Kali Linux 2025.4 Released: New Hacking Tools, Desktop Updates, and Wayland Support

Kali Linux has released version 2025.4, its final update of the year. This release introduces three new hacking tools, desktop environment improvements, and enhanced Wayland support. Whether you are a penetration tester, security researcher, or cybersecurity enthusiast, this update brings valuable additions to your toolkit.

What is New in Kali Linux 2025.4

New Security Tools

Kali 2025.4 adds three new tools to its already extensive arsenal:

• bloodyAD – An Active Directory privilege escalation framework for attacking Windows domains
• certi – A tool for Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS) enumeration and abuse
• mssqlpwner – A comprehensive Microsoft SQL Server penetration testing tool

Desktop Environment Updates

The release includes significant updates to both supported desktop environments:

Xfce Desktop:

• Updated to Xfce 4.20
• Improved panel plugins
• Better HiDPI scaling support
• Enhanced file manager performance

GNOME Desktop:

• Updated to GNOME 49
• New quick settings redesign
• Improved Wayland session stability
• Better multi-monitor support

Enhanced Wayland Support

Kali 2025.4 continues the push toward Wayland adoption with:

• Better compatibility with security tools under Wayland
• Improved screen capture for demonstrations
• Fixed keyboard input issues in certain tools
• X11 remains available for tools requiring it

How to Upgrade to Kali 2025.4

If you are already running Kali Linux, upgrading is straightforward:

sudo apt update
sudo apt full-upgrade -y
sudo reboot

To verify your version after upgrading:

cat /etc/os-release
# or
lsb_release -a

Fresh Installation

For new installations, download the ISO from the official Kali website. Available images include:

• Installer images – For dedicated Kali installations
• Live images – Boot without installing
• Virtual machine images – Pre-configured for VMware and VirtualBox
• ARM images – For Raspberry Pi and other ARM devices
• WSL images – For Windows Subsystem for Linux

Tool Highlights: bloodyAD

The new bloodyAD tool deserves special attention. It is designed for Active Directory penetration testing and includes capabilities for:

• LDAP enumeration and modification
• ACL abuse and privilege escalation
• Shadow credentials attacks
• Resource-based constrained delegation
• Group membership manipulation

Example usage:

# Enumerate domain information
bloodyAD -d domain.local -u user -p password get info

# Add user to a group
bloodyAD -d domain.local -u user -p password add groupMember "Domain Admins" targetuser

Kali on ARM Devices

Kali 2025.4 continues to support a wide range of ARM devices:

• Raspberry Pi 5, 4, 3, and Zero 2 W
• NVIDIA Jetson devices
• Pine64 devices
• Various Android devices via Kali NetHunter

Important Notes

Legal Disclaimer: Kali Linux is designed for security professionals. Only use these tools on systems you own or have explicit written permission to test. Unauthorized access to computer systems is illegal in most jurisdictions.

Conclusion

Kali Linux 2025.4 is a solid year-end release that continues the distribution dedication to providing security professionals with cutting-edge tools. The new AD-focused tools reflect the importance of Active Directory security in modern enterprise environments. Combined with desktop improvements and better Wayland support, this release makes Kali an even more capable platform for security testing.

Download Kali Linux 2025.4 from the official website and keep your security toolkit up to date.