Kali Linux 2023.1 – Adds Kali Purple for defensive security, python updates, new tools

10th-anniversary celebration with new Kali Linux version – 2023.1

Offensive Security has launched Kali Linux 2023.1, which marks the project’s 10th anniversary and is the first version of 2023. The release features a new distribution known as ‘Kali Purple,’ targeting Blue and Purple teamers for defensive security.

As part of the 10th-anniversary celebration, Offensive Security has teased a few special things lined up, with more information to come on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at 12:00:00 UTC/+0 GMT in a blog post.

The changelog summary for Kali 2023.1 since the previous 2022.4 release in December includes:

• Kali Purple, which marks the dawn of a new era. Kali is not only an offensive tool but also starting to be defensive.
• Python changes include Python 3.11 and PIP changes going forward.
• The 2023 Theme update includes a once-a-year theme update, with this time featuring what’s old is new again.
• Desktop updates feature Xfce 4.18 and KDE Plasma 5.27.
• Default Kernel Settings update includes what makes the Kali kernel different.
• Finally, new tools have been added as always.

Kali Linux Purple

Offensive Security announced the release of Kali Purple, a new initiative to expand their expertise in offensive security to include defensive security. Kali Purple is currently in its technical preview pre-launch phase and will require time to mature. However, the direction of Kali’s expansion into defensive security is clear, and Offensive Security welcomes the community to help shape the future of Kali Purple.

Kali Purple is designed to be a one-stop-shop for blue and purple teams, offering accessibility and enterprise-grade security to everyone without requiring expensive licenses or commercial-grade infrastructure. Kali Purple will start as a Proof of Concept and evolve into a framework, then a platform, much like Kali Linux today.

Kali Purple comes equipped with a reference architecture for the ultimate SOC In-A-Box, making it perfect for learning, practicing SOC analysis and threat hunting, security control design and testing, blue/red/purple teaming exercises, and Kali spy vs. spy competitions. Kali Purple also offers over 100 defensive tools, including full packet capture and analysis, the cyber Swiss army knife, security information and event management, vulnerability scanning, incident response platforms, network traffic analysis tool suites, and intrusion detection systems.

Kali Purple includes defensive tool documentation, pre-generated images, and Kali Autopilot, an attack script builder and framework for automated attacks. It also offers a Kali Purple Hub for the community to share practice pcaps, Kali Autopilot scripts for blue teaming exercises, and a community Wiki. The defensive menu structure follows the National Institute of Standards and Technology Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity guidelines for identifying, protecting, detecting, responding, and recovering from cybersecurity incidents.

Finally, Kali Purple includes Discord channels for community collaboration and fun, as well as a custom theme for the installer, menu entries, and Xfce. Offensive Security sees Kali Purple as just the beginning of a new journey, and they are excited to share it with the community.

2023 Theme Refresh

The refresh includes new desktop, login, and boot wallpapers, as well as new themes, now available in Kali Purple flavor. The Kali Purple theme uses the white mode by default, but users can switch to the Dark Purple theme if they prefer. The update also includes new Purple themes and icons for all main desktops, including KDE Plasma, GNOME Shell, and Xfce.

This year, in celebration of their 10-year anniversary, Offensive Security’s theme refresh is a tribute to where they have come from. The new backgrounds are a direct reference to previous iconic Kali releases, with the boot background representing Kali 1.0, the login/lock background representing Kali 2.0, and the wallpaper representing Kali 1.1.

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The complete changelog for Kali 2023.1 is available on the Kali website, in addition to the improvements highlighted above.

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