ProtoCrawlerTM is an intelligent fuzz testing solution, used to identify security weaknesses & implementation bugs
Our customers use ProtoCrawlerTM as part of a continuous assurance process, to support the development of robust and resilient products.
Not sure if fuzz testing is for you?
What our customers say...
Why should I use ProtoCrawlerTM?
- Next generation fuzzing
- Intelligent test generation
- Detailed protocol understanding
- Automated analysis
- Evidence gathering for debugging
- Traceability of coverage
- Multi-platform
- Can also be used for functional testing
- Aligns with certification requirements
- Modular application and licensing model
Overview of ProtoCrawlerTM
Generation
Define your target interface and testing scope to match the time you have available.
- Save manual effort and time by automatically generating test configurations
- Tailor the level /structure of malformations to suit your test target
- Maximise code coverage using pre-configured test generators
- Re-use optimised testing configurations to support regression testing
Execution
Automatically produce test data, execute the tests, and collect detailed evidence.
- Instantly execute thousands of pre-configured tests
- Monitor testing progress in real-time using an intuitive GUI
- Pause, modify and edit testing configurations mid-test
- Seamlessly integrate into a test management system/workflow
Analysis
Automatically analyse your test results to see where you need to focus efforts.
- Pre-configured scoring matrix developed from years of testing experience
- Prioritise follow up investigations to focus on higher risk areas
- Customise scoring matrix and/or set pass/fail criteria
- All the tools to construct your own analysis approach/structure
Reporting
Extract reports to guide further testing activities or drive product fixes.
- Standard reports provide actionable insights
- Customise (and/or brand) your own reports
- Share key findings with internal risk owners or decision makers
- Demonstrate continuous improvement by comparing reports over time
Things you might uncover using ProtoCrawler
- Noncompliances against specifications
- Messages found to cause a device to reset, allowing DoS attacks
- Invalid messages not rejected by a device, leading to indeterminate action on the state
- Return of additional data from a device in response to malformed inputs, exposing old stack content
- Overriding field values with 'assumed values'
- Missing authentication data ignored
- Invalid authentication methods and data accepted
- Erroneous reporting and logging of error events
- Changes to data accepted where only reading of the data should be permitted
- Unexpected behaviours, alerting attackers to further potential vulnerabilities
Interested? Book a demo with our team of specialists
Find out more about ProtoCrawler
Protocrawler FAQs
What is Protocrawler and what does it do?
Protocrawler is an intelligent fuzz testing solution designed to identify security weaknesses and implementation bugs in software, hardware, and industrial systems. It uses advanced fuzzing techniques to automatically generate thousands of test cases, execute them against your target systems, and analyze the results to uncover vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers. Unlike traditional testing tools, Protocrawler understands protocol structures and can test both IT applications and OT/industrial control systems safely and effectively.
What types of vulnerabilities can Protocrawler discover?
Protocrawler uncovers a wide range of security vulnerabilities and implementation flaws including:
- DoS vulnerabilities – messages that cause devices to reset or crash
- Authentication bypass – missing or improperly validated authentication data
- Authorization failures – unauthorized data changes where only read access should be permitted
- Memory corruption – buffer overflows exposing old stack content
- Protocol non-compliance – deviations from specifications that create security risks
- State machine issues – invalid messages leading to indeterminate system states
- Information disclosure – unintended data leakage in error responses
Protocrawler is particularly effective at discovering vulnerabilities in industrial protocols (Modbus, DNP3, EtherNet/IP) and custom protocol implementations where traditional security tools struggle.
How long does it take to implement Protocrawler and see results?
Most organizations achieve initial testing results within the first week of implementation. Protocrawler’s intelligent test generation automatically creates optimized test configurations based on your target systems, eliminating weeks of manual test case development. The intuitive GUI and pre-configured test generators mean your team can start executing thousands of tests immediately. For continuous assurance programs, Protocrawler integrates seamlessly into existing test management systems and workflows, typically within 2-4 weeks for full integration.
Can Protocrawler test our systems safely without causing operational disruption?
Yes. Protocrawler is specifically designed for safe testing of operational systems, including industrial control systems and critical infrastructure. It allows you to tailor the level and structure of malformations to suit your test target, pause and modify testing configurations mid-test, and monitor testing progress in real-time. This safety-first approach enables comprehensive vulnerability discovery without risking production operations a critical capability for OT environments where downtime can cost millions per hour. Protocrawler’s detailed protocol understanding ensures tests remain within safe operational boundaries.
How does Protocrawler support compliance and certification requirements?
Protocrawler aligns with certification requirements including IEC 62443, NERC CIP, and other industrial cybersecurity standards. It provides comprehensive evidence gathering for debugging and traceability of testing coverage essential for regulatory audits. The platform generates customizable reports that demonstrate continuous improvement and document security testing activities. You can brand reports for internal risk owners or external auditors, and compare results over time to show security posture improvements. Protocrawler’s systematic approach to vulnerability discovery provides the documented assurance that compliance frameworks require.