BlueArch

Guide

Contents

Overview Requirements Install via ISO Install as Repo Installing Tools Tool Groups Upgrading Keyring Contributing

Overview

BlueArch Linux is an Arch Linux-based penetration testing distribution. You can use it as a standalone OS by installing from the ISO, or add it as a pacman repository on top of an existing Arch Linux install.

Because it follows Arch's rolling release model, all packages stay up-to-date. There is no version numbering — you just keep the system updated.

Requirements

Minimum

CPU: x86_64   RAM: 512 MB (2 GB recommended)   Disk: 20 GB

Architecture

Only x86_64 is supported.

Install via ISO

Write the ISO to a USB drive

Download the ISO from the Downloads page, then write it to a USB drive:

root ~ $ dd if=bluearch-linux-x86_64.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress root ~ $ sync

Replace /dev/sdX with your USB drive. Boot from it and follow the installer.

Install as a Repository

The strap script adds the BlueArch GPG keys to your system and adds the BlueArch repository to /etc/pacman.conf. Run it as root on any Arch Linux system:

root@arch ~ $ curl -O https://bluearch.network/strap.sh root@arch ~ $ sha1sum strap.sh 9f770789df3b7803105e5fbc19212889674cd503c strap.sh root@arch ~ $ chmod +x strap.sh && ./strap.sh :: BlueArch repository added. Updating system...

Installing Tools

Single tool

root@bluearch ~ $ pacman -S nmap

Multiple tools

root@bluearch ~ $ pacman -S nmap sqlmap metasploit

Search for a tool

root@bluearch ~ $ pacman -Ss bluearch | grep webapp

Tool Groups

Tools are grouped by category. You can install a whole category at once:

# List all BlueArch groups root@bluearch ~ $ pacman -Sg | grep bluearch bluearch-webapp bluearch-exploitation bluearch-forensic bluearch-recon bluearch-wireless bluearch-crypto bluearch (all tools) # Install all tools in a group root@bluearch ~ $ pacman -S bluearch-webapp # Install everything root@bluearch ~ $ pacman -S bluearch

Upgrading

Because BlueArch follows Arch's rolling release, you just run a normal system update:

root@bluearch ~ $ pacman -Syu

Do this regularly. There are no major version upgrades — the system stays current.

Keyring Issues

If you get GPG errors, refresh the keyring:

root@bluearch ~ $ pacman -S bluearch-keyring archlinux-keyring root@bluearch ~ $ pacman-key --populate archlinux bluearch

Contributing

Fork the repository on Github, write a PKGBUILD for the tool you want to add, test it, and open a pull request. Tools must have a working PKGBUILD and a category. If you find a bug, open an issue on the tracker or email us.