# iagox86/dnscat2

Repository: https://github.com/iagox86/dnscat2
Canonical: https://ross.abutalabs.com/products/dnscat2
Language: PHP
License: BSD-3-Clause
License Family: permissive
Last push: 2024-03-14T11:17:49+00:00

## Health v2 (maintenance only)
Score: 23/100 (v2, computed 2026-09-03T02:20:16.233290+00:00)
- activity 0, release rhythm 8, longevity 100
- inputs: {"age_days": 4989, "days_push": 902, "days_rel": null, "gap_med": null, "n_releases_24m": 0}
- flags: none
- formula: round(0.45*activity + 0.35*rhythm + 0.20*longevity); archived -> min(score, 10)

## Adoption (not part of the score)
Stars 3958, forks 652 (observed 2026-08-28T04:08:30.527765+00:00)

## What it is
dnscat2 is an encrypted DNS tunneling tool designed to create a command-and-control (C&C) channel over the DNS protocol. It consists of a C client for compromised machines and a Ruby server that runs on an authoritative DNS server, supporting file transfers, shells, and TCP tunneling.

## Use cases
- establish a C2 channel through restrictive firewalls using DNS
- tunnel encrypted traffic out of networks that only allow DNS
- run a remote shell on a compromised host via DNS
- upload and download files over a DNS tunnel
- pivot into internal networks by tunneling TCP over DNS
- demonstrate DNS exfiltration risks during penetration tests

## When to choose
- you need a covert, encrypted C2 channel where only DNS traffic is allowed
- you are performing an authorized penetration test or red team engagement
- you want a tunneling tool with minimal client dependencies that compiles almost anywhere

## When to avoid
- you just want general-purpose network tunneling to bypass a hotel or airplane network
- you need a stealthy tool for legitimate production traffic
- you are not authorized to test the target network - unauthorized use is illegal

## Facets
- artifact type: cli-tool
- maturity: maintenance
- function: security, networking, cryptography
- domain: penetration-testing, security, networking
- platform: windows, cross-platform, cli
- tags: dns-tunneling, command-and-control, penetration-testing, red-team, c2, linux, macos

## Member repositories
- iagox86/dnscat2 (main) score 23

## Provenance
- Observed fields: from GitHub, fetched 2026-08-28T04:08:30.527765+00:00.
- Health v2: computed from the inputs above; adoption is never an input.
- Inferred fields (summary, facets, guidance): AI-extracted, prompt v1, taxonomy v1, on 2026-08-29T18:24:28.907203+00:00, confidence not recorded.
  - readme: https://github.com/iagox86/dnscat2 (fetched 2026-08-28T04:08:30.527765+00:00, sha 02e723254276)
- Data as of 2026-08-30T08:39:29.467469+00:00.