Pros of impacket

• Identical repository content and functionality
• Same active development and maintenance
• Equivalent community support and contributions

Cons of impacket

• No unique disadvantages compared to the other repository
• Identical potential security vulnerabilities
• Same learning curve for new users

Code comparison

Both repositories contain identical code, as they are the same project. Here's a sample from both:

class SMB(PacketSocket):
    def __init__(self, remote_name, remote_host, my_name=None, host_type=nmb.TYPE_SERVER, sess_port=445, timeout=None):
        PacketSocket.__init__(self, timeout)
        self._remote_name = remote_name
        self._remote_host = remote_host
        self._my_name = my_name
        self._sess_port = sess_port
        self._host_type = host_type

As the repositories are identical, there are no meaningful differences to compare in terms of code structure, style, or functionality.

Pros of CrackMapExec

• More user-friendly and streamlined for pentesting workflows
• Includes built-in modules for common attack scenarios
• Offers a more comprehensive suite of post-exploitation tools

Cons of CrackMapExec

• Less flexible for custom protocol implementations
• Smaller community and fewer contributors
• More focused on Windows environments, potentially limiting cross-platform usage

Code Comparison

CrackMapExec example:

from crackmapexec import connection
conn = connection.Connection('192.168.1.100', 'username', 'password')
conn.login()
conn.execute('whoami')

Impacket example:

from impacket.smbconnection import SMBConnection
conn = SMBConnection('192.168.1.100', '192.168.1.100')
conn.login('username', 'password')
conn.executeRemote('whoami')

Both libraries provide similar functionality for connecting to and interacting with remote systems. However, CrackMapExec offers a more abstracted interface tailored for pentesting, while Impacket provides lower-level access to network protocols, allowing for more customization but requiring more detailed implementation.

Pros of Responder

• Specialized focus on network poisoning and NTLM credential capturing
• User-friendly command-line interface for quick setup and execution
• Built-in HTTP/SMB/MSSQL/FTP/LDAP rogue authentication servers

Cons of Responder

• Limited scope compared to Impacket's broader functionality
• Less flexibility for custom protocol implementations
• Fewer options for low-level network manipulation

Code Comparison

Responder (Python):

def start_responder():
    servers = [
        HTTP, SMB, MSSQL, FTP, LDAP
    ]
    for server in servers:
        thread = Thread(target=server.start)
        thread.daemon = True
        thread.start()

Impacket (Python):

def send_smb_packet(connection, packet):
    connection.sendSMB(packet)
    recvPacket = connection.recvSMB()
    return recvPacket

Summary

Responder is a specialized tool for network poisoning and credential capturing, offering a user-friendly interface and built-in rogue servers. Impacket, on the other hand, provides a comprehensive set of tools for low-level network protocol manipulation, offering greater flexibility and broader functionality. While Responder excels in its specific use case, Impacket is more versatile for various network-related tasks and custom implementations.