Kali Linux Metapackages
Table of Contents
What are metapackages
Metapackages are used to install many packages at one time, created as a list of dependencies on other packages. Kali Linux uses these in a few ways. One way is allowing users to decide how many packages out of the total Kali list they would like to install. Need just enough to use Linux? Want enough to conduct Pentests? Perhaps nearly every package available in Kali?
To install a metapackage, we are going to first update the system. While not mandatory, this step is highly recommended to make sure the metapackages can be installed without any unexpected side-effects. The procedure to update Kali is documented in details on the page Updating Kali, but in short, it boils down to two commands:
kali@kali:~$ sudo apt update
kali@kali:~$
kali@kali:~$ sudo apt full-upgrade -y
kali@kali:~$
The step above might take a while, depending on how many packages need to be updated. After it’s complete, installing a metapackage (kali-linux-default
in this example) is simply a matter of running one command:
kali@kali:~$ sudo apt install -y kali-linux-default
kali@kali:~$
Alternatively we can use kali-tweaks
to install metapackage groups for us. We first run the following command:
kali@kali:~$ kali-tweaks
From here we will navigate into the “Metapackages” tab. Now we just select which metapackages we want and then we cant hit “Apply” then “OK” and finally supply our password.
System
kali-linux-core
: Base Kali Linux System – core items that are always includedkali-linux-headless
: Default install that doesn’t require GUIkali-linux-default
: “Default” desktop images include these toolskali-linux-arm
: All tools suitable for ARM deviceskali-linux-nethunter
: Tools used as part of Kali NetHunter
Desktop environments/Window managers
kali-desktop-core
: Any key tools required for a GUI imagekali-desktop-e17
: Enlightenment (WM)kali-desktop-gnome
: GNOME (DE)kali-desktop-i3
: i3 (WM)kali-desktop-kde
: KDE (DE)kali-desktop-lxde
: LXDE (WM)kali-desktop-mate
: MATE (DE)kali-desktop-xfce
: Xfce (WM)
Tools
kali-tools-gpu
: Tools which benefit from having access to GPU hardwarekali-tools-hardware
: Hardware hacking toolskali-tools-crypto-stego
: Tools based around Cryptography & Steganographykali-tools-fuzzing
: For fuzzing protocolskali-tools-802-11
: 802.11 (Commonly known as “Wi-Fi”)kali-tools-bluetooth
: For targeting Bluetooth deviceskali-tools-rfid
: Radio-Frequency IDentification toolskali-tools-sdr
: Software-Defined Radio toolskali-tools-voip
: Voice over IP toolskali-tools-windows-resources
: Any resources which can be executed on a Windows hostskali-linux-labs
: Environments for learning and practising on
Menu
kali-tools-information-gathering
: Used for Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) & information gatheringkali-tools-vulnerability
: Vulnerability assessments toolskali-tools-web
: Designed doing web applications attackskali-tools-database
: Based around any database attackskali-tools-passwords
: Helpful for password cracking attacks – Online & offlinekali-tools-wireless
: All tools based around Wireless protocols – 802.11, Bluetooth, RFID & SDRkali-tools-reverse-engineering
: For reverse engineering binarieskali-tools-exploitation
: Commonly used for doing exploitationkali-tools-social-engineering
: Aimed for doing social engineering techniqueskali-tools-sniffing-spoofing
: Any tools meant for sniffing & spoofingkali-tools-post-exploitation
: Techniques for post exploitation stagekali-tools-forensics
: Forensic tools – Live & Offlinekali-tools-reporting
: Reporting tools
Others
kali-linux-large
: Our previous default tools for imageskali-linux-everything
: Every metapackage and tool listed herekali-desktop-live
: Used during a live session when booted from the image
Updated on: 2023-Jun-19
Authors:
gamb1t
,
g0tmi1k
,
daniruiz