The cybersecurity community has received a significant update with the release of Parrot Security OS 6.4, marking what developers indicate will be the final iteration of the 6.x branch.
This latest version delivers substantial improvements to the popular security-focused Linux distribution, featuring updated penetration testing tools, enhanced system performance, and streamlined installation processes.
The release represents months of collaborative development work, incorporating feedback from the vibrant security community while laying the groundwork for the upcoming Parrot 7.0 release.
Parrot Security 6.4 introduces significant updates to its core security toolkit, with several industry-standard penetration testing frameworks receiving major version bumps.
The Metasploit Framework has been upgraded to version 6.4.71, providing security professionals with the latest exploits and payload capabilities.
Sliver, the modern command and control framework, received important updates alongside Caido 0.48.1, the web application security testing platform.
The Empire post-exploitation framework has been updated to PowerShell-Empire 6.1.2, while Starkiller 3.0.0 provides an enhanced graphical interface for Empire operations.
Network security testing capabilities have been strengthened with NetExec 1.4.0 and airgeddon 11.50.
The system now includes updated wordlists through SecLists 2025.2 and SecLists-lite 2025.2, essential resources for password attacks and security testing.
At the system level, Parrot 6.4 runs on Linux kernel 6.12.32, providing improved hardware compatibility and security features.
The Firefox ESR 140.0 browser comes with privacy-focused patches and enhanced security configurations.
Microsoft’s development tools are now officially supported through the Parrot repository, including PowerShell 7.5 and .NET runtime versions 5 through 9.
Installation and Upgrade Procedures
Users can obtain Parrot Security 6.4 through multiple distribution channels designed to accommodate various network environments.
The primary download method utilizes official HTTPS links, while torrent files serve as an alternative for users behind restrictive firewalls.
The torrent implementation includes webseeds that appear as standard HTTPS traffic, effectively bypassing network restrictions that typically block peer-to-peer protocols.
For existing installations, the upgrade process has been streamlined through two APT commands: sudo parrot-upgrade or the traditional sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade.
Users upgrading from Parrot 6.2 or earlier versions should update their GPG keyring to avoid authentication issues during the upgrade process.
The development team strongly recommends performing fresh installations rather than upgrades, particularly for users running significantly older versions.
This approach ensures optimal performance and eliminates potential compatibility issues that may arise from incremental updates across multiple major releases.
Looking Forward: Parrot 7.0 Development
Parrot Security 6.4 represents a transitional release as the development team prepares for Parrot 7.0, which will be based on Debian 13 rather than the current Debian 12 foundation.
This architectural shift will bring modern package versions and enhanced system capabilities to the platform.
The upcoming major release promises significant architectural improvements, including support for various desktop environments and support for the RISC-V processor architecture.
The development team has rewritten core build scripts to enable greater automation in the release process, potentially reducing the time between major updates.
Raspberry Pi users will benefit from kernel 6.12.34 support, while the project’s web infrastructure has been modernized with updates to NextJS and React.
The integration of MUI components with styled-components ensures better maintainability and user experience across Parrot’s web properties.
The Rocket tool has been officially added to the repository and can be installed using sudo apt install rocket, expanding the platform’s capabilities for security professionals and researchers.
Find this Story Interesting! Follow us on Google News, LinkedIn, and X to Get More Instant updates
