What does Nikto primarily test for?

Nikto is an open-source web server scanner that is specifically designed to identify vulnerabilities and security weaknesses in web servers. One of its primary functions is to detect outdated versions of web server software, as these can often contain known vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit. By checking for these outdated versions, Nikto helps organizations ensure that their web applications are running on secure and updated software, thus mitigating potential risks.

Additionally, Nikto is capable of testing for various types of vulnerabilities, such as common misconfigurations, default files, and scripts that could present security issues. However, its core focus encompasses identifying outdated server versions, which is critical in maintaining a secure web environment and protecting against potential exploits.