Both enumerate Linux hosts for privilege-escalation vectors. The practical difference is maintenance and depth: LinPEAS is actively developed with colour-coded output and container/cloud coverage, while LinEnum's default branch has not been updated since 2020. For most modern work, LinPEAS is the better default; LinEnum remains a light, familiar option.
At a glance#
| LinPEAS | LinEnum | |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance | Active (frequent releases) | Default branch last updated 2020 |
| Scope | Linux, Unix, macOS | Linux |
| Output | Colour-coded, ATT&CK-tagged, sectioned | Plain sectioned text |
| Container awareness | Yes (Docker/LXC/containerd, breakout) | Minimal |
| Cloud checks | Yes (AWS/GCP/Azure/…) | No |
| Capabilities checks | Yes | Limited |
| Output volume | Large (tunable with -o/-s) | Moderate |
| Report export | Keyword search; parsers to JSON/HTML/PDF | Optional report file, keyword search |
| Learning curve | Moderate (more to read) | Low |
We avoid made-up numbers like exact runtimes or file sizes; those vary by host, options and release. The comparison focuses on capability and maintenance, which are stable and verifiable.
When to use each#
- Use LinPEAS for current engagements, container/cloud hosts, and when you want highlighted, prioritised output.
- Use LinEnum when you want something tiny and familiar, or as a quick second opinion in a plain-text-only environment.
- Use both occasionally — different tools surface different things, and cross-checking reduces blind spots.
Running LinEnum#
./LinEnum.sh -t # thorough tests
./LinEnum.sh -k password # keyword searchIs LinEnum still maintained?
The default branch has not seen updates since 2020. It still runs, but it will not reflect newer techniques, distros, container or cloud environments.
Is LinPEAS just a bigger LinEnum?
They share a goal but differ in design: LinPEAS adds colour prioritisation, ATT&CK tagging, container/cloud checks, an exploit registry and parsers.
Sources & references
- PEASS-ng (LinPEAS) — reviewed 20260908-dffb9496
- LinEnum repository — maintenance status checked 2026-09-13
- linux-smart-enumeration repository
- pspy repository