Hydra or the Password Auditor: the best tool for brute-force attacks

The Password Auditor on Pentest-Tools.com consistently demonstrated superior accuracy in identifying valid credentials across all 26 web applications. It achieved a 100% success rate when tested with one valid and one invalid credential set. 

Hydra, in contrast, identified only 7 valid credentials with a 27% success rate for the single credential test scenario.

When testing the 26 target apps with multiple credentials (one valid and 10+ invalid ones), the Password Auditor on Pentest-Tools.com maintained a high success rate of 84% in identifying credentials or detecting defensive measures.

In this more complex scenario, Hydra's success rate dropped to 15%, correctly identifying only 4 valid credentials. This suggests Hydra struggles more with identifying valid credentials under varying conditions.

The Password Auditor on Pentest-Tools.com was notably effective in recognizing various defensive mechanisms like IP blacklisting, CAPTCHA, account lockout, and rate limiting. It provided specific feedback and recommendations to bypass or handle these defenses, which is crucial for real-life penetration testing where such measures are common.

Hydra faced challenges with certain applications that use web CSRF tokens or dynamic form protections. Because of its inability to handle client-side JavaScript token generation or CSRF token rotation, Hydra often marked valid and invalid attempts similarly, reducing its effectiveness. Workarounds exist, but they require several tools and do not fit the scope of this benchmark. 

The Password Auditor on Pentest-Tools.com is more user-friendly with a pre-configured interface that simplifies the setup process. Security practitioners just need to specify the target, select the attack type, choose ports, and enable desired services. The tool also allows scheduling regular scans, enhancing its usability.

Hydra requires a more manual setup process, including crafting specific commands to find login endpoints and parameters, which is time-consuming. This setup complexity is a disadvantage in fast-paced testing environments where time efficiency is critical.

The Password Auditor effectively managed to bypass client-side encoding and token mechanisms by using its pre-built configurations. This capability is particularly valuable for auditing web apps that implement client-side protections.

Hydra’s performance dropped significantly on platforms that used client-side hashing or encryption. Since Hydra doesn’t operate within a browser environment, it couldn’t replicate JavaScript-based hashing, limiting its effectiveness against applications like Adobe ColdFusion and JetBrains TeamCity, which use advanced encryption or client-side hashing.

For security specialists looking for a robust, easy-to-use tool with high accuracy in detecting weak credentials and handling modern web application defenses, the Password Auditor on Pentest-Tools.com is a recommended choice. Its high success rates, user-friendly interface, and ability to navigate advanced security mechanisms make it a more reliable option for comprehensive web app auditing.

Hydra remains a powerful tool, especially for scenarios where a more manual, command-line approach is suitable, or when dealing with simpler authentication mechanisms without complex client-side protections. However, for advanced, automated credential auditing across diverse environments, the Password Auditor offers more value and reliability.

Based on the results from this comparison, you can select the right tool for bruteforcing credentials based on the type of system or web application you’re targeting (e.g., WordPress, Drupal, Joomla).

Case in point, the Password Auditor demonstrated superior performance across more complex login scenarios (e.g., dynamic forms, CAPTCHA, IP blocking), while Hydra was more limited in handling client-side security mechanisms like JavaScript hashing.

If you need an automated tool for auditing web apps with a focus on ease of use and minimal configuration, the Password Auditor is a reliable choice. You can simply select the attack type (dictionary or password spray), enable services, and configure the port range to launch scans quickly.

The tool’s ability to schedule regular scans and automate credential auditing across multiple targets makes it a valuable tool for large-scale projects. You can automate routine checks for weak credentials and have reports generated without manual intervention. This helps manage multiple clients or a large number of assets efficiently.

Many web applications, such as Jira, Bitbucket, or Microsoft Exchange, use unique login forms and parameters. The comparison outlines specific commands and configurations for each tool, allowing you to adapt your brute-force attacks to each application’s setup.

For instance, Hydra requires manual setup but allows for deep configuration of attacks, making it suitable when you need fine-tuned control over the process, especially in simpler environments that don’t implement client-side security mechanisms.

The comparison reveals that the Password Auditor is more effective at recognizing defensive mechanisms like CAPTCHA and IP blocking and providing bypass recommendations. You can use this capability to audit web apps that deploy such protections.

Both the Password Auditor and Hydra can set delays between attempts to avoid triggering account lockouts or rate-limiting mechanisms. This feature is useful for flying under the radar while performing brute-force attacks, reducing the risk of detection.

This comparison shows how both Hydra and the Password Auditor detect login endpoints and error messages, a critical first step in assessing web applications for brute-force vulnerabilities. You can compare their effectiveness and accuracy to choose the most reliable tool for simulating attacks against your targets. 

The comparison shows how the Password Auditor was able to bypass complex security mechanisms like client-side encryption and token generation. This makes it ideal for environments like Adobe ColdFusion where Hydra failed because it was unable to replicate client-side security processes.

The Password Auditor provides detailed feedback on defenses it encounters during an attack, including IP blacklisting, CAPTCHA, and login attempt delays. This level of detail allows you to generate comprehensive reports for clients or colleagues, outlining the strength of their authentication defenses and the bypasses that can override them.

These detailed comparison results offer a benchmark for future bruteforce testing. By understanding how each tool performed across the 26 tested applications, you can set realistic expectations for similar tools or when using Hydra or the Password Auditor in your environment.