The complexity and tenacity of cyberattacks have stimulated the transition of red teaming from a specialised field to an important part of proactive defence plans. In the year 2025, companies are spending more on offensive security methods to expose hidden vulnerabilities before they are discovered by attackers. Red Teaming imitates actual attacks on the digital, physical and social frontiers and is beyond traditional testing. 

Unlike traditional security methods that involve the inadequacy of technology and human errors, red team operations are goal-orientated, stealth-driven and comprehensive; advantageous on both fronts, be it technology or human intelligence. Security experts are leaning towards the use of high-level specialised tools to eviscerate their cyber enemies. This blog is an open discussion on the rise and relevance of red teaming tools. We have also curated a list of the top 15 red teaming tools of 2025 selected specifically for security professionals. If you aim to keep up with the rapidly evolving cyber battlefield, read along.

The Rise and Relevance of Red Teaming in 2025

Red teaming tools are specialised software and hardware designed to simulate cyberattacks on an organisation’s IT infrastructure. They are specially designed by and for security professionals. These tools simulate strategies used by malicious threat actors for exploiting vulnerabilities, allowing organisations to evaluate the efficiency of their security mechanisms. Unlike traditional security methods, red teaming employs a comprehensive adversary emulation strategy that tests not just technological defences but also human and process-related weaknesses. Deploying red teaming tools and exercises, security teams can uncover weaknesses in network defences, application security, user awareness, etc. The red teaming tactics range from automated exploitation methods to customised scripts and social engineering kits. The insights generated from red team exercises are invaluable for improving incident response and strengthening the overall security posture.

Red teaming technologies and tools are important because they provide a realistic simulation of prospective cyberattacks. They assist organisations in identifying and resolving vulnerabilities before attackers may exploit them. Key advantages include:

• Red teaming tools reveal hidden flaws in systems, networks, and processes.
• Enhanced incident response that helps organisations test and fine-tune their response strategies in real time.
• Regular red teaming exercises promote continual improvement in security procedures and staff awareness.
• Showing that security controls have been thoroughly tested can help organisations achieve compliance obligations and mitigate audit risks.
• Organisations that routinely deploy red team tools are more prepared for real-world threats and can adapt their defences to changing threat landscapes.

If you wish to learn more about red teaming, you can browse through our blog on the topic. Click Here to Read More

List of Top 15 Red Teaming Tools in 2025

The increasing amount of cyber threats necessitates IT professionals and security analysts to become familiar with the most recent and effective cybersecurity tools. Cyber threats evolve with technology, so it’s vital to stay ahead of the curve with the most recent cybersecurity solutions for detecting, stopping, and mitigating attacks. This section of our blog post will explore the top 15 red teaming tools you should be familiar with in 2025, covering a variety of tools one by one. 

1. Cobalt Strike

Cobalt Strike is a leading cybersecurity service provider. Their post-exploitation framework created for the purpose of adversary simulations is a modern marvel. The feature set and smooth team collaboration make it a must-have tool for offensive teams. 

Key Features:

• Powerful Beacon load for quiet communications
• Built-in support for Malleable C2 profiles
• Modules of aggressive lateral movement and privilege escalation
• Real-time collaboration among team members

With an emphasis on stealth, evasion, and dynamics, it’s the best option for long-term missions.

2. Sliver

Silver has become the number one choice for open-source tools. It has captured enormous interest in the field of red teaming due to modulability and active development.

Key Features:

• Cross-platform implants (Windows, Linux, macOS)
• Secure C2 via HTTPS, mTLS, DNS, and other means
• Multi-user collaboration with role-based access
• Sending dynamic payloads with techniques to avoid detection

Sliver’s capability to adapt to new evasion methods and solutions to these methods is irreplaceable in today’s emulation of threats.

3. Mythic

Mythic is a web-based command and control framework. It provides red teamers with the ability to simply extend and operate multi-platform campaigns effortlessly.

Key Features:

• New agents which are customisable and written in various languages
• Latest online interface to monitor and task
• API of integration and automation in the form of RESTful
• Plugin-based architecture

Its visual interface and an open development model make it possible to fully customise it for any set of interactions.

4. Impacket

Impacket is a Python library of post-exploitation scripts providing low-level programmatic access to network protocols. Its most common uses include lateral movement, credential dumping, and remote execution.

Key Features:

• Access to tools such as wmiexec.py, smbexec.py, and secretsdump.py
• Supports SMB, RDP, Kerberos, etc.
• Allows for NTLM relaying as well as credential harvesting

It is useful for mimicking APT lateral movement behaviours. Requisites for scripting and simulating custom offensive workflows such as Impacket are necessary to achieve this effort.

5. BloodHound

BloodHound utilises graph theory to examine the AD (Active Directory) environment and thus discovers secret privilege escalations which are used by the attackers.

Key Features:

• Shows the path found of AD permissions, trust relationships, and attack paths
• Integrates with SharpHound data collector
• Helps to identify user and group privilege chains
• Query-based analysis with Neo4j backend

For the AD-based red team exercises, BloodHound cannot be compared in mapping and exploiting privilege escalation.

6. Nishang

Nishang is a diverse PowerShell framework that covers everything from exploitation scripts to persistence and reconnaissance in the Windows environment.

Key Features:

• Recon and data exfiltration tools
• Credential harvesting scripts
• Reverse shells and backdoors
• PowerShell payload generation

It is used in PowerShell-based attack cases, particularly in the initial and persistence phases.

7. Koadic

Also referred to as COM Command & Control, Koadic works similarly to Metasploit but is totally PowerShell-based, which makes it suitable in stealthy Windows environments.

Key Features:

• Runs almost entirely in memory
• Exploits Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI)
• Keylogging module, remote execution module, and data theft module
• Supports HTTPS communication for C2

Koadic is ideal for red teams who are interested in targets executing fileless malware and persistence using WMI.

8. CrackMapExec (CME)

CrackMapExec is popularly referred to as the network Swiss Army knife for cybersecurity professionals. It offers red teamers and pen testers network enumeration and post-exploitation all in one. It has a lot of features from other tools bundled with it in a single, easy-to-use interface.

Key Features:

• Windows Manager-Based Credentials, Remote Desktop-Based Credentials and Port 5985 enumeration and Command Execution
• Credential validation and spraying
• Lateral movement using pass the hash or pass the ticket
• Large Active Directory information gathering

CME makes it easy to perform complex activities in Windows domains, hence its popularity on the red team.

9. Evil-WinRM

Evil-WinRM is a powerful WinRM shell for remote administrative purposes across Windows systems, well known for its simplicity and stealth.

Key Features:

• Interactive shell access via WinRM
• Upload/download functionality
• Memory-based script execution
• Built-in credential handling

Its accuracy in post-exploitation and fileless command running equates it to a perfect tool for sneaky campaigns.

10. Farsight

Farsight is a planning and tracking tool for red team engagements which is also finely tuned and provides structured TTP documentation while tracking in real time.

Key Features:

• MITRE ATT&CK-aligned campaign tracking
• Operative collaboration for long-term operations
• Visibility into engagement stages and activity of operators
• Synchronisation with other red team tools

Farsight improves operational discipline and the level of accountability for each campaign within professional red teams.

11. SilentTrinity

SilentTrinity combines Python and .NET to bypass mainstream AV protection and run high-customisation and obfuscated payloads.

Key Features:

• Combines C# and IronPython scripting
• Advanced obfuscation techniques
• C2 over HTTPS
• The ease of integrating a script and the kit delivery of a payload

Its creative approach will help avoid detection and improve the customisation of payloads in limited environments.

12. Pupy

Pupy is a cross-platform remote administration tool, which is extremely focused on in-memory operations and stealth.

Key Features:

• Python-based implants
• Works on: Windows, Linux, macOS and Android
• Remote code execution, keylogging and tunnelling
• In-memory payload delivery and a multiplicity of user control

Pupy is useful for long-term use on many platforms, stealthily establishing a foothold.

13. RedELK

Red-ELK is a tool that uses an ELK stack to provide red teams with instant insight into its work to keep track of detection and sharpen tactics.

Key Features:

• Logging of red team activities at a centralised place
• Alerts for blue team detection
• Maps attacks to MITRE ATT&CK
• Cobalt Strike, Sliver and many other integrations

RedELK converts the output from red team activities into practical information that can be used to tune operability and stealth.

14. Invoke-Obfuscation

Invoke-Obfuscation is a PowerShell obfuscation framework for red teaming experts to evade signature-based and behavioural defensive mechanisms.

Key Features:

• Several obfuscation levels (encoding, manipulation of strings, renaming of variables)
• Works with any PowerShell payload
• Easily automates evasion logic
• Includes anti-forensic capabilities

When some sort of return execution is needed, Invoke-Obfuscation makes it easier for red teams to bypass guardedly set defences.

15. Covenant

Covenant is a collaborative red team framework based on .NET, which was created for offensive development.

Key Features:

• Multi-platform Grunt agents
• Web-based interface with C2 management
• Supports scripting using C# and development of modules
• Active developer and community support

Covenant facilitates .NET red team operations with a cut-down extensible architecture.

Final Thoughts: Equipping for Modern Red Teaming

Why is it required to perform “red teaming” in 2025? Well, more than anything else, security today necessitates accuracy, stealth, a capability to respond to the ever-changing landscape, and great knowledge of the behaviour traits of all adversaries – new or old. The red teaming tools mentioned in this blog are not just for utility; they are facilitators of offensive security innovation. Sourced together in an effective manner, they offer full coverage in the entire red team lifecycle—namely reconnaissance, initial access, exploitation, lateral movement, persistence, and finally exfiltration. 

Security industry experts and ethical hackers cannot only afford to keep abreast of these tools; they must also be proficient users of these tools in simulated and real-world engagements. In summary, the collaboration between the red teaming tools and your security teams is a proactive and effective way to strengthen your organisation’s cyber security. Trust us when we say it will promote a holistic and continuous improvement approach to security. With GoAllSecure, you can get the best of both worlds. We have expert red teamers ready to assist you with red teaming tools and everything security-related. Get comprehensive and top-tier security services and solutions with us. Feel free to get in touch with our team for your cyber security needs. For more information about us, kindly call us at +91 85 2723 7851 or +44 20 3287 4253.

FAQs

1. What is red teaming in cybersecurity?

Red teaming is a method of testing cybersecurity efficacy in which ethical hackers launch a simulated and nondestructive cyberattack. The simulated attack enables an organisation to uncover system vulnerabilities and make targeted enhancements to security operations.

2. What is the importance of red teaming?

Red teaming exercises allow organisations to gain an attacker’s perspective on their systems. This perspective allows the organisation to assess how well its defences might withstand a real-world cyberattack.

3. What are the 5 steps of red teaming?

The red team lifecycle consists of the following steps:

1. reconnaissance
2. initial access
3. exploitation
4. lateral movement and persistence
5. exfiltration

4. What is the purpose of teaming?

Red teaming specialises in discovering vulnerabilities that can be exploited by threat actors. The red team uses these vulnerabilities to gain access to the system and, in the process, reveals the loopholes that need immediate attention.

5. How frequently should red teaming exercises be conducted?

Red teaming should be performed regularly, at least once a year to be specific. With more frequent testing an organisation will be better aware of the looming threats, thus being more protected. Remember that the frequency of red teaming exercises also depends on the strength of your infrastructure.

6. How do I choose the right red teaming tools for my organisation?

Choosing the right red teaming tool for your organisation requires you to consider a few things. Here is what any organisation must factor in:

• Organisation’s needs
• Specifications of the tool
• Credentials and certifications
• Cost-effectiveness and so on.