Introducing VulnClarify: An Open-Source, AI-Enhanced Web Vulnerability Scanner for Small Organizations and Charitable Groups

As cybersecurity continues to be a critical concern for organizations of all sizes, access to reliable scanning tools remains a challenge—especially for small businesses, charities, and independent practitioners with limited budgets. To address this gap, I am pleased to unveil VulnClarify, an innovative proof-of-concept project developed during my final year at university.

What is VulnClarify?

VulnClarify is an experimental software designed to leverage the power of large language models (LLMs) to assist in web security assessments. It aims to simplify the process of identifying and understanding common web vulnerabilities, making basic security evaluations more approachable for organizations without in-house security teams.

Key Features:

• AI-Driven Vulnerability Insights: Utilizes advanced language models to interpret and clarify security issues, aiding users in understanding potential risks.
• Flexible Deployment: Can be run locally on your machine or within a Docker container, facilitating easy setup and testing.
• Educational and Exploratory: Serves as a foundation to explore how Artificial Intelligence can support cybersecurity efforts, rather than a polished, production-ready tool.

The Motivation Behind Development

Traditional vulnerability scanning solutions are often expensive and complex, creating barriers for smaller organizations seeking to bolster their security. My goal with VulnClarify was to harness emerging AI technologies to lower these barriers, democratizing access to essential security insights and encouraging proactive defense strategies.

Call to Action

I invite you to explore VulnClarify by:

• Running the pre-configured Docker image, which requires minimal setup
• Sharing your feedback on usability and the effectiveness of vulnerability detection
• Contributing code improvements, bug fixes, or additional features through GitHub pull requests
• Suggesting new ideas or integrations that could further enhance AI’s role in cybersecurity

Important Considerations

Please keep in mind that VulnClarify is a developmental prototype. Expect some bugs and incomplete features. It is vital to only test this tool on websites you own or have explicit permission to assess. For detailed instructions and disclaimers, refer to the project’s GitHub repository README.

I am enthusiastic about discussing this project, the future of AI in security, and open-source development. Your insights and contributions are highly appreciated. Thank you for taking an interest in VulnClarify!