Sunday, October 18, 2026

Kali Linux 2019.3 Released With New Hacking Tools, Helper Scripts and Metapackages

Kali Linux 2019.3 released with updates in kernel version, new NetHunter features, changes with ARM packages and Cloudflare integration for repositories.

The Kali Linux is the #1 Best Operating system for Ethical Hacking and Penetration testing Distribution, it was developed by Offensive Security.

What’s Included with Kali Linux 2019.3 Release

Kali Linux started using Cloudflare CDN for hosting repository and to distribute content to users through Cloudflare.

With the inclusion of Cloudflare mirrors, now your downloads won’t drag for hours. According to Cloudflare, after their CDN inclusion, the “Performance is great, and with a cache hit rate of over 97%.”

“If you notice the kali.download domain appearing on a screen when you run apt update, this means you’re using CloudFlare’s services.​”

A new status page was introduced, which details how the kali sites, Contributed mirrors, Kali hosted mirrors and Kali download sites are responding.

Metapackages

With Kali Linux 2019.3, more detailed changes included with kali Metapackages, Kali 2019.3 comes with one additional image.

1. Kali-Linux-default – tools we believe are essential to a penetration tester
2. Kali-Linux-large – for penetration testers who have a wider set of non-standard/common situations
3. Kali-Linux-everything – for those who want it all (and without Internet access during the assessment)

“With the switchover to GitLab (read more here), we will soon begin accepting community package submissions.” This movelet anyone to submit updates for packages or to submit a new complete tool package.

With the inclusion of Helper Scripts, kali Linux put’s an end to “command not found” response message. Now by just typing the package name, you can get a brief description about package and directory listing.

New Tools & Updates with Kali Linux 2019.3

Kali Linux 2019.3 comes with updates for following tools Burp Suite, HostAPd-WPE, Hyperion, Kismet, and Nmap.

A new Hacking tool Amass was included by default, the tool used by security professionals to perform network mapping of attack surfaces and perform external asset discovery.

NetHunter Images

Kali Linux 2019.3
NetHunter new Logo (Credits: Kali Linux)

Now you can choose to have NetHunter without using Google play, you can get the packages from NetHunter store.

NetHunter now supports for new Android partition layouts, it is not required to have one boot partition and one recovery partition anymore.

NetHunter team published 4 additional images to try NetHunter on following devices

LG V20 International Edition
Nexus 5X
Nexus 10
OnePlus 7 (Our new flagship device!)

This release includes supports for Pinebrook, Gateworks Ventana and RaspberryPi  4. also the update including accidentally dropped Bluetooth firmware.

Kali Linux 2019.2 Download

If you already have a Kali installation you’re happy with, you can easily upgrade using the following commands.

root@kali:~# apt update && apt -y full-upgrade

Also, you can find the Kali Linux 2019.2 ISOs and Torrents on the Kali Linux download page. For virtual machine and ARM images, you can refer to the Offensive Security Download Page.

After the update you can verify the installation using the following command

root@kali:~# grep VERSION /etc/os-release

Recommended reviewing our Kali Linux Tutorials page which covers dozens of Kali Linux Tools.

Also Learn The Complete Kali Linux Tools in Kali Linux Operating System.

Gurubaran
Gurubaran
Gurubaran is a co-founder of Cyber Security News and GBHackers On Security. He has 10+ years of experience as a Security Consultant, Editor, and Analyst in cybersecurity, technology, and communications.

Hot this week

How To Access Dark Web Anonymously and know its Secretive and Mysterious Activities

What is Deep Web The deep web, invisible web, or...

How to Build and Run a Security Operations Center (SOC Guide) – 2023

Today’s Cyber security operations center (CSOC) should have everything...

Russian Hackers Bypass EDR to Deliver a Weaponized TeamViewer Component

TeamViewer's popularity and remote access capabilities make it an...

Web Server Penetration Testing Checklist – 2026

Web server pentesting is performed under three significant categories: identity,...

ATM Penetration Testing – Advanced Testing Methods to Find The Vulnerabilities

ATM Penetration testing, Hackers have found different approaches to...

Hackers Use ConnectWise SkyKick Credentials to Access Microsoft 365, Halting Cloud Backups

Attackers abused compromised ConnectWise Cloud Backup credentials to access...

Anthropic’s Claude AI Uncovers Origins of NSA-Provided Cryptographic Keys After 25 Years

Anthropic says an internal Claude research model reconstructed how...

OpenBSD Kernel Flaw Dating Back 37 Years Enables Local Privilege Escalation to Root

A newly disclosed OpenBSD kernel exploitation chain combines a...

GhostAction Hackers Hide Credential-Stealing Malware in Fake Font Files Across 94 GitHub Repositories

GhostAction attackers have expanded their GitHub credential theft campaign...

SideCopy Hackers Target Indian Organizations With ReverseRAT Malware to Steal Data

Indian authorities have warned that SideCopy hackers are targeting...

New GhostBat Android Malware Targets 60 Banking and UPI Apps to Steal PINs

A new GhostBat RAT variant targets 60 Android financial...

New ROMULUS Malware Platform Uses Six Servers to Deliver Multiple Malicious Payloads

ROMULUS, a shared ClickFix delivery platform operating across six...

Related Articles

Recent News