Mastering Dirsearch: Finding Hidden Web Directories

3 min readSep 12, 2024

Are you looking to enhance your web penetration testing skills? Look no further than Dirsearch. This powerful tool is a favorite among cybersecurity professionals for uncovering hidden directories and files on web servers.

In this article, we’ll explore how to use Dirsearch, provide an overview of its commands, explain how to set it up on Windows, and highlight some best practices to make your scans more effective.

What is Dirsearch?

Dirsearch is a command-line tool designed to brute-force directories and files on web servers. Created by Mauro Soria, Dirsearch is written in Python and available on the Dirsearch GitHub repository. It helps penetration testers and security enthusiasts find hidden directories that aren’t directly accessible from a website’s navigation.

Dirsearch is known for its speed and efficiency, thanks to its multithreading capabilities and customizable options. It allows users to use their own wordlists, set specific extensions, and leverage HTTP methods, making it a versatile tool for directory enumeration.

Why Dirsearch for Directory Enumeration?

Hidden web directories often contain sensitive information like configuration files, backups, and admin panels that could be exploited if not properly secured. Using Dirsearch, you can:

Perform fast scans using multithreading.
Customize scans with specific wordlists, extensions, and HTTP methods.
Stay stealthy with proxy support and randomized User-Agent strings.
Run scans across multiple platforms, including Linux, macOS, and Windows.

If you’re interested in learning how to use Dirsearch effectively, keep reading!

How to Install Dirsearch from GitHub

To get started with Dirsearch, you first need to install it from the Dirsearch GitHub repository. Here’s a quick guide:

Step 1: Clone the Dirsearch GitHub Repository

Open your terminal and enter the following command:

git clone https://github.com/maurosoria/dirsearch.git
cd dirsearch

Step 2: Install Dependencies

Dirsearch requires Python and some additional libraries. Install them using:

pip install -r requirements.txt

Step 3: Run Dirsearch

Once installed, you can run Dirsearch with:

python3 dirsearch.py -u <URL>

Key Dirsearch Commands You Need to Know

Understanding the right commands is crucial when using Dirsearch. Here are some essential commands to help you get started:

Basic Scan

To perform a basic scan, run:

python3 dirsearch.py -u http://example.com -e php,html,txt

This command will scan the website http://example.com for directories with the extensions .php, .html, and .txt.

Custom Wordlist

You can specify a custom wordlist using the -w option:

python3 dirsearch.py -u http://example.com -w /path/to/wordlist.txt

Increase Scan Speed with Multithreading

Boost your scanning speed by adjusting the number of threads:

python3 dirsearch.py -u http://example.com -e php,html -t 50

Randomize User-Agent

To avoid detection, use a random User-Agent with the -r option:

python3 dirsearch.py -u http://example.com -e php,html -r

Save Scan Results

Save the output of your scans to a file for later analysis:

python3 dirsearch.py -u http://example.com -e php,html -o results.txt

These are just a few of the many options available when using Dirsearch. Explore these commands to get the most out of your directory enumeration tasks.

How to Use Dirsearch for Windows

If you’re wondering about Dirsearch for Windows, here’s a simple setup guide:

Install Python: Make sure Python is installed on your Windows machine. Download it from the official Python website.
Download Dirsearch: Clone the Dirsearch repository from GitHub or download it directly.
Run Dirsearch: Open the Command Prompt, navigate to the Dirsearch directory, and use the Python commands mentioned above to start scanning.

By following these steps, you can effectively use Dirsearch on Windows for all your directory enumeration needs.

Conclusion

Dirsearch is an essential tool for any penetration tester or cybersecurity professional. With its customizable options, speed, and cross-platform compatibility, Dirsearch is a powerful choice for directory enumeration. Whether you’re using Dirsearch for Windows or on a Linux server, mastering its commands and best practices will significantly enhance your web security assessments.

To get started, download Dirsearch from the Dirsearch GitHub repository and start exploring the hidden corners of the web today.