Httpx: Include Default Ports (80/443) In Output With A Flag

Httpx is a powerful and versatile command-line tool used for probing and discovering HTTP servers. It's a favorite among security professionals, bug bounty hunters, and system administrators for its speed and efficiency in identifying live web servers. However, the default behavior of httpx omits the display of standard ports 80 and 443 in its output, which can create inconsistencies and challenges when integrating with other tools or workflows. This article delves into the necessity of including default ports in httpx output, proposes a solution, explores alternatives, and highlights the benefits of this enhancement.

The Case for Including Default Ports in Httpx Output

The omission of default ports (80 for HTTP and 443 for HTTPS) in httpx output might seem like a minor detail, but it can have significant implications in various scenarios. When using httpx in conjunction with other tools, such as Nuclei, Naabu, or custom scripts, the absence of explicit port notation can lead to compatibility issues. Many tools expect or even require the inclusion of ports in URLs for proper functionality. Furthermore, when building asset inventories or normalizing data from different sources, the inconsistency in port representation can complicate the process. It is in these cases that including default ports in the output of httpx becomes essential for smooth interoperability and streamlined workflows.

Let’s consider a scenario where you're piping the output of httpx to another tool that expects explicit port notation. Without the default ports included, the downstream tool might misinterpret the URLs or fail to process them correctly, leading to inaccurate results or incomplete data. Similarly, in asset management, inconsistencies in URL formats can hinder the ability to effectively track and manage your online assets. To address these issues, a mechanism to include default ports in httpx output is crucial for ensuring consistency and compatibility across different tools and processes.

In essence, the inclusion of default ports in the output of httpx enhances its utility as a versatile tool in a security professional's arsenal. It not only ensures compatibility with other tools but also streamlines the process of asset management and data normalization. The ability to explicitly display ports 80 and 443 provides a more complete and consistent representation of URLs, reducing the potential for errors and improving overall workflow efficiency. By addressing this seemingly minor detail, httpx can become an even more powerful and user-friendly tool for web server probing and discovery.

Proposed Solution: A New Flag for Default Ports

To address the issue of omitted default ports in httpx output, the most straightforward and user-friendly solution is to introduce a new flag. This flag, such as -include-default-ports or -show-all-ports, would instruct httpx to always display the port in the output, even for standard ports 80 and 443. This approach provides users with the flexibility to choose whether or not to include default ports based on their specific needs and workflows. By implementing this new feature, httpx can cater to a wider range of use cases and improve its integration with other tools and systems. This additional flag makes the output consistent and explicit, regardless of the port being used.

The implementation of this flag would be relatively simple, involving a modification to the output formatting logic within httpx. When the flag is enabled, the tool would append the port number to the hostname, even if it's the default port. This ensures that all URLs in the output include a port number, providing a uniform and predictable format. For example, https://example.com would be displayed as https://example.com:443, and http://example.com would become http://example.com:80. This seemingly small change can have a significant impact on the usability and compatibility of httpx in various scenarios.

The advantage of this approach is its simplicity and ease of use. Users can simply add the flag to their httpx command to enable the inclusion of default ports. This eliminates the need for complex workarounds or post-processing steps. Furthermore, it aligns with the principle of providing users with fine-grained control over the tool's behavior, allowing them to tailor the output to their specific requirements. The addition of this flag would enhance the versatility of httpx, making it an even more valuable tool for security professionals, system administrators, and anyone working with web servers.

Expected Behavior with the New Flag

With the -include-default-ports flag implemented, the expected behavior of httpx would be consistent and predictable. Regardless of whether a port is standard or non-standard, it would always be included in the output. This uniformity is crucial for seamless integration with other tools and for maintaining consistency in asset inventories. By adopting this approach, httpx ensures that the output is always explicit and unambiguous, reducing the potential for errors and streamlining workflows. The flag offers a simple yet effective way to customize the output format and cater to specific needs.

Consider the following examples to illustrate the expected behavior:

https://example.com    (currently omits port 443)
http://example.com     (currently omits port 80)
https://example.com:8443  (non-standard port shown)

With the -include-default-ports flag, the output would be:

https://example.com:443
http://example.com:80
https://example.com:8443

As you can see, the flag ensures that all URLs in the output include a port number, regardless of whether it's a standard port or not. This consistent format makes it easier to process the output with other tools and simplifies the task of normalizing data. By providing a clear and explicit representation of URLs, httpx enhances its usability and integration capabilities. The new flag bridges the gap in the existing functionality and brings significant value to the users of httpx.

Considered Alternatives and Their Drawbacks

While adding a flag to include default ports is the most intuitive solution, there are alternative approaches that could be considered. However, these alternatives often involve more complexity and can break simple piping workflows. Two such alternatives are parsing JSON output and reconstructing URLs with jq, and post-processing with sed to append ports. Both of these methods have their drawbacks, which make the flag-based solution a more favorable option. The simplicity and efficiency of the flag-based approach make it the most practical and user-friendly way to address the issue of omitted default ports.

Parsing JSON Output and Reconstructing URLs with jq

One alternative is to use the jq command-line JSON processor to parse the JSON output of httpx and reconstruct the URLs with the default ports. While jq is a powerful tool for manipulating JSON data, this approach adds unnecessary complexity to the workflow. It requires users to write and maintain jq scripts, which can be time-consuming and error-prone. Moreover, it breaks the simplicity of piping the output of httpx directly to other tools. The added overhead of parsing JSON and reconstructing URLs makes this approach less efficient and less user-friendly than a simple flag.

Post-processing with sed to Append Ports

Another alternative is to use the sed stream editor to post-process the output of httpx and append the default ports. This approach involves using regular expressions to identify URLs without explicit port numbers and adding the appropriate port. However, sed scripts can be complex and difficult to maintain, especially when dealing with various URL formats and edge cases. Like the jq approach, post-processing with sed adds an extra step to the workflow and makes it less streamlined. This workaround may also be less reliable, as regular expressions can sometimes fail to handle all possible URL variations correctly.

In summary, while these alternatives are technically feasible, they introduce additional complexity and potential pitfalls. The flag-based solution provides a more direct, efficient, and user-friendly way to include default ports in httpx output. It avoids the need for complex scripting or post-processing, making it the preferred approach for most users.

Benefits of Including Default Ports in Httpx

Implementing a flag to include default ports in httpx output offers numerous benefits, primarily improving consistency and compatibility. Explicit port notation is often required by other tools in security workflows, and it ensures smooth data normalization for asset management. The inclusion of this feature enhances the overall utility and versatility of httpx, making it a more powerful tool in various contexts. This enhancement not only simplifies workflows but also reduces the likelihood of errors and inconsistencies in data processing.

Improved Consistency in Output

By always displaying the port, even for standard ports 80 and 443, httpx provides a consistent output format. This consistency makes it easier to process the output with other tools and scripts, as there is no need to handle different URL formats. A uniform representation of URLs ensures that all tools receive the expected input, leading to more reliable and predictable results. This improved consistency is a key advantage of including default ports in the output.

Enhanced Compatibility with Other Tools

Many security tools and scripts expect or require explicit port notation in URLs. By including default ports, httpx becomes more compatible with these tools, allowing users to pipe the output directly without the need for post-processing. This seamless integration streamlines workflows and reduces the effort required to use httpx in conjunction with other tools. The enhanced compatibility makes httpx a more versatile and valuable tool for security professionals and system administrators.

Streamlined Asset Management

When building asset inventories, it's crucial to have a consistent representation of URLs. Including default ports ensures that all URLs in the inventory have the same format, making it easier to track and manage online assets. This standardization simplifies data normalization and reduces the risk of errors. By providing a uniform URL format, httpx facilitates more effective asset management and contributes to better overall security posture.

In conclusion, the benefits of including default ports in httpx output are substantial. From improved consistency and enhanced compatibility to streamlined asset management, this feature significantly enhances the utility and versatility of httpx. By adopting this enhancement, httpx becomes an even more valuable tool for security professionals and anyone working with web servers.

Conclusion

The addition of a flag to include default ports in httpx output is a simple yet impactful enhancement that addresses a critical need for consistency and compatibility. By providing a clear and explicit representation of URLs, httpx becomes more versatile and user-friendly. The proposed solution eliminates the complexities associated with alternative workarounds and seamlessly integrates with existing workflows. This enhancement not only streamlines processes but also reduces the potential for errors, making httpx an even more indispensable tool for security professionals and system administrators. Embracing this improvement will undoubtedly elevate the efficiency and reliability of httpx in diverse scenarios.

For further reading on web security best practices and tools, you can visit the OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project) website.