Radare2 vs XSSer: Which Vulnerability Research tool is Best in 2025?

Radare2 is an open-source, modular reverse engineering framework, pre-installed on Kali Linux at /usr/bin/r2, designed for analyzing binaries, disassembling code, and debugging software across multiple platforms. Initiated by Sergi Alvarez (pancake) in 2006, Radare2 offers a suite of command-line tools, a graphical interface (Cutter), and scripting APIs for tasks like malware analysis, firmware auditing, and exploit development. Supporting architectures such as x86, ARM, MIPS, and WebAssembly, it’s a favorite among cybersecurity researchers, ethical hackers, and CTF enthusiasts for its lightweight design and extensibility.

XSSer, also known as Cross-Site Scripter, is a robust, open-source penetration testing tool designed to detect, exploit, and report Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in web applications. Built for security researchers and ethical hackers, it automates the process of identifying XSS flaws, including reflected, persistent, and DOM-based vulnerabilities. XSSer is pre-installed on Kali Linux, a leading penetration testing distribution, and supports multiple platforms like Ubuntu, ArchLinux, and Fedora. With features like payload customization, firewall bypass techniques, and detailed reporting, XSSer is a go-to tool for assessing web application security.