AI Pentest Companion

Christopher Bleckmann-Dreher

• 3 min read

Building an AI-Powered Pentest Companion App that integrates Burp Suite's tools to assist pentesters during real-time assessments can significantly enhance productivity and efficiency. Below is an outline of how Burp Suite tools can be utilized within such an app, with relevant examples of practical implementations:

1. Proxy and HTTP History Analysis

Tools:

  • burp-get_proxy_http_history
  • burp-get_proxy_http_history_regex
  • burp-get_proxy_websocket_history
  • burp-get_proxy_websocket_history_regex

Use Case:

  • Traffic Pattern Analysis: Automatically identify vulnerable endpoints by analyzing HTTP/WS history for insecure methods (e.g.,
    GET requests with sensitive data in query parameters, lack of authentication headers).
  • Regex Matching: Highlight endpoints matching patterns like /admin, /login, or specific API keys and secrets.

Example:

  • When the pentester visits a login endpoint, the app can automatically detect it and suggest injecting specific payloads or looking
    for insecure authentication mechanisms.

2. Task Execution Automation

Tool:

  • burp-set_task_execution_engine_state

Use Case:

  • Automation Control: Allow the AI agent to pause or resume the Burp Suite task engine. For example, pause scanning when the
    pentester wants to focus solely on manual testing, or resume to identify missed vulnerabilities.

3. Active Message Editor Integration

Tools:

  • burp-get_active_editor_contents
  • burp-set_active_editor_contents

Use Case:

  • AI-Informed Suggestions: The app can review requests in the active editor and automatically propose modifications (e.g.,
    adding SQLi payloads, XSS payloads, etc.).
  • Payload Generators: Based on context, the app can inject payloads such as Base64-encoded exploits or URL-encoded parameters.

Example:

  • While the pentester is testing an endpoint, the app detects missing Content-Security-Policy headers and advises attempting XSS
    payloads.

4. Repeater, Intruder, and Manual Testing

Tools:

  • burp-create_repeater_tab
  • burp-send_to_intruder

Use Case:

  • Automation + Creativity: Automatically send detected endpoints with unvalidated parameters to the Repeater or Intruder for
    further manual testing.
  • AI-Powered Intruder Setup: Suggest sophisticated attack patterns based on endpoint context (e.g., fuzzing JSON parameters with
    AI-generated payloads).

5. Encoding/Decoding and Payload Creation

Tools:

  • burp-url_encode
  • burp-url_decode
  • burp-base64encode
  • burp-base64decode
  • burp-generate_random_string

Use Case:

  • Transformation Helper: Automate common encoding/decoding tasks or create randomized tokens during testing.
  • Advanced Payloads: Provide pre-constructed payloads for testing vulnerabilities like JWT manipulation, SSRF encodings, etc.

Example:

  • A pentester identifies a Base64 string in the response and the app decodes it in real time to reveal sensitive information.

6. Issue Insights

Tool:

  • burp-get_scanner_issues

Use Case:

  • Vulnerability Summarization: Present an AI-curated summary of current scanner issues, including potential exploit strategies
    or required manual verification.
  • Prioritize Manual Testing: Suggest endpoints likely to yield higher rewards for manual testing based on past findings.

7. Context-Based Recommendations

Tool:

  • burp-output_project_options
  • burp-output_user_options
  • burp-set_project_options
  • burp-set_user_options

Use Case:

  • Customized Pentesting: Dynamically adjust project options (e.g., scanner aggressiveness, excluded file types) based on
    observed application behavior or pentester goals.
  • AI Tuned Profiles: Switch between aggressive or stealthy testing profiles as directed by the pentester or the app's AI.

8. Filesystem Integration

Tools:

  • filesystem-read_file
  • filesystem-write_file
  • filesystem-edit_file
  • filesystem-search_files
  • filesystem-directory_tree

Use Case:

  • Payload Inventory Management: Store, edit, and retrieve premade payloads or scanner templates that assist during testing.
  • Logging and Reporting: Maintain a structured directory for storing discovered vulnerabilities, logs, or session-based evidence
    files.

9. Custom AI-Led Actions

  • Request Building:
    • The app observes pentesters' workflows and suggests pre-constructed requests or headers for specific vulnerabilities (e.g.,
      Authorization headers for sensitive endpoints).
  • Interactive Queries:
    • Engage the pentester for decisions (e.g., "You visited /admin; would you like me to test for IDOR here?").

10. Collaborative Features

Tool:

  • Integration with Burp Suite Collaborator

Use Case:

  • Active Exploitation: Automate payload crafting that interacts with Burp Collaborator for vulnerability checks (e.g.,
    OAST—Out-of-Band Application Security Testing).
  • Highlighted Observations: Report observed interaction triggers back to pentesters with AI-analyzed insights.

Real-World Benefits of an AI Pentest Companion

  1. Context Awareness: Tailored suggestions based on the application's observed behavior (e.g., tech stack, exposed headers).
  2. Time Optimization: Automate repetitive tasks like URL encoding, token manipulation, or multi-step login sequences.
  3. Knowledge Augmentation: Leverage AI to provide explanations, exploit scenarios, or testing strategies for less experienced
    pentesters.
  4. Dynamic Suggestions: As pentesters interact with the application, the AI companion adapts and evolves its recommendations in
    real time.