Individual skill
performing-vulnerability-scanning-with-nessus
Performs authenticated and unauthenticated vulnerability scanning using Tenable Nessus to identify known vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, default credentials, and missing patches across network infrastructure, servers, and applications. The scanner correlates findings with CVE databases and CVSS scores to produce prioritized remediation guidance. Activates for requests involving vulnerability scanning, Nessus assessment, patch compliance checking, or automated vulnerability detection.
skills/performing-vulnerability-scanning-with-nessus/SKILL.md
Source commit 54a798831d2266a3ca61ce68a7acb80b81160d57
What was checked
- Matches the observed repository HEAD
- Yes
- Scanner rules are current
- Yes
- Repository scan complete
- No
- Skill scan complete
- No
- Observed behavior
- Network or broad shell
- Last checked
- Nov 9, 2026
These are observations at the recorded commit, not a guarantee of safety. Review the source before running it.
Install this skill
Choose an agent in your Stack or copy a command below. Commands fetch the pinned commit and copy only this skill directory. Existing destinations are refused. Copying a command does not install anything.
An install command is unavailable: current rules, complete repository and skill scans, an eligible behavior level and a permitted license are required.
Repository context
- Repository stars (not skill ratings)
- 35,881
- Repository last updated
- Aug 31, 2026
- License
- Apache-2.0
Observed agent integration: No specific integration evidence. Standard SKILL.md installation does not imply verified compatibility.
- ai-agents Repository topic
- claude-code Repository topic
- cybersecurity Repository topic
- incident-response Repository topic
- mitre-attack Repository topic
- penetration-testing Repository topic
- red-team Repository topic
- security Repository topic
- cloud-security Repository topic
- malware-analysis Repository topic
- vulnerability-scanning Declared skill tag
- nessus Declared skill tag
- cve Declared skill tag
- patch-management Declared skill tag
- tenable Declared skill tag
- legal Derived category
- devops Derived category
- security Derived category
Files and excerpt
File metadata and permitted, redacted excerpts come from the recorded scan. Source links are pinned to that commit.
Browse files
LICENSEasset · 11,255 bytesSKILL.mdcore · 11,300 bytesSKILL.mdcore · 11,300 bytesreferences/api-reference.mddoc · 2,499 bytesscripts/agent.pyruns · 7,209 bytes
Read excerpt
# Performing Vulnerability Scanning with Nessus
## When to Use
- Conducting initial vulnerability assessment during the reconnaissance phase of a penetration test
- Performing periodic vulnerability scans to maintain compliance with PCI-DSS (requirement 11.2), HIPAA, or SOC 2 standards
- Validating that remediation efforts have successfully addressed previously identified vulnerabilities
- Establishing a baseline of known vulnerabilities before targeted manual exploitation
- Auditing patch compliance and configuration drift across server and workstation fleets
**Do not use** as a substitute for manual penetration testing, against systems without written authorization, or against fragile systems (medical devices, legacy SCADA) where scanning may cause service disruption.
## Prerequisites
- Tenable Nessus Professional or Nessus Expert with current plugin updates (plugins should be less than 24 hours old)