| name | perseus:scan |
| description | Use when starting a security assessment to map architecture, entry points, and attack surface (Phase 1 & 2) |
Perseus Scan (Phase 1 & 2)
Overview
This skill executes the Pre-Reconnaissance Methodology of the Perseus framework. It maps the target's digital footprint, internal architecture, and attack surface to build a "Target Knowledge Graph".
Goal: Zero-blind-spot understanding of what exists, how it works, and where it can be attacked.
Methodology:
- Discovery (Parallel): Architecture, Entry Points, Security Patterns.
- Surface Mapping (Parallel): XSS Sinks, SSRF Sinks, Data Flows.
- Synthesis: Comprehensive Code Analysis Report.
Incremental Scan Mode
For large codebases, use incremental scanning to only analyze changed files:
Detection: Check for perseus.yaml with incremental settings:
incremental:
enabled: true
baseline: "main"
If incremental enabled:
- Run
git diff --name-only <baseline>...HEAD to get changed files
- Filter to include only code files (exclude tests, configs)
- Focus analysis on changed files and their dependencies
- Merge with previous cached results from
.perseus-cache/
Incremental Workflow:
git diff --name-only main...HEAD | grep -E '\.(js|ts|py|go|php|rb|java|rs|cs)$'
Execution Instructions
Phase 1: Discovery (Run in Parallel)
Launch these 3 agents simultaneously using a single message with multiple Task tool calls:
- Architecture Scanner:
- "Map application structure, tech stack, frameworks, and critical components. Identify if web app, API, or microservices."
- Entry Point Mapper:
- "Find ALL network-accessible entry points (API routes, webhooks, public functions). Catalog API schema files (OpenAPI, GraphQL). Exclude local-only tools."
- Security Pattern Hunter:
- "Identify authentication flows, authorization mechanisms (RBAC/ABAC), session management, and security middleware. Map the security architecture."
Phase 2: Surface Mapping (Run in Parallel)
Wait for Phase 1 to complete. Then launch these 3 agents simultaneously:
- XSS/Injection Sink Hunter:
- "Find dangerous sinks:
innerHTML, exec, system, eval, SQL queries, file operations. Provide File:Line references."
- SSRF/External Request Tracer:
- "Identify server-side requests: HTTP clients (
fetch, axios), URL fetchers, webhooks. Map user-controllable parameters."
- Data Security Auditor:
- "Trace sensitive data flows (PII, secrets, payments). Identify encryption and storage mechanisms."
Phase 3: Reporting (Synthesis)
Synthesize all findings into deliverables/code_analysis_deliverable.md.
Required Report Structure:
- Scope & Boundaries: Define In-Scope (Network Reachable) vs Out-of-Scope (Local/CLI).
- Executive Summary: High-level security posture.
- Architecture & Tech Stack: Frameworks, patterns, components.
- Authentication & Authorization: Detailed analysis of auth flows and session handling.
- Data Security: Encryption, storage, and sensitive data handling.
- Attack Surface: Detailed list of In-Scope entry points.
- Infrastructure: Secrets management, config, logging.
- Critical File Paths: Categorized list for downstream agents.
- XSS Sinks: List of specific sinks and render contexts.
- SSRF Sinks: List of specific outbound request sinks.
Schema Collection:
- Create
outputs/schemas/ directory.
- Copy all discovered schema files (OpenAPI, GraphQL, JSON Schema) there.
Next Step: Proceed to perseus:audit to analyze identified components for vulnerabilities.