python 3.10 or newer; for older interpreters, including Python 2.7, use the 4.x branch instead.
Current 5.x releases need Python 3.10 or newer; for older interpreters, including Python 2.7, use the 4.x branch instead.Does everything work right after 'pip install'?Almost — pip covers most features, but assembling and disassembling code for foreign CPU architectures requires extra non-Python dependencies.
Almost — pip covers most features, but assembling and disassembling code for foreign CPU architectures requires extra non-Python dependencies.Do I have to be a CTF competitor to get value out of it?It is aimed at CTF players and exploit developers — anyone who needs working exploit code fast, from live competitions to practice on wargames.
It is aimed at CTF players and exploit developers — anyone who needs working exploit code fast, from live competitions to practice on wargames.Will it run if I am not on Ubuntu?Yes — Ubuntu LTS (64-bit, 22.04 or 24.04) is just the best-supported target; most functionality works on any POSIX-like distribution such as Debian, Arch, FreeBSD or macOS.
Yes — Ubuntu LTS (64-bit, 22.04 or 24.04) is just the best-supported target; most functionality works on any POSIX-like distribution such as Debian, Arch, FreeBSD or macOS.Where should I start after installing?Start with the documentation at docs.pwntools.com and the online tutorial series; the write-ups repository has complete example solutions to past CTF challenges.
Start with the documentation at docs.pwntools.com and the online tutorial series; the write-ups repository has complete example solutions to past CTF challenges.Is pwntools still actively maintained?Yes — it has been developed since 2013, sits at roughly 13.7k GitHub stars, and the repo runs CI workflows for changelog updates, linting and Docker builds.
Yes — it has been developed since 2013, sits at roughly 13.7k GitHub stars, and the repo runs CI workflows for changelog updates, linting and Docker builds.What does it give me for shellcode and ROP work?Both are first-class concerns: rop and shellcode development are among the project's own topics, and the library can assemble and disassemble code for foreign CPU architectures — the core of classic binary exploitation.
Both are first-class concerns: rop and shellcode development are among the project's own topics, and the library can assemble and disassemble code for foreign CPU architectures — the core of classic binary exploitation.What are similar projects?pwndbg, awesome-hacking, Claude-Red, awesome-reverse-engineering, awesome-ctf, fsociety, Ciphey, Decepticon
pwndbg, awesome-hacking, Claude-Red, awesome-reverse-engineering, awesome-ctf, fsociety, Ciphey, DecepticonWhich topics is it in?assembly, ctf, exploit, python3, pentesting, hacking, cybersecurity, bsd, security-tools, hacktoberfest, framework, security
assembly, ctf, exploit, python3, pentesting, hacking, cybersecurity, bsd, security-tools, hacktoberfest, framework, security