---
layout: doc
title: How to create a Kali Linux VM
permalink: /doc/kali/
---

How to Create a Kali Linux VM
=============================

This guide is being created to give guidance on ways in which you could create a [Kali Linux](https://www.kali.org/) penetration testing VM (Qube) in Qubes OS.

Kali Linux is the most widely used penetration testing Linux distribution.

There are multiple ways to create a Kali Linux VM. One way is to create a HVM and use the offical ISO to install the system or convert a [Virtual Image](https://www.offensive-security.com/kali-linux-vmware-virtualbox-image-download/). Another way is to clone the Qubes OS Debian image and turn it into a Kali Linux distribution.

Kali Linux HVM
--------------

0 - Download the Kali installation DVD

1 - Create a new HVM

2 - Start the HVM with attached CD/DVD

~~~
qvm-start <hvm-name> --cdrom <vm-name>:/home/user/Downloads/<iso-name>.iso
~~~

Create Debian Based Kali Template
---------------------------------

0 - (Optional) Install `debian-8` template (if not already installed)

1 - Update your `debian-8` template

~~~
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
~~~

2 - Clone `debian-8` template (two options)

 1. Via Qubes VM Manager

    ![Clone Debian Template](/attachment/wiki/Kali/clone-kali.png)

 2. Via command line

    ~~~
    qvm-clone debian-8 kali
    ~~~

3 - Start and upgrade the `kali` Template from Debian 8 to Debian 9

~~~
user@kali:~$ sudo sed -i 's/jessie/stretch/g' /etc/apt/sources.list
user@kali:~$ sudo sed -i 's/jessie/stretch/g' /etc/apt/sources.list.d/qubes-r3.list
user@kali:~$ sudo apt-get update
user@kali:~$ sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
user@kali:~$ sudo apt-get autoremove
~~~

NOTICE: From now on there are two possible ways either doing everything manually or automatically with [Katoolin](https://github.com/LionSec/katoolin).

Katoolin is a script (written in Python) which helps you to install Kali tools.

4 *manually* - Add Kali Linux repositories

  1. Add Kali Linux repositories to `/etc/apt/sources.list`

  ~~~
  deb http://http.kali.org/kali kali-rolling main contrib non-free
  deb http://repo.kali.org/kali kali-bleeding-edge main
  ~~~

  2. Add kali signing key

    - The signing key can be found here [Download Kali Linux Images Securely](https://www.kali.org/downloads/)

      ~~~
      sudo apt-key adv --keyserver hkp://keys.gnupg.net --recv-keys 7D8D0BF6
      sudo apt-get update
      ~~~



4 *katoolin* - Install Katoolin and add Kali Linux repositories

  1. Install Katoolin

  ~~~
  sudo apt-get install git
  git clone https://github.com/LionSec/katoolin.git
  sudo cp katoolin/katoolin.py /usr/bin/katoolin
  sudo chmod +x /usr/bin/katoolin
  rm -rf katoolin
  ~~~

  2. Add Kali Linux repositories

    - start katoolin

      ~~~
      sudo katoolin
      ~~~

    - select 'Add Kali repositories & Update'

      ~~~
      1) Add Kali repositories & Update
      2) View Categories
      3) Install classicmenu indicator
      4) Install Kali menu
      5) Help

      kat > 1
      ~~~

      ![Add Kali repositories and Update menu](/attachment/wiki/Kali/katoolin-add-update-repo-menu.png)

    - select 'Add kali linux repositories'

      ~~~
      1) Add kali linux repositories
      2) Update
      3) Remove all kali linux repositories
      4) View the contents of sources.list file

      What do you want to do ?> 1
      ~~~

      ![Add Kali repositories](/attachment/wiki/Kali/katoolin-add-repos-menu.png)

    - update Kali repositories

      ~~~
      1) Add kali linux repositories
      2) Update
      3) Remove all kali linux repositories
      4) View the contents of sources.list file

      What do you want to do ?> 2
      ~~~

    - quit katoolin by pressing `CRTL` + `c` keys

      ~~~
      What do you want to do ?> ^CShutdown requested...Goodbye...
      ~~~

5 - Cleanup and update `kali` template

~~~
sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
sudo apt-get autoremove
~~~


6 - Shutdown and trim `kali` template

  - Shutdown `kali` template

    ~~~
    sudo shutdown -h now
    ~~~

  - In `dom0` console:

    ~~~
    qvm-trim-template kali
    ~~~

7 - Start image

8 *manually* - Install tools

**Warning:** `kali-linux` and `kali-linux-full` does currently not work properly. Please use `Katoolin` or `PTF`.

  1. List available packages

    ~~~
    sudo apt-cache search kali-linux
    ~~~

  2. Select and install tools

    - install base system

      ~~~
      sudo apt-get install kali-linux
      ~~~

    - or install all tools

      ~~~
      sudo apt-get install kali-linux-full
      ~~~

    - or select specific (example):

      ~~~
      sudo apt-get install kali-linux-top10 kali-linux-web
      ~~~

8 *katoolin* - Install tools

  1. View Categories

    - start katoolin

      ~~~
      sudo katoolin
      ~~~

    - select `2) View Categories`

  2. Select the categories/tools you want to install

    - For more information on how to use Katoolin see [How to Auto Install All Kali Linux Tools Using “Katoolin” on Debian/Ubuntu](http://www.tecmint.com/install-kali-linux-tools-using-katoolin-on-ubuntu-debian/)

    - **Note:** The `all` option does not work for `Information Gathering`, `Web Apps`, `Forensic Tools`, `Reverse Engineering` and `Extra`.

9 - Create a AppVMs based on the `kali` template

  - (Optional) Attach necessary devices


Alternative Options to Kali
---------------------------

- [BlackArch](/doc/blackarch/)
- [PenTester Framework (PTF)](/doc/ptf/)