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

Enhancing Web Security Accessibility with Cutting-Edge AI Technology

In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, small businesses, charitable organizations, and individual developers often face significant hurdles when trying to assess and improve their website defenses. High-quality vulnerability scanning tools tend to be costly and complex, leaving many without the necessary resources to proactively identify and mitigate security risks.

Today, I am pleased to share my final year university project, VulnClarify—a pioneering proof-of-concept designed to bridge this gap by leveraging the power of large language models (LLMs) to assist in web vulnerability detection.

What is VulnClarify?

VulnClarify represents an innovative step toward democratizing web security. It combines Artificial Intelligence with traditional scanning techniques to help users better understand potential vulnerabilities in their websites. Built as an early-stage prototype, it offers the following features:

• AI-Assisted Vulnerability Identification: Utilizes LLMs to highlight and interpret possible security issues, making the assessment process more intuitive.
• Flexibility and Convenience: Runs locally or within a dedicated Docker environment, ensuring ease of deployment without complex configurations.
• Educational Value: Offers insights into vulnerabilities, helping users learn more about web security fundamentals.

The Motivation Behind the Project

Professional vulnerability scanners, while effective, often come with hefty licensing costs and steep learning curves. This project aims to leverage AI’s capabilities to empower smaller organizations and individuals, enabling them to perform basic security checks with minimal technical barriers. The ultimate goal is to foster a more inclusive security culture and help protect vital web assets.

How You Can Contribute

The project is still in its infancy, and your involvement can make a meaningful difference:

• Test the Tool: Use the provided Docker image for quick setup—no complicated installations required.
• Share Feedback: Help identify bugs, assess detection effectiveness, and suggest improvements.
• Contribute to Development: Submit pull requests on GitHub with code enhancements, bug fixes, or new features.
• Suggest New Use Cases: Propose additional ways AI could augment security tools or workflows.

Important Disclaimers

Please note that VulnClarify is a proof-of-concept and may contain incomplete features or bugs. Use it responsibly—only test on websites you own or have explicit permission to analyze. For detailed setup instructions and legal considerations